Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI) and Merck & Co (MSD) have entered a collaboration aimed at increasing patient access to oncology clinical trials at community sites across the US.
The partnership will utilise SCRI’s Accelero delivery model, which is designed to improve both the reach and efficiency of cancer studies.
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MSD and SCRI are seeking to address the increasing complexity of oncology clinical studies, which require more precise patient selection and faster access to new therapies.
The organisations aim to implement new approaches for trial delivery that are efficient, use advanced data methods, and can be integrated within local communities.
MSD Research Laboratories associate vice-president and North America global clinical trial operations head Jennifer Coppola said: “At MSD, we are focused on advancing research to better understand cancer and potential therapeutic approaches.
“By leveraging the Accelero delivery model, we have the potential to reach patients faster, reduce protocol complexity, and make oncology clinical studies more accessible in the communities where patients live.”
The Accelero model employed by SCRI includes accelerated trial site start-up, electronic data transfer systems connecting electronic health records (EHR) and case report forms, and initiatives to boost recruitment.
Collaborations using Accelero have reported trial site activations up to 50% faster than conventional approaches, with enrolment rates 19% higher than the national average of 7%, and 95% fewer changes to data compared to standard processes.
SCRI runs a network comprising around 1,500 oncology physicians, offering access to clinical studies at over 200 sites in more than 20 US states.
The group reports involvement in over 900 first-in-human clinical trials since its formation.
In October 2024, Exelixis and MSD partnered to assess the potential of combining their respective cancer therapies in upcoming trials.
