The power of positive recruitment

February 6, 2009 – 1:32 pm by Michael Christel

With patient recruitment woes contributing to almost half of all clinical trial delays, we thought today we would pass along some positive news in this area. After all, the weekend is upon us, and temperatures, at least in the R&D Directions suburbs, are expected to finally, mercifully climb above freezing. Break out the barbeques! Anyway, just got word from patient recruitment provider Praxis that the company’s enrollment program apparently saved a global pharma client 15 months in a trial testing a novel mental heath drug. The study consisted of two protocol programs, and, according to a Praxis release, the company’s comprehensive recruitment campaign delivered an 891% return on investment for one protocol and 539% for the other.

I’m no math whiz, but that seems like a pretty decent bang for the sponsor buck. OK, so what were the driving factors? The Tennessee-based company said it used an upfront protocol feasibility analysis and target audience research to develop a customized marketing campaign to increase study awareness in the communities surrounding the 90 participating clinical research sites. With only 75% of potential sites activating, 97% of total patient screenings and randomizations came from the Praxis-supported sites, executives said. The campaign consisted of direct to patient branded advertising, on-site recruitment materials, and electronic/online strategies.

Praxis also launched a retention campaign for the trial to encourage study compliance and completion by each subject. The result was a 91% retention rate, 30% higher than the industry average for Phase III studies.

For those curious about Praxis’ recruitment approach, R&D Directions associate editor Colette Pilkus is picking the brains of company executives for an upcoming online piece. The story will also discuss Praxis’ recent success in helping accelerate enrollment in a women’s health study, not always the easiest area to find patients.