Connected trials

Addressing study complexity by meeting clinical trial sites where they are

Clinical trials are becoming increasingly complex. In a 2023 survey, 70% of investigative site staff said conducting studies had become more difficult over the previous five years.

For sponsors, this shows up as delayed decisions, duplicated effort and reduced visibility across their studies.

The challenge is rarely a lack of information. More often, it stems from fragmented processes, disconnected systems and limited access to operational insights at critical decision points.

Many study challenges can be traced back to decisions made during planning and start-up. A small issue introduced early can remain hidden until it becomes a costly delay later in the trial.

While organisations often focus on improving individual processes, lasting improvements require a more connected approach that links study planning, site selection and study conduct.

A central theme of a recent discussion between clinical research leaders from ICON, Advarra and the site community was how sponsors, CROs and technology partners can better align study delivery with the operational realities of research sites.

Research sites operate within established workflows, technologies and resource constraints. Yet they are frequently asked to learn new systems, duplicate data entry or adapt to sponsor-specific processes.

These additional requirements can increase administrative burden and divert attention from what matters most: delivering studies and caring for patients.

In practical terms, this means aligning trial delivery with the technologies and operational patterns already supporting site performance. Rather than asking sites to change the way they work, sponsors and CROs can create stronger collaboration by connecting to existing workflows and enabling information to move more efficiently between stakeholders.

A connected approach starts with better operational intelligence. Understanding site capabilities, performance trends and operational realities earlier in study planning can help sponsors make more informed protocol, feasibility and site selection decisions.

Access to these insights enables teams to identify potential risks sooner, improve planning and strengthen site engagement before studies begin. However, intelligence alone is not enough. Its value depends on how effectively information can flow across the broader study ecosystem.

Through its partnership with Advarra, ICON is helping create a more connected operating environment for sponsors, CROs and sites.

Rather than introducing additional standalone systems, study delivery can be connected to technologies many sites already use. Advarra’s site CTMS, eISF and eSource solutions support more than 50,000 investigators worldwide, including researchers at 90 of the top 125 academic medical centres, 90% of NCI-designated cancer centres and many leading site networks.

Through Advarra Study Collaboration, information can flow securely between site systems and ICON workflows, creating greater transparency while reducing duplication. The result is a shared operational view across study stakeholders.

Oversight improves, administrative burden is reduced and issues can be identified before they affect recruitment, timelines or study performance.

While there is no single solution to the challenges facing modern clinical trials, greater connectivity and better use of operational intelligence represent important steps forward.

As sponsors, CROs and sites continue to explore new ways of working together, aligning study delivery with site workflows and operational realities can be an effective way to improve collaboration and support more efficient study delivery. 
Learn more at iconplc.com/connectedmodel