Addressing the challenges of data management for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies: introducing Laboratory FSPx
Data currency management for clinical trial laboratory results can be a point of frustration for today’s pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Whether data is coming from a contract research organization (CRO), a central laboratory or third-party laboratories, fulfilling the need for timely availability of clean data based on unique sponsor format/industry requirements has become extremely complex.
As the complexity of today’s studies grow, sponsors are often working with a greater number of laboratories in their studies [GM1]. While these labs are specialists in sample management and generating results, their standard report formats may not be aligned to individual sponsor requirements.
Recognizing this gap between sponsors, their clinical partners and the labs, we have launched Laboratory FSPx, a new solution within its Functional Service Provider (FSPx) offering.
Learn how Laboratory FSPx was created to accelerate the data reconciliation process, drive data currency and accuracy in accordance with key deliverables and help bridge the divide between the sponsor, laboratories and the clinical CRO, ultimately streamlining the delivery of clean data to client specifications.
Meeting a critical need with laboratory FSPx
Laboratory FSPx was first deployed with two leading pharmaceutical companies, which were both experiencing issues with data currency and accuracy specifically in laboratory data management. In addition to providing flexible functional provider services, our FSPx helped them by developing and investing in a robust laboratory data management solution. The new solution incorporated data standards, processes and a uniquely skilled team within FSPx that addressed all of their labs and related clinical sources, delivering data packages uniquely tailored for each clinical trial in their portfolio.
After successfully implementing new laboratory data management processes for these two sponsors, the Laboratory FSPx offering was expanded and made available to all sponsors.
“Based on our lessons learned and positive results from these experiences, we now know how to efficiently help sponsors achieve their data readiness goals,” said Bill Hanlon, PhD, Group President, Clinical Development and Commercialization Services. “This includes techniques to enable faster study start-up by implementing standards, lean processes and blended roles, while partnering throughout the trial and even after its conclusion to ensure all the relevant data is cleaned and available for submission.”
Aligning needs from multiple perspectives
To help sponsors better align their lab data with clinical data requirements, the FSPx team draws on its knowledge of clinical development, the central laboratory and the network of Labcorp specialty labs.
Our teams already understand the varying requirements and perspectives within the lab and clinical CRO [GM2]. We have coupled that knowledge with the experience of our very strong FSPx clinical data management team, which expanded significantly with our acquisition of Chiltern in 2017, and again with new capabilities in 2018 when we acquired Sciformix. Our data management professionals offer a specialized set of cross-functional skills, which are critical to building greater synergy between lab data and clinical data requirements.
Sponsors can now make use of Laboratory FSPx for customized global data solutions that manage laboratory data acquisition, data transfer specifications, data transformation and data reconciliation – the keys to optimizing efficiencies for managing critical laboratory data within a study.
A flexible FSPx solution
Sponsors continue to value increased control and scalability while looking for ways to decrease their cost base for clinical research. Regardless of the CRO or laboratories being used to support a study, sponsors can work with Laboratory FSPx and apply it to their unique situation. The Laboratory FSPx team provides sponsors with a specialized group of highly experienced data managers, external data specialists, and clinical programmers who help clinical teams interface with central labs, local labs and specialty labs, including biomarker and pharmacokinetics labs.
“Whether working in-house or outsourcing, sponsors appreciate the advantages of end-to-end solutions that include their laboratory data management operations,” said Paul Kirchgraber, former MD, Senior Vice President, Clinical Trials Testing Solutions, presently CEO. “With the FSPx portfolio of capabilities, that now includes Laboratory FSPx, we are helping meet the growing demands of the industry with flexible, best-in-class solutions for clinical research.”