COVANCE AGAIN RANKED #1 BY INVESTIGATORS ACCORDING TO INDUSTRY REPORT
Covance Cites Strong Investigator Relationships as Key to Efficient Clinical Trials |
|
PRINCETON, N.J., April 19, 1999 — Covance (NYSE: CVD) announced today that it was the highest rated contract research organization (CRO) according to a survey of more than 395 clinical investigator sites conducted by CenterWatch, a leading industry trade publication. Of the total number of sites surveyed, Covance's performance was rated "good to excellent" more often than its competitors. Covance was named "best overall" CRO when the CenterWatch Survey was first published in 1997 and retained the top ranking in its most recent poll.
The 1998 study evaluated CRO performance across 24 individual attributes in three categories — general project management, personnel and workstyle, and study specific attributes. Each site was asked to prioritize the attributes — including "organized and prepared," "good protocol design" and "supportive style" — in terms of its importance to a study's success.
"Covance considers forging relationships with its clinical trial sites a top priority," said Harris Koffer, Ph.D., corporate vice president and general manager of Covance Clinical Trials Research & Development. "We believe in forming a "partnership" with our sites, one that encourages clear and open communications, and frequent feedback. Ultimately, this enhances performance, allows studies to start faster and facilitates the rapid collection of clean data."
Covance has initiated a number of programs to strengthen site relationships. These include the addition of site coordinators to build and solidify site relationships, the development of a highly-trained and experienced regional monitor network to ensure high-quality data and effective interactions with sites, and the formation of investigator alliances to expedite the clinical trial process. Covance has formed alliances with more than 300 investigators at 50 sites throughout North America, and is also building an alliance of more than 300 oncology sites in Taiwan, Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore. |
|
|
