Disrupting Clinical Research: A Guide to Streamlining Trials

Imagine this: you’ve developed a new treatment with the potential to transform lives. But getting it to patients feels like scaling Everest—a daunting climb riddled with complexity, bureaucracy, and agonizing delays.

At YPrime’s Innovation Network Gathering, Mike Wenger, CEO and Founder of VersaTrial, compared innovators to mountain climbers and pharma company champions to Sherpas. In this analogy, Mike offers guidance to conquer clinical trials and deliver life-saving treatments faster.

“Innovation exists outside a preferred vendor list.”
– Mike Wenger

In Mike’s Everest analogy, the climber is the innovator brimming with a groundbreaking idea. Reaching the summit requires a Sherpa—a pharma champion or clinical research organization (CRO) who advocates for the climber’s success. Here’s how clinical trial sponsors, like Sherpas, can maximize their impact:

Master the Terrain. Understand internal processes, decision-makers, and potential roadblocks. This foresight prevents surprises and streamlines the climb.

Standardize Gear. Advocate for common industry standards, especially in IT procurement. This eliminates the tedious and confusing questionnaires that slow progress.

Communication and Trust are Oxygen. Keep lines of communication open with your vendors. Provide timely feedback and maintain a tight loop to avoid delays and missed opportunities.