Article 361: European Sites Rate Novartis, AstraZeneca and Merck as Top Sponsors in 2004

• Results of the 2004 CenterWatch European Clinical Investigator Survey to gauge sponsor-European site relationship quality show that Novartis, AstraZeneca and Merck are the top companies rated by the investigative sites with which they work. Sites indicate that the keys to the best sponsor-site relationships include attentive study monitors, realistic protocols and enrollment goals, and good preparation.

Article 362: Duke and Mayo: AHCs as Project Managers

• A not-for-profit academic research organization (ARO) at Duke and a for-profit one at the Mayo Clinic are making waves in the competitive project management market. Advantages for these models include thought leaders’ clinical expertise, worldwide name recognition, and a clientele hungry for a different approach to drug development. If they continue their successes, these AHCs could grab more market share from large and small CRO companies.

Article 363: EU Directive to Cause Dramatic Change in Ethical Landscape

• Ethical review of pharmaceutical trials in Europe is about to undergo a period of dramatic change as the governments of the 15 existing and 10 member states attempt to implement the European Union (EU) directive on Good Clinical Practice (2001/20/EC). But experts are confident that a new system will eventually emerge that can reduce unnecessary delays caused by ethics committees.

Article 364: Eye on: Leukemia

• Annual incidence of leukemia in the United States is 31,000 new cases. CenterWatch has identified a pipeline of 25 drugs in development for leukemia.