Contract research organisation (CRO) inVentiv Health Clinical has acquired an equity stake in US-based ‘virtual clinical trials’ firm Mytrus.
Mytrus, which was founded in 2009, has been developing FDA-approved technology that enables people to participate in clinical trials remotely.
While full details of the agreement were not disclosed, inVentiv Health stated that as well as acquiring “significant equity stakes” in Mytrus, it has also established a “strategic commercial relationship” with the firm.
“This partnership blends our shared drive for innovation and our complementary experience from the world of high tech and clinical research,” said Paul Meister, CEO of inVentiv Health.
“The goal is improved trial execution, accelerated time to market and reduced product development costs for our clients.”
Providing they meet the eligibility requirements, participants can submit their data from anywhere, which can both lower campaign costs and improve stakeholder convenience.
“Reducing the overall cost of clinical trials and increasing patient recruitment remain serious issues for sponsors,” explained Ray Hill, president of inVentiv Health Clinical.
“Our partnership with Mytrus will allow us to recruit and retain a broader base of patients more quickly to help meet our clients’ needs.”
Mytrus was brought to public attention in 2011 when it helped Pfizer launch the pharma company’s Remote trials for the overactive bladder drug Detrol LA (tolterodine tartrate).
The trial was ultimately shelved due to a disappointing “rate of on-line patient recruitment”, however, Pfizer vowed to continue to use social media and the internet to boost patient recruitment rates in its clinical trials, despite the failure of the pilot.