Clinical Research Strategies

The clinical trial ancillary supplies and equipment universe is a big one and it’s growing. Are you getting the right supplies to your global sites on time? Read on for more information.

The vast universe of ancillary equipment and supplies is made up of a million individual items, all needed in the execution of clinical trials across the globe every single day, and that universe is growing. In its latest study, 360iResearch puts the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of the market at 8.81 percent, growing from 4.21 billion in 2023 to an estimated $7.6 billion in 2030.

 

Global Forecast 2024-2030 (360iresearch.com)

 

Drivers of this growth include:

• The higher standard of proof being applied by the world’s regulatory agencies, which leads to more and larger trials
• The advent of new and innovative equipment and supplies
• The diversity of supplies manufactured to meet local regulatory requirements and import restrictions

Clinical Trial Ancillary Supplies and Equipment Solutions

No one-size-fits-all solutions exist in the clinical trial ancillary supplies and equipment field. Even simple, single items like syringes, needles, and cooler bags present options and decisions to be made.

If your site needs, for example, a centrifuge to execute elements of your clinical trial, you’ll soon learn that a centrifuge is not simply a centrifuge, and figuring that any centrifuge will do is a mistake. A device like a centrifuge is segmented by capabilities, manufacturer, brand, power requirements, and location (think logistics costs, servicing and collections costs, and import and export law). There are hundreds to choose from, and not all are right for your study.

These key categories will drive your decisions regarding the specific ancillary supplies and equipment you need:

And when you consider patient appreciation, comfort, and activity items, the choices grow to include color, size, branded, non-branded, and more.

That’s why we get highly specific with our questions and scope data point collection when we meet with sponsors and CROs regarding their clinical trial supply and equipment needs. While this approach can feel a bit more tedious up front, it ensures that we can procure the right equipment at the right time and deliver it to the right global location on time.

For example, sometimes the protocol or sponsor will require a very specific brand of equipment for conducting a study procedure. While that brand and model number may be available for some of the countries involved in the study, it may not be available to import into other countries due to regulatory restrictions. Knowing which countries are included in the study and understanding the use case for the equipment upfront allows your supplier to make recommendations to ensure you can perform the study as intended. Keep in mind though, that in some cases, the decision is entirely up to the sponsor, as the selection of a supply or device may require compatibility testing was completed in advance.

Clinical Trial Ancillary Supplies and Equipment by the Numbers

Even though we are not the largest supplier of clinical trial ancillary supplies and equipment, the breadth of our support in this category is colossal. I’ve compiled some internal data to show what a company like Imperial can support.

To date, we have supported 28 major categories of ancillary supplies and equipment. Examples include, but are not limited to:

…and 20 additional categories not listed above.

And to give you an idea of what’s out there in the ancillary supplies and equipment universe, we have supported 100+ different product lines. Examples include, but are not limited to:

And more than 70 other product lines and growing.

The universe of unique items we’ve supported goes well into the thousands, and to provide an idea, I have listed some below. (I’m clearly on a “let’s show you what’s out there” kick.) After you take a look, please let me know – do any of the items on the list surprise you? In clinical studies, for every centrifuge and package of IV tubing, there are plenty of lime green backpacks and Jellycat bashful koalas (it’s on the list, I’m not kidding). Really, take a look. I promise it’s only 80 percent of what you’d expect. Well, 95 percent.

And There’s Always Room for More

The list is a mere 400-ish items out of thousands we send to sites annually.

The short story here is that the story isn’t short. The granularity of item types and specifications is seemingly endless. If you prepare for these key factors of variability, you’ll already have a head start in your planning.

The Imperial Advantage

Yes, the clinical trial ancillary supplies and equipment universe is vast and expanding, and staying on top of it gets more difficult every year. But that’s why we’re here. Our experts work with you to review your needs to make sure the correct protocol-compliant ancillary equipment and supplies get to your sites on time. And you will also benefit from our rent or buy options that make managing the process much easier. Please call on us—we are eager to help with your study.

Get Our Free Ebook

 

Click here to download our free ebook, “Ancillary Supplies and Equipment for Clinical Trials, A Project Management Approach.” The ebook explains how to apply a proven and practical step-by-step process to make it easier to identify and implement ancillary supplies and equipment needs for your trials.

 

 

Dan’s Awesome List: Just a Sample of Unique Items