Why Some Clinical Research Sites Thrive While Others Struggle

Hero image of Dan Nwosu - VP of Clinical Operations at the Clinical Trials Network

Clinical research sites don’t succeed by accident. Some thrive, consistently enrolling patients and delivering high-quality results, while others struggle to get studies off the ground. In this conversation, Dan Nwosu, Vice President of Clinical Operations at The Clinical Trial Network, shares his rare perspective from working on the ground at research sites, supporting studies from the CRO side, and now overseeing operations across the network.

Dan dives into what makes a great Principal Investigator, why strong teams and operational processes are critical, and how patient-centered execution drives long-term site success. Whether you’re a new investigator, site coordinator, or research professional, these insights reveal what truly separates high-performing clinical research sites from the rest.

How did you get started in clinical research?​

Both of my parents were actively involved on the investigatory side of research, so clinical research was something I was exposed to early on. Seeing firsthand how studies connected science to real people sparked my interest long before I ever thought about it as a career.

My path into clinical research started early and very hands-on. I earned dual degrees in biology and chemistry, and while I was still in school I was introduced to research through academic labs, first working on early childhood language acquisition and later in Alzheimer’s research. Those experiences shaped how I think about research to this day. They taught me the importance of discipline, structure, and scientific curiosity, but also how much consistency and rigor matter if you want a program to actually work.

Over time, my career expanded across almost every part of the clinical research ecosystem. I’ve worked directly at research sites, supported studies from the CRO side, and now oversee operations at the network level. Seeing the process from all of those perspectives has been invaluable. It’s allowed me to understand what truly separates successful sites from those that struggle, not just in theory, but in practice. Strong sites aren’t defined by one role or one process; they’re built by aligning science, operations, and patient-centered execution in a way that’s sustainable over time.

Throughout your career, what reinforced your decision to continue going deeper into the world of clinical research?

One of the most defining moments for me was my time at MetroHealth, working on spinal cord injury studies. That experience completely changed how I viewed the purpose of clinical research. When people hear “spinal cord injury,” they often assume success means walking again, but that’s not what most patients were focused on.

What mattered to them was independence. Being able to use their hands, return to work, take care of themselves, and re-engage in everyday life. Seeing that up close made the impact of research very real. Even small gains in motor or sensory function had a meaningful effect on how someone lived day to day.

That’s what kept pulling me deeper into research. It wasn’t about chasing abstract outcomes or distant breakthroughs. It was about helping people get pieces of their normal lives back. Research creates access, options, and hope, even when progress is incremental. Being part of that process — and building systems that make it work consistently for patients — reinforced that this is where I could make the biggest impact.

You have a very unique perspective having spent years on the site level executing studies and then also having worked for a Contract Research Organization (CRO) like IQVIA. What did that experience teach you?

Honestly, my time at IQVIA really shifted the way I think about research. When you’re at a site, you’re focused on the day-to-day — patient visits, making sure everything’s ready, that all the consents are in place. That’s important, but it’s a very narrow view. Moving into the CRO world, I had to start thinking about the bigger picture — how do we make this study succeed across multiple sites? What are the barriers keeping enrollment from happening? Are the PIs fully supported? Do their teams have the right tools, the right training?

It really made me see the difference between doing research and enabling research to succeed. Even though I wasn’t in the room with patients every day anymore, everything I was doing was still centered on them. Strong operational processes, proactive support, clear communication — all of that ultimately makes it easier for sites to recruit, retain, and care for patients. Seeing research from both sides — boots on the ground and systems-level operations — gave me a perspective that not many people get, and it really reinforced for me what separates high-performing sites from ones that struggle.

What separates high-performing sites from ones that struggle?

Honestly, it comes down to the team more than anything else. I think a lot of people focus on the PI, but the truth is a great Principal Investigator is only as strong as the staff supporting them. The most successful sites I’ve seen have incredible coordinators, nurses, and research staff who really understand the mission and keep everything moving.

PIs already have so much on their plate — clinical responsibilities, patient care, administrative tasks. Having a team that can take a project and run with it, keep the PI accountable, and make sure all the details are in order is what separates a high-performing site from one that struggles. It’s like a film set — you can have a director with a great vision, but if your crew isn’t solid, the whole project can fall apart.

Beyond staffing, it’s also about processes. High-performing sites know how to manage workflow, handle regulatory requirements, keep communication clear, and anticipate barriers before they become problems. They’re proactive, not reactive. And most importantly, everything they do is patient-centered — whether it’s recruitment, retention, or day-to-day study execution, the patient experience drives how the site operates.

At the end of the day, strong people plus strong processes equals strong sites. If either piece is missing, you’re going to struggle. It’s that simple, and it’s why investing in your team and your operations is non-negotiable if you want sustainable success.

What advice do you have for physicians who are new to clinical research?​

If you’re a physician who’s new to research, the biggest thing I’d say is: know what you don’t know. You’ve got to be willing to lean on the people around you — your site staff, your research coordinators, and teams like ours at CTNx who are here to support you every step of the way. Strong leadership isn’t about knowing everything; it starts with good followership. You learn by watching, asking questions, and trusting the expertise of the people who’ve been there before you.

Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, either. Clinical research is a learning environment, and it’s supposed to be. The more questions you ask, the more you engage, and the more open you are to feedback, the stronger your site and your program will become. It’s all about building the right team, learning together, and keeping patient care at the center of everything you do.

Can you share a little bit about how your operations teams at CTNx support sites that join the network?​

At CTNx, our operations model is really built around supporting sites at every stage, from day one through full study execution. We’ve structured our teams so that no site feels like they’re figuring it out alone.

Our Research Integrity team, led by Whitney Heath, makes sure sites stay on top of regulatory compliance, audit readiness, and proper study conduct. They’re the go-to resource for questions on submissions, monitoring, or just making sure everything is being done correctly. We’re proud of our Compliance team, whose meticulous approach ensures every “i” is dotted and every “t” is crossed—resulting in zero non-compliance letters across our 85+ sites.

Then there’s Data Operations, led by Seth Brine. Their focus is on data quality and accuracy before anything even reaches the EDC. They clean the data, review entries, and help sites avoid common pitfalls. That proactive approach reduces errors down the line and makes reporting and analysis smoother.

Finally, our Site Engagement team, led by Kevin Ignasiak, is the first point of contact for new sites. They guide sites through onboarding, make sure staffing is in place, confirm documentation is complete, and help set operational workflows. Essentially, they make sure a site is ready to hit the ground running before studies even start.

When all three teams are working together, sites get more than support — they get a framework that helps them run efficiently, focus on patients, and ultimately succeed. That’s really what separates high-performing sites from the rest: people who are prepared, supported, and aligned around the same goals.

Together, these teams remove friction, reduce risk, and help sites focus on what matters most: enrolling and caring for patients.

What makes CTNx different, and what’s your parting message for sites considering joining the network?

Honestly, what sets CTNx apart is that we treat every site like a partner, not just a location on a list. We’re not here to just hand you a protocol and walk away. We’re in it with you — helping you build the systems, staff, and processes that actually make your studies succeed. That partnership is what drives strong site performance and ultimately better outcomes for patients.

My message to any site thinking about joining CTNx is simple: be ready to engage, and you’ll get just as much back. Research isn’t just about funding or getting a study done — it’s about learning, growing, and making a real impact for patients. If you’re willing to invest in the process, ask questions, and work with a team that’s here to support you every step of the way, you’ll see results. Sites that succeed aren’t perfect from day one — they succeed because they have the right people, the right support, and the right systems in place. That’s what makes sites high-performing, and that’s exactly what we aim to deliver at CTNx.

CTNx Operations: The Secret to Running a Successful Research Site

Blog Post banner for an interview with CTNx's Operations team and how they provide support to clinical research sites.

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about CTNx’s Operations Team and your primary objective?

Mikayla: Absolutely. The Operations Team at CTNx serves as the daily support system for our research sites. We are a consistent point of contact that Investigators and Coordinators can rely on throughout the day—whether they have protocol-specific questions, need help navigating study logistics, or simply want a sounding board.

Many sites that have come to us with prior research experience have shared that they often felt isolated and experienced delays when trying to get answers directly from sponsors. With CTNx, every site is paired with a dedicated Operations Specialist who is familiar with the protocol and available to provide timely support.

Sophia: Beyond being responsive, our team also takes on a significant portion of the clerical and administrative work—freeing up our sites to focus on what matters most: patient care and clinical execution. Removing this from the site’s workload allows them to see more patients which translates to higher enrollment, and ultimately increased revenue for their research program.

Q: How do you help sites prepare as they take on a new study?

Mikayla:
We play a hands-on role in helping our sites prepare for new studies, starting with a detailed review of the protocol and regulatory requirements. We walk through everything with them, because truly understanding what’s expected is essential to a successful launch. Our goal is to ensure each site is aligned with the protocol and all relevant guidelines from day one.

Sophia:
We also build out the study framework within our Clinical Trial Management System (CTMS), also known as the eSource. This includes mapping out the sequence of study activities and defining the specific data points that need to be captured at each patient visit.

The eSource presents this information in a clear, digestible format, allowing Coordinators to easily read, understand, and comprehend what’s required. It includes protocol-specified instructions and guidelines to help sites prepare thoroughly and ensure that all procedures are in place and ready to go on the day of the visit.

This structured approach makes it easy for Investigators and Research Coordinators to know exactly what tasks need to be completed and what data must be collected for every visit. Without this level of support, sites would have to map things out on their own — which could lead to confusion, disorganization, and compliance risks.

Q: How do you help avoid compliance risks?

Mikayla: A major part of our role is focused on data oversight. We oversee the entered data and source documentation, ensuring everything remains clean, accurate, and aligned with the protocol within the Clinical Trial Management System (CTMS). Minor mistakes can sometimes slip through when source documents are first submitted to us, but our proactive approach allows us to catch and correct those issues before they become larger compliance problems.

Sophia: Essentially, we serve as the primary link between research sites and Sponsors, and ensure strong data management which is critical to a site’s overall success. By maintaining thorough documentation, we also ensure that sites are audit-ready and can provide clear proof of compliance if they were ever to undergo a Sponsor or FDA audit.

Q: Can you share more about how you help free up your sites’ time?

Mikayla: One of the most valuable ways we support our sites is by handling data transcription. During each visit, the Research Coordinator collects important data from the patient, which needs to be entered into two systems: the Clinical Trial Management Software (CTMS) and the sponsor’s Electronic Data Capture (EDC) system.

When a site partners with CTNx, the Coordinator only needs to enter the data once—into our Clinical Trial Management System (CTMS). From there, our team reviews the data for accuracy and compliance (often catching issues early) and then transcribes it into the sponsor’s EDC. This removes a significant administrative burden from the Coordinator’s workload. In fact, several experienced Coordinators who previously had to enter data into both systems have told us CTNx’s data transcription saves them around 1.5 to 2 days per week. That time savings allows them to focus on patient care—ultimately enabling the site to see more patients and generate more research revenue.

Sophia: Another thing on this front that we help with is query resolution. These are follow-up questions that come from the study monitor about study data that has been entered. Because we manage the data transcription process, the number of queries is often cut in half from the start. And when queries do come through, we’re able to resolve about 60% of them without needing to bother the Coordinator or Principal Investigator.

Q: In your opinion, what makes the most successful research sites?

Mikayla: That’s an easy one—strong communication. Our most successful sites consistently keep us in the loop and are responsive. Sites that struggle with communication often face unnecessary delays and have a much harder time achieving success.

At CTNx, we’re a valuable resource for our Research Coordinators and PIs. We provide answers, guidance, and support so that issues can be resolved quickly—often before they need to be escalated to a monitor or sponsor. We also create a safe space where no question is too small or off-limits. Clear, open communication helps everything run more smoothly.

Sophia: To add to what Mikayla shared, we also hold bi-weekly meetings with our Principal Investigators and Coordinators. These calls are efficient—PIs often only need to join for about 15 minutes—but their participation is important. It ensures everyone stays aligned, engaged, and aware of their responsibilities. We already take a large portion of the workload off their plate, so spending that time with us helps deepen their engagement and ownership of the research process.

During these calls, we address and resolve any open issues, reorder supplies, and prepare for upcoming patient visits. It’s one more way we help keep sites proactive, not reactive—and that makes all the difference.

Q: Mikayla, can you share 1-2 success stories from the sites you support?

Multispecialty Site in CA
When I first started working with one of our sites in California, they were really struggling. Documentation was inconsistent, enrollment was low, and communication with the team was poor. Honestly, we weren’t sure they would succeed with their research program. But I had high hopes and believed I could help turn things around. After going on-site and working closely with the team, we saw major improvements. They started enrolling consistently, communication picked up, and they learned how to properly document data and subject information. Today, they’re the top enroller for a pretty large study — a huge turnaround, and I’m really proud of the progress they’ve made.

GI & Neurology Site in SC
One of our sites in South Carolina was another site facing multiple challenges. They were behind on documentation and enrollment, and the PI was worried about finances. I stepped in, provided additional training, visited on-site, and had a candid conversation with the PI and Coordinator about expectations and what needed to change. As a result, they decided to hire an experienced Research Coordinator, which made an immediate impact. Since then, they’ve been enrolling in both specialties — GI and Neuro — and communication and documentation have improved significantly. They now manage over 12 active studies and are even looking to hire a third Coordinator to keep up with growth. It’s been an amazing transformation.

Q: Sophia, can you please share 1-2 success stories from the sites you support?

Dermatology Site in WY
At one site in Wyoming, we had a temperature excursion that could’ve resulted in the investigational product being unusable. I jumped in and within five days, I got everything back on track — handling the temperature logs, documentation, filling out forms, and completing the sponsor’s reports. Because we caught the issue early, the IP stayed suitable for use. That saved the site more than three days of extra work for the Research Coordinator and prevented the destruction of the product. It also meant no patient visits had to be canceled, and no extra IRB reporting was needed. Catching it early really kept the study running smoothly.”

Gastroenterology Site in OH
We had another site in which the sponsor had flagged over 300 protocol deviations that hadn’t been entered throughout the study. I took responsibility and entered all the deviations across three different systems in just one week. This gave the Research Coordinator a week of their time back in which they could focus patient visits and enrollment without delay. It was a huge relief for the site, and it helped keep the study moving forward.

Gastroenterology Site in FL
This site was really struggling — they had a new Coordinator every month, lots of protocol deviations, and many screen failures. I went onsite and trained the team, worked closely with site management to create a strong workflow, and tackled operational challenges like organizing visits, fixing fridge and freezer issues, and cleaning up the research space. Now, the site has two long-term Coordinators, five active studies with four more coming up, and a sister location ready to conduct research. They are now one of our top enrollers for pretty much every study the participate in.

Q: What advice do you have for PIs and Coordinators working with CTNx?

Mikayla’s Advice:

  • The right team matters. Having qualified and dedicated staff is essential to conducting successful research and ensuring studies stay on track.
  • Clear communication drives success. Stay in regular contact with CRAs, study teams, and CTNx. Strong communication between all parties leads to smoother execution and better outcomes.
  • Know your patient population. Make sure your site has access to the right patients for the studies you’re applying for — this helps maximize everyone’s time and increases the chances of enrollment success.

Sophia’s Take:

  • Communication is key. We’re here to support you — the more you engage with our team, the better we can guide you in building a successful research program.
  • Preparation matters. Before seeing real patients, take time to prepare for visits, ask questions, and run through test scenarios. It makes a big difference.
  • Training and onboarding can feel overwhelming at first, but they’re designed to lay the foundation for your long-term success with CTNx.

Big Shoutout to Sophia and Mikayla for breaking it down! Thanks for sharing your insights on how CTNx supports its research sites and what it takes to build a successful research program.

Helping Clinical Research Sites Start Strong: Meet Kevin Ignasiak, CTNx’s Site Engagement Officer

Blog post image about Helping Clinical Research Sites Start Strong: Meet Kevin Ignasiak

First Things First

Starting a clinical research site is no small feat. Between startup documents, regulatory hurdles, and the long wait for that first trial, many practices underestimate what it really takes to break into research and stay in it.

That’s where Kevin Ignasiak comes in.

As CTNx’s Site Engagement Officer, Kevin works directly with new research sites to demystify the startup process, set realistic expectations, and lay the groundwork for long-term success. With experience both as a site coordinator and sponsor liaison, Kevin brings a 360-degree view of what it takes to build a reearch site from the ground up!

We sat down with Kevin to talk through the biggest misconceptions new sites have, what to expect during onboarding, and why he believes CTNx is changing the game for private practice physicians who want to get involved in research.

What does a Site Engagement Officer actually do?

“My goal as CTNx’s Site Engagement Officer is to educate, guide, and coach new research sites that join our network. Getting your research staff up to speed, collecting the right credentials, and landing your first study takes time and effort.

I walk sites through this process so they have the best chance of getting their research program off the ground quickly and effectively”

What happens when a site first joins the CTNx network?

“Everything starts with an onboarding call. I use that time to get to know the site and their team, and to walk them through what the first few months will look like.

A big part of my role is setting expectations. A lot of new sites think they’ll be up and running with a study in just a few weeks but that’s just not the case.

After onboarding, CTNx begins collecting required documents like medical licenses, CVs, Good Clinical Practice (GCP) certifications, and preparing the eRegulatory system. Only when those are in place can sites start being submitted for study opportunities.

What’s a feasibility and how does a site get submitted for a study?

“To be considered for a study, a site needs to complete what’s known as a feasibility questionnaire. It outlines a site’s capabilities, credentials, past research experience, and relevant patient population.”

Kevin works directly with sites to gather this information and then handles the actual submission to the sponsor.

“Once we submit the feasibility, we wait. Sometimes responses come quickly, but more often it takes 2 to 4 weeks to hear back.”

What if the sponsor is interested in a site?

“Then we move into the pre-selection visit, or PSV. This is where the sponsor visits the site to assess its facilities, staff, and overall readiness to conduct the study.”

Kevin preps each site for their PSV in advance explaining what questions to expect and how to run a successful tour.

“I also join every PSV and stay for the entire visit, helping answer any sponsor questions about CTNx”

What are the two biggest things you focus on with new sites?

1. Setting Expectations

“It’s important that investigators understand what it really takes to land that first study. It can be a grind, but once you land one, more usually follow. I also explain what CTNx can take off their plate so they don’t feel overwhelmed.”

2. Keeping Investigators Engaged

“PIs have to stay involved. That means oversight of the process, quick responses to study opportunities, and being ready for the next step. Sites that are consistently responsive win more studies—and build more profitable research programs.”

How do you tailor your support for experienced VS naive sites?

Experienced Sites: “Some investigators have run 30–40 trials before. They know what they’re doing. I don’t over manage them they just need us for the heavy administrative lifting. They move fast and come to me as they need.”

Naive Sites: “Newer sites need more hands on help. I spend extra time walking through what’s required, checking in regularly, and making sure they’re not stuck on things like GCP training, SOPs, or feasibility forms.”

“I also try to match my style to the investigator. Some want step-by-step guidance, others just want a checklist and space to do it. It’s all about understanding what they need.”

How long does it usually take to get a site up and running?

“Generally, 6-12 months. The biggest factor is how quickly the site completes onboarding tasks and how engaged the PI is. Sponsors often move fast when they need sites, responsiveness is crucial. If I send you a study and you reply three weeks later, you’re likely out of the running, but if you respond in 24–48 hours, you’ve got a much better shot.”

Kevin also reminds sites not to get discouraged.

“Even if you don’t get selected after a PSV, keep applying. It might take six months to a year to land your first trial.

Stay engaged and you will see results.”

What was it like starting in research without CTNx?

“I wish I had CTNx when I was a coordinator. I had to do everything—regulatory, IRB submissions, redlining protocols, patient outreach, scheduling, visits, labs, audits… you name it.”

Even when Kevin had partial support in later roles, it wasn’t enough.

“CTNx gives you the time to focus on patients and studies instead of paperwork. That translates to better data, more patients helped, and smoother operations all around.”

Do This, Not That : Advice from Kevin

✅ Do

Build a team that’s genuinely interested in research. Make sure everyone understands their responsibilities. Stay committed to patient care it shows, sponsors notice when sites are engaged, professional, and care about outcomes. That’s who they come back to.”

❌ Don’t

Pick a trial just because of the payout or
Assume your coordinator can do it all without support. Then don’t lose sight of your why!

“When I worked on gene therapy trials, I loved the work because it helped patients. When I moved into high volume vaccine trials, it started feeling like a profit machine and that affected how I felt about the job.”

If you could have dinner with anyone in medicine or science, who would it be?

In medicine:

“Dr. Jerry Mendel. I worked with him on gene therapy for SMA and Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy at Nationwide in Columbus. He’s a pioneer with over 50 years of experience and made a massive impact on patients. I’d love to hear more about his journey and how he got into the field.”

In science:

“Louis Pasteur. I’d want to hear about the origin of vaccines and share what they’ve become today. I think he’d be blown away with todays advancements.”

Final Thoughts from Kevin

“If you’re running research or thinking about it take a serious look at CTNx. We help you take on more studies without drowning in admin work.

Investigators in our network are excited because they know how time consuming research can be. We make it easier, and I love working here, I think a lot of other research professionals would too.”

Ready to Start Your Research Program?

Kevin’s story says it all, launching a successful research site takes work, but you don’t have to do it alone. CTNx provides the structure, tools, and support to help you go from idea to activation.
Thinking about bringing research to your practice?

Now’s the time!

Reach out to us today and let’s get your program off the ground!

Start Optimizing Your Research

CEO Interview Dr. Keith Friedenberg

12 Questions with the Clinical Trials Network’s Founder & CEO –Dr. Keith Friedenberg

Dr. Keith Friedenberg, thank you for sitting down with us. How did you get started with research?

About 20 years ago I was approached by a pharmaceutical company to participate in a trial evaluating a higher dose PPI for heartburn. I had done a little bit of research during my fellowship, but nothing after. Fortunately, I had a friend who was a clinical trial nurse at a large institution in her previous career and was looking for part-time work. The timing aligned perfectly, and everything just seemed to fall into place.

We know you love research. Was that the case from the start?

It was. I found it extremely interesting as we were exploring drugs and devices that ended up being viable treatment options for indications that never had a treatment. It was exciting to be part of clinical advancements, seeing the impact on patients who finally found relief, as well as helping bring a bunch of new treatment options to market. 

In addition to the emotional and intellectual sides of research that I found stimulating, there was the business side. Adding research to our practice also resulted in a substantial new revenue steam that has aided in the overall growth of my practice over the years.

You currently have several partners at your practice doing research. Did they start at the same time as you or follow suit after?

Initially, I was working solo. When my first partner took interest and came on board, my research experience set me apart from other job opportunities he had encountered. That has turned into consistent trend over 20 years that almost all interviewees had a higher preference to our practice because of the uniqueness of having a robust clinical trials program in the private practice setting.

Today I have 4 partners who are physicians that are all participating in research and 5 research coordinators. At any point in time, we might have 20-25 studies going at our practice.

What are some of the larger challenges you ran into when you were starting the research program at your practice?

When I originally started my research program our research coordinator handled pretty much everything relating to research. On top of seeing patients the coordinator would also handle the regulatory paperwork, compliance, data entry into the Sponsor’s electronic data capture (EDC) system, sponsor invoicing/payment reconciliation, marketing and more.

When we were starting out and only had 1-2 studies going, that workload was fine for a single coordinator. When we started getting 3-4 trials at a time a single coordinator wasn’t enough.

Several years in I brought on Chris Petek who came from an allergy clinical trials network. Chris introduced me to a consolidated model in which we delineated tasks, and it worked quite well. One person does the regulatory, one person does the compliance, one person does the electronic data capture (EDC) upload, another person handles the sponsor invoicing/reconciliation and so on. 

Out of the model Chris and I formed the Clinical Trials Network. We thought “what if we could have a team that offloads each of these tasks for a research site”. Not only would it be a plug-and-play model that would allow them to obtain instant research infrastructure, but it would also significantly reduce the load of work, making it easier for a practice to add on a research arm. 

Today I have 4 partners who are physicians that are all participating in research and 5 research coordinators. At any point in time, we might have 20-25 studies going at our practice.

Were there any other challenges that you ran into when you were trying to get up and running.

Yes, the biggest challenge in research is often finding the patients. There is no predictable pattern, so there are times you are too busy or not busy enough, particularly on the coordinator side. Another challenge is the performance of the coordinators, you must have a coordinator that has a good head on their shoulder, is engaged, and can stay on top of things, because their work is such a crucial role. 

Delayed payments are also a very common frustration. You have to accept the fact that you earned it, and you’ll get 100% of what you earned. You may not get it as soon as you want, and that can be frustrating for new investigators.

What initially inspired you to start the Clinical Trials Network?

Another big challenge is getting to a critical mass in clinical trials. When we started out the industry was much more “mom and pop” back then, and it was hard to get on the sponsors’ radars. By the time you found out about trials, they were already up and running. It took a lot of work going on websites, approaching companies you read about, and many calls to find trial opportunities. You really had to carve out a path to create opportunities. Overall, it felt like everyone in the industry was recreating the wheel and it’s still that way today. I started to think “Why can’t we do this together?”

Another major factor was a flaw with the Sponsor’s approach, only experienced sites were brought opportunities and new research sites were excluded. For example, the IBD space has a vast variety of medicines to successfully treat IBD and trials kept coming for new treatments. The problem with only using experienced sites is that you start running out of patients when going to the same research sites over and over. We needed to give new sites a chance to get involved.

Supporting and recruiting new physicians also created greater access to other patients that also need new treatment options. Ultimately, helping trials flow faster and better!

What About CTNX sets it apart from other trial management partners?

CTNx offers one of the widest arrays of trial management and support services, we go beyond just finding trials and negotiating budgets. We have a “boots on the ground” approach and provide constant communication and training. In addition, our compliance program and team is amongst the best. They provide oversight of the work that’s being done and make the process go smoothly and efficiently from the monitoring side. We keep the data pristine for our CROs. Compliance also serves as a training tool for coordinators and physicians. 

I firmly believe we are one of the best networks for new physicians to affiliate with. From a financial perspective, we deliver the highest percentage of dollars in the practice’s pocket. And in the end, we’re physician-founded. We think through the eyes of the PI’s just as if we were the ones performing the research.

What has been the most interesting or impactful study you have taken part in your career?

Well, I’d say there have been multiple trials that have been interesting. Particularly I enjoyed the vibrating capsule for constipation, a first-of-its-kind therapy that helps to stimulate colonic motility from inside the body that was approved back in 2022.

I enjoy my studies in IBD, especially the earlier ones that shook up the traditional treatments and allowed me to witness patients get dramatically better. The large volume screening trials are great as we can engage people without diseases into research. Those are just a few off the top of my head. 

Are there any specific impacts you felt you have made during your research experiences.

I think the biggest impact is with the more difficult-to-treat diseases. In my opinion, participating in IBD trials for patients with severe IBD and then monitoring them through a long-term extension study is fulfilling. It’s especially rewarding considering the daily impact I felt I was able to make on many people’s lives.

What changes would you like to bring to the industry?

To start I would focus on communications between the sponsors, CROs, and the sites. I would make communications streamlined, simplify the financial processes, and ensure timely payments to the sites completing the work. Unfortunately, delays in payments can hinder site and physician engagement.

Also, the inclusion and exclusion criteria is very challenging, and while much of that is directed by the FDA with good reason, it makes recruitment harder and completion of trials within a reasonable timeline. In selected instances, if practicality could come into play more with the inclusions and exclusions. That would ease the path forward.

Additionally, I’d like to see patients get compensated more. From my experience offering clinical trial opportunities to thousands of patients, the value of someone’s time in today’s world has gone up significantly, and the stipends which are designed to compensate them for their time is too minimal to appropriately thank someone for giving up their time.

How do you think the industry will change in the coming years?

I think like most industries, it will continue its evolution from a “mom-and-pop” industry to a consolidated industry of larger entities. Essentially there will be large companies who own or manage multiple sites (perhaps private equity-backed).

Also, I think that it will continue to get harder to find the patients who fit inclusion and exclusion criteria. Overall, finding patients is expected to become more demanding, and the effectiveness and sustainability of sites relies heavily on patient recruitment.

Do you have any advice you'd want to share for any physicians interested in getting started with research?

I truly believe in the benefit of collaborating with a network, where you are a part of a larger team. This approach saves time that would have been spent on building your own infrastructure and gaining access to opportunities that might otherwise take years to secure and discourage you from hanging in there.

I would make sure that you have an excellent coordinator and be patient with your willingness to learn. Last, be open and accept the guidance from the individuals in the industry that you’ll meet along the way.

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The Clinical Trials Network (CTNx) Partners with SelectIQ to Revolutionize Patient Recruitment for Clinical Research Sites

The Clinical Trials Network (CTNx) Partners with SelectIQ to Revolutionize Patient Recruitment for Clinical Research Sites

 

The Clinical Trials Network (CTNx) has forged a strategic partnership with SelectIQ to transform patient recruitment for clinical research sites. SelectIQ offers an innovative software that seamlessly integrates with a practice’s Electronic Medical Records (EMR) system, harnessing the power of artificial intelligence to analyze patient records. This technology flags individuals whose medical history aligns with the criteria for participation in a clinical trial, ranking them based on their likelihood of participation.

CTNx enhances this process by providing additional support to research sites. Their team conducts outreach, calling and pre-screening potential study candidates to ensure they meet the necessary qualifications. Utilizing an Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved script, qualified candidates are identified and referred to the research site’s study coordinator for an in-person screening and study enrollment.

Christopher Petek, Chief Operating Officer of The Clinical Trials Network, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “Patient enrollment is paramount to the success of any study and research site. We are excited to leverage this cutting-edge technology to empower our research sites, streamlining the identification and enrollment of qualified patients in clinical trials.”

Ethan Bond, Chief Executive Officer of SelectIQ, shared that “SelectIQ empowers healthcare providers to connect their patients with relevant clinical trial opportunities. CTNx is a natural collaborator given their success bringing trials into community healthcare practices. We’re proud to support their important work.”

Research sites keen on optimizing their clinical trial enrollment processes can learn more about CTNx’s offerings by visiting their website at www.thectnx.com or requesting to schedule a live demo through the following online form

 

About CTNx

The Clinical Trials Network (CTNx) is a network of private practice research sites committed to enhancing access and diversity in clinical trials. Since its establishment in 2018, CTNx has facilitated the opening of over 90 research sites spanning various medical specialties, including Gastroenterology, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, Allergy/Immunology, Pulmonology, Neurology/Psychiatry, Cardiology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology, and Women’s Health.

CTNx is renowned for its comprehensive centralized administrative support and its in-house program for identifying and training clinical research coordinators, assisting both novice and seasoned investigators in navigating the clinical trial landscape. For more information, visit www.thectnx.com.

About SelectIQ

SelectIQ is a Provider Activation Platform that reduces burden on healthcare providers who wish to make clinical trial opportunities available to their patients. Founded by industry veterans from data and AI firm Palantir, SelectIQ brings a wealth of expertise in clinical data analytics, security, and governance.

The team has a proven track record of developing robust software solutions for esteemed organizations, including intelligence agencies, academic medical centers, and leading pharmaceutical companies. Notably, SelectIQ’s founders played instrumental roles in crafting the data governance systems safeguarding clinical data within the National Institutes of Health’s COVID research platform and the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS). For more information, visit www.selectiq.com.

Interested in SelectIQ and working with us ? Contact us today!

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The Clinical Trials Network (CTNx) Adopts VersaTrial to Alleviate Tech Overload and Empower Research Teams

image with Christopher Petek the Clinical Trials Newtwork president. Banner with quote. Blue and white.

The Clinical Trials Network (CTNx) Adopts VersaTrial to Alleviate Tech Overload and Empower Research Teams

VersaTrial, the clinical research site enablement and engagement platform, today announced a collaboration with The Clinical Trials Network (CTNx). CTNx has chosen to adopt VersaTrial’s Study Organizer, aiming to elevate research productivity and efficiency across its expansive network of over 75 specialty-based private practice research sites.

VersaTrial will provide CTNx’s research staff with a streamlined solution to consolidate and access important study information such as technology portals, login credentials, and external contacts for each clinical trial. Its intelligent internet browser extension will enable users to quickly reference study-specific information directly and seamlessly within other clinical  technologies like EDC, CTMS, and ePRO systems. 

CTNx will be joining a rapidly expanding global community of research sites, hospitals, and academic medical centers who report increased productivity, reduced frustration, and greater job satisfaction thanks to VersaTrial.

“VersaTrial was specifically designed to reduce the technological burdens often associated with clinical research,” said Mike Wenger, founder and CEO of VersaTrial. “We fully support CTNx’s vision to simplify and make clinical research more accessible for private practices. I’m delighted that our solution can provide CTNx study teams the much-needed extra time to concentrate on accuracy, adherence to protocols, and most importantly, patient care.”

Christopher Petek, President of CTNx, echoed this sentiment: “We’re thrilled about our new partnership with VersaTrial and look forward to rolling out their study organizer to all the research sites in The Clinical Trials Network (CTNx). At CTNx we’re constantly looking for ways to make the lives of clinical research coordinators and investigators easier. VersaTrial does exactly that, helping organize study information which saves time and improves site staff productivity.”

“At CTNx we’re constantly looking for ways to make the lives of clinical research coordinators and investigators easier. VersaTrial does exactly that, helping organize study information which saves time and improves site staff productivity.”


The Clinical Trials Network currently boasts 75 network sites, over 11,000 enrolled patients, partnerships with more than 60 sponsors, and over 400 clinical trials. Their focus areas include Gastroenterology, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, Allergy/Immunology, Neurology, and Women’s Health. 

About CTNx

The Clinical Trials Network (CTNx) is a specialty-based network of private practice research sites dedicated to expanding access and representation in clinical trials. Since its inception in 2018, CTNx has opened over 75 sites with networks in Gastroenterology, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, Allergy/Immunology, Neurology, and Women’s Health. CTNx has built its reputation on assisting naïve investigators through the clinical trial space with its fully integrated centralized administrative support and in-house clinical research coordinator identification and training program. For more information, visit www.thectnx.com.

About VersaTrial

VersaTrial is the all-in-one site portal that lets Sponsors and CROs improve clinical trial speed, quality, and collaboration. Enabling sites to spend more time with patients and less time navigating technology systems unlocks faster trials with fewer mistakes, wider tech adoption, and stronger site relationships. Only VersaTrial’s clinical trial site engagement platform provides Sponsors and CROs with real-time operational insights, bi-directional communication, and access management alerts to ensure measurable partner oversight and quality execution. Learn more at https://www.versatrial.io.

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Virgo and CTNx Partner to Power GI Clinical Trials

Virgo and CTNx Partner. Network of 30+ high-qualify research sites will leverage endoscopy Al platform to expand and accelerate enrollment in gastroenterology clinical trials. Blue and white banner.

Virgo and CTNx Partner to Power GI Clinical Trials

Virgo Surgical Video Solutions, Inc. (“Virgo”) and The Clinical Trials Network (“CTNx”) have today announced a strategic partnership to expand and accelerate the identification, selection, and enrollment of patients in gastrointestinal (GI) clinical trials across CTNx’s expansive network of 30+ GI clinical trial sites, using Virgo’s endoscopy data capture and artificial intelligence platform. Virgo and CTNx is an exciting partnership!

The Clinical Trials Network brings physicians together to create a leading source of high-quality research sites to present to trial sponsors. Virgo’s cloud-based, HIPAA- and SOC-2-compliant platform allows gastroenterologists to automatically record, store, and manage endoscopy videos without interrupting clinical workflows. Artificial intelligence tools developed by Virgo analyze complex inclusion and exclusion criteria set forth by trial sponsors, ultimately making clinical trials more accessible to a larger, more diverse set of patients suffering from GI conditions such as Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease.

“We feel honored to be working with the CTNx team. We are both impressed by their network and excited to deploy our cloud-based products to their membership in pursuit of greater access, equity, and inclusion in GI clinical trials,” said Ian Strug, Co-founder and Chief Revenue Officer of Virgo. “We believe this partnership will yield heightened study opportunities across a broad spectrum of diseases and device trials, in addition to adding standard of care capabilities to the everyday work of patient care.”

“We are beyond excited to be working with the Virgo team and their best-in-class AI GI technology,” said Keith Friedenberg, CEO of CTNx. “We feel this partnership is an exciting moment for the future of clinical trial recruitment. This accelerates our mission of bringing clinical trials to community physicians and their patients.”

About Virgo 

 

Virgo Surgical Video Solutions provides the leading cloud video capture, management, and artificial intelligence analysis platform for endoscopic medicine. Over 80 academic, integrated, and private practice healthcare providers use Virgo’s HIPAA- and SOC-2-compliant platform to advance patient care through video-based research and training initiatives. In 2021, Virgo launched a suite of tools called Virgo Trials, which help pharmaceutical trial sponsors and their participating trial sites accelerate patient recruitment and shorten the overall enrollment period for trials. For more information, visit virgosvs.com.

About CTNx

 

The Clinical Trials Network (CTNx) is a specialty-based network of private practice research sites dedicated to expanding access and representation in clinical trials. Since its inception in 2018, CTNx has opened over 70 sites with networks in Gastroenterology, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, Allergy/Immunology, Neurology, and Women’s Health. CTNx has built its reputation on assisting naïve investigators through the clinical trial space with its fully integrated centralized administrative support and in-house clinical research coordinator identification and training program. For more information, visit www.thectnx.com.

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