Specialist
Former Senior Executive at Iqvia Holdings Inc
Agenda
- Key developments in clinical trial software and data collection market focusing on trial decentralisation and the post-COVID-19 market
- Competitive dynamics – players' positioning and product differentiation
- M&A activity
- Outlook for 2020 year end
Questions
1.
Could you begin with your update on industry developments since our previous Interview [see Clinical Trial Software & Data Collection Market – Iqvia & Medidata – 24 March 2020]?
2.
In our previous Interview, you highlighted that the promise of decentralised trials has yet to match reality. How would you characterise the current momentum and the reconciliation between the promise and the actual capabilities? Which aspects are potentially slowing down?
3.
You mentioned that the speed or sense of urgency in internal operations has been slowing down. Is that across the board, or are there notable differences across the urgency allocated towards certain capabilities or functions?
4.
Do you think the focus on capabilities might potentially drive biopharma to increase outsourcing towards CROs? If so, how would you expect that to impact the industry?
5.
How might the potential increased outsourcing towards tech vendors change pharmaceutical companies’ selection criteria for CROs or service providers? Do you expect greater interest in the best-in-class vs. bundling approach? Is that potentially achievable to all clients?
6.
Which players would you say are best-positioned to continue to gather market share? Has that changed through the course of the pandemic?
7.
What would you identify as the major advantages and disadvantages of the shift towards decentralisation? In our previous Interview, we discussed cost consideration trends between physical and decentralised trials. What about considerations for recruitment speed, administrative increases or resource requirements?
8.
Are there any particular clinical trial software verticals or subsegments that might be more impacted by the challenges and benefits of decentralisation?
9.
To what extent do you think the re-prioritisation of selection criteria for providers during the pandemic has allowed smaller players to quickly gather interest and market share in an otherwise saturated market?
10.
How would you say customers perceive Medidata under the ownership of Dassault, given it has historically focused more on industrial end markets such as auto and machinery rather than the life sciences industry?
11.
Is it a key differentiator to be a pure-play software vendor in the clinical trial market? You mentioned Veeva is starting to gather more share. What other assessment criteria do you use for pure-play software vendors?
12.
What would you say are Veeva’s key strengths and weaknesses? You mentioned that clients don’t necessarily want to be with Medidata or Oracle. What is still missing from Veeva’s overall offering?
13.
What is your take on Science 37, and how has your outlook on it changed in the last few months? It has generated a lot of interest from the CRO industry.
14.
Could you break down the market share dynamics across key players in various verticals of clinical trial software, such as EDC [electronic data capture] and CTMS [clinical trial management system]?
15.
Which CROs stand out in their overall technological ability? What other criteria are important to consider in a decentralised trial environment that might potentially attract a customer towards a bundling approach?
16.
What is your outlook for potential M&A? Do you think any CROs have notable gaps in their capabilities that they might actively fill through acquisitions?
17.
How would you say the cost profile is changing with the trend towards a decentralised trial model, considering the investments in telehealth, imaging and at-home nursing? In our previous Interview you identified travel as a major cost consideration. How are the various costs reconciling?
18.
What factors might shape the time savings achievable in a decentralised clinical trial to launch of a drug?
19.
When would you expect to get more clarity on the potential cost or time savings and on what the overall capabilities might entail?
