Introduction and Demographics

Decentralized and Hybrid Clinical Trials Report 2020

Virtual and decentralized clinical trials have been a promise for many for a number of years now, and whilst there have been an increasing number of successes, plans have often been frustrated by operational, tech and regulatory challenges. However, in 2020, COVID-19 and the associated lockdowns - as well as advancing tech - has accelerated the use of virtual, decentralized and hybrid trials.

In May 2020 Clinical Trials Europe conducted a study of clinical trials professionals around the world, and based on 184 responses, this final report reveals unique insights into the use of virtual, decentralized and hybrid trials today, strategy for adoption in the future, and the challenges that still need to be overcome. In this first section we look at the demographics of the respondents.

Key Insights

77% of respondents say that less than a third of the clinical trials they are currently working on are decentralized/virtual or hybrid trials.
Just 9% of respondents' clinical trials they are currently working on are all decentralized/virtual or hybrid trials.
79% say that COVID-19 has increased their use of decentralized/virtual or hybrid trials.
84% say it is 'likely' or 'certain' that their company will increase its use of decentralized/virtual or hybrid trials in the next two years.
44% say that regulatory acceptance is the biggest challenge with running decentralized/virtual or hybrid trials.

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