A single rare disease affects fewer than 1 in 2,000 people globally, but collectively rare diseases impact over 300 million individuals worldwide. The distinct challenges of rare disease trials require innovative thinking and tailored approaches beyond traditional clinical trial planning methods. In this article, we explore these challenges and highlight the creative strategies teams use to address them, including the pivotal role of advocacy groups and innovative clinical trial intelligence solutions like TA Scan.
The Unique Challenges of Rare Disease Trials
Rare disease clinical trials face various unique challenges, making them particularly complex to design and execute. These challenges include:
- Small, Disperse Patient Populations: Recruiting patients for rare disease trials is like finding a needle in a global haystack. Patients are often spread across regions and may remain undiagnosed for years. Building strong relationships with physicians is critical for identifying eligible participants.
- Limited Historical Data: The absence of robust baseline data complicates trial design, making it difficult to define endpoints, predict disease progression, and estimate enrollment timelines.
- Regulatory and Ethical Complexities: While frameworks like the Orphan Drug Act offer flexibilities, ethical considerations often limit traditional trial designs, such as placebo-controlled studies, necessitating innovative approaches like synthetic control arms.
- Lack of Experienced Investigators: Rare conditions often have only a handful of specialists worldwide, many of whom face competing priorities. This shortage adds layers of complexity to trial feasibility and execution.
Finding the right investigators is key to overcoming these challenges. Our solutions help sponsors identify and connect with experts, even in the most niche therapeutic areas, ensuring trials have the expertise and reach to succeed.
Tackling Investigator Scarcity: A TA Scan Case Study
Built on years of collaboration with rare disease trial sponsors, TA Scan is adapted to support the unique challenges that come with rare disease trials. As a clinical intelligence solution, TA Scan enables creative approaches to investigator identification, helping sponsors to expand investigator pools.
Engaging Rising Stars and Emerging Investigators
Many clinicians specializing in rare diseases possess deep clinical expertise but lack formal trial experience. These individuals, often identified through patient care, research publications, or disease-specific conferences, represent an untapped reservoir of talent.
TA Scan’s database of over 2.5 million healthcare professionals enables teams to identify researchers and MDs with relevant publications or presentations in their target rare disease. By training these rising stars in trial execution, sponsors can expand their investigator pool while building a pipeline of talent for future studies.
Expanding Investigator Networks
In (ultra-)rare diseases where disease-specific specialists are scarce, TA Scan enables teams to search for professionals working in adjacent or related diseases, allowing them to quickly identify investigators with transferable knowledge.
TA Scan provides global coverage, expanding far beyond major academic centers to enable the identification of naïve investigators via their scientific footprint. These clinicians can be paired with seasoned investigators through mentorship programs or referral networks, fostering collaboration and expertise transfer. This approach ensures broader reach and access to new investigators, even in the most niche areas.
Creative Solutions for Complex Challenges
Rare disease trials demand creativity, persistence, and innovative solutions to address their unique challenges—small, dispersed patient populations, limited historical data, and a scarcity of experienced investigators. TA Scan empowers clinical teams to overcome these hurdles, providing streamlined access to investigator networks, emerging research talent, and real-time data insights. By embracing tailored strategies and leveraging powerful tools, sponsors can turn rare disease trial challenges into opportunities for meaningful breakthroughs. For the millions of patients waiting for solutions, innovation in trial planning isn’t just necessary—it’s transformative.
With 15 years of experience in clinical trial intelligence, and consistently supporting rare disease trials and CROs, TA Scan understands the unique challenges and needs of each sponsor. TA Scan offers flexible subscription options, whether your rare disease team needs access to data for a single disease or through a Data as a Service consultancy model, ensuring you have the precise information needed to drive your trial forward. This adaptability ensures teams have access to the data needed, in a model that works best for the needs of the trial or clinical program. And for sponsors exploring new indications in rare diseases, we provide the expertise and resources to custom build these disease areas. With a customer-first approach, we foster true partnerships that prioritize the success of your trials.
Images used under license by https://stock.adobe.com/
Authored by Jenna Morris, Executive Director of Data Solutions, Data Division
Jenna Morris, Executive Director of Data Solutions at Anju Software, brings over 18 years of expertise in data, clinical technology, and clinical research. Jenna supports Anju’s global data strategy, leveraging her extensive experience in optimizing clinical trial efficiency. Passionate about data-driven insights and advanced technologies, she focuses on building strategic operational frameworks that drive successful clinical programs. Jenna is committed to enhancing precision in clinical trial processes and maximizing outcomes for impactful research. Connect with Jenna on LinkedIn to learn more about her work and insights.
Authored by Elke Ydens, Associate Director of Business Solutions, Data Division
Elke Ydens, Associate Director of Business Solutions at Anju’s Data Division, brings over a decade of life sciences experience and a PhD in Biochemistry and Biotechnology from the University of Antwerp. As a Subject Matter Expert in Data Science, she adeptly addresses customer needs, leveraging her background in neuro-immunology and biochemistry. Elke remains dedicated to professional growth, contributing to industry publications, and staying updated on industry trends, while also finding success in extracurricular pursuits, formerly competing in world and European bridge championships, and more recently active in beekeeping and coaching. Connect with Elke on LinkedIn to explore her achievements further.