WCG Institute Podcast: Pioneers of Clinical Research

In the most recent episode of WCG Talks Trials, we are joined by three industry experts, Amy Thue and Shelby Ward from WCG, and Russell Lampman from Merck to discuss the topic of optimizing vendor support, and ultimately the success, of clinical trials.Listen in as we dive into feedback and perspectives from both the sponsor and vendor side of the table—for valuable take-aways and insights into how vendor support is best aligned across all stakeholders.

In Part 2 of this discussion, Currien MacDonald, MD, CIP Medical Chair Director for WCG's IRB, discusses new FDA regulations for waiver of consent with Kelly Fitzgerald, PhD, WCG's IRB Executive Chair and VP IBC Affairs. 

In Part 1 of this discussion, Currien MacDonald, MD, CIP Medical Chair Director for WCG's IRB, discusses a policy change that is going into effect for WCG IRB with Lindsay Abrahams, Regulatory Chair Director. Lindsay and Currien discuss the concise summary and its application to consent forms, especially for WCG.

In this episode of WCG Talks Trials, our expert panel discusses various ethical, safety, and logistical challenges in accelerating clinical trials for gene and cell therapies in oncology. The conversation explores the role of Institutional Review Boards (IRBs), Institutional Biosafety Committees (IBCs), Endpoint Adjudication Committees (EACs), and Data Monitoring Committees (DMCs) in overseeing these trials, addressing issues such as patient safety, complex trial designs, and emerging biosafety concerns. Our panelists emphasize the importance of transparent communication and collaboration between IRBs and IBCs, highlighting the need to balance the urgency of advancing research with ethical considerations. Additionally, the podcast explores unrealized ethical and safety issues, such as the pace of technological advancements and potential risks associated with gene editing. The speakers also touch upon future opportunities in oncology research, including precision medicine, artificial intelligence, wearable dev

In episode 10 of WCG Talks Trials, we are joined by Catherine Gregor, the Chief Clinical Trial Officer at Florence Healthcare, to discuss Florence’s recent Research Revolution event and the importance of site enablement in clinical research. Listen in as we recap Research Revolution, share insights on emerging clinical trial trends and innovations, and have a candid conversation about what stands in the way of successful site enablement in clinical research. 

In this episode of WCG Talks Trials, we are joined by Elizabeth Weeks-Rowe, CCRA, author of The CRA’s Guide to Monitoring Clinical Research, 6th Edition.Led by WCG Director of Publications and Content, Leslie Ramsey, the discussion will delve into the ways the clinical trials industry has become more complex and technologically focused and the challenges clinical research associates (CRAs) face as monitors of clinical trials.Host: Leslie Ramsey, Director of Publications and Content, WCG  Participant: Elizabeth Weeks-Rowe, Independent Clinical Research Consultant

In this episode of WCG Talks Trials, we are joined by MAGI@home Steering Committee members, Jennifer Peterson, Director, Head of Clinical Quality at M3 Wake Research, and Geoffrey Schick, Director, Strategic Site Partnerships at WCG. Led by Carmin Gade, Chief Marketing Officer at WCG, the discussion will delve into the insights and value MAGI events provide that enable attendees to achieve success in their roles and professional development.

This episode of WCG Talks Trials, hosted by Kelly Fitzgerald, Executive IRB Chair and Vice President of IBC Affairs at WCG, dives into the topic of diversity and inclusion with technology in decentralized clinical trials (DCTs). The episode explores the transformative opportunities that DCTs present for addressing diversity gaps in clinical research. The discussion features a panel of experts, including Otis Johnson, former Chief Diversity, Inclusion, and Sustainability Officer at Clario; Archana Sah, a seasoned clinical development leader with a focus on oncology and healthcare technology; and Ken McCann, a physician with a background in pediatrics and a keen interest in social determinants of health. The panelists share insights on how DCTs can improve accessibility, overcome barriers, and enhance representation in clinical trials, emphasizing the potential for these trials to be a game-changer in making clinical research more equitable and inclusive. Guests:Archana Sah MS (Pharm.) PMP Otis Johnson, PhD, MP

Listen to the latest episode of WCG Talks Trials to hear from experts on the importance of patient advocacy in clinical research and key takeaways from WCG's 2023 Patient Forum. We'll summarize how the patient forum elevates the voices of those changing drug development for the better and recap breakthroughs and best practices shared during the most recent event.Discover more about patient and researcher collaboration, expanding diversity, equity, and inclusion in trials, and the latest advocacy-driven technology, science, and policy breakthroughs leading to modernized clinical research.  Guests:Desiree Underwood-Williams, PMP, CLSSBB, Director, Project Management Office, WCGSteve Smith, President, Patient Advocacy, WCG 

Listen to the latest episode of WCG Talks Trials to hear from experts on the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in clinical research and how intersectionality plays a role in promoting DE&I. We'll discuss why diversity is pivotal for comprehending the full spectrum of clinical care mechanisms and review effective DE&I strategies being deployed today. Discover how communities can be more actively engaged in clinical research and hear real-world examples of success stories in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within clinical research.Moderator:Scott J. Hunter, PhD - Senior Scientific Expert, Neurodevelopmental and Rare Pediatric Diseases, WCGSpeakers:Sonya Dinizulu, PhD - Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago Desiree Underwood-Williams, PMP, CLSSBB – Director, Project Management Office, WCG 

Join WCG Talks Trials podcast host Kelly Fitzgerald, PhD, in a riveting dialogue with guest expert Currien MacDonald, MD, as they unravel the nuances of "Psychedelics in Research: Ethical and Medical Perspectives." Dr. MacDonald, with a solid foundation in family medicine and clinical trials administration, guides listeners through a grounded exploration of psychedelic substances. In this episode, they demystify the realm of psychedelics, encompassing both dissociative and classic varieties, such as LSD and MDMA. As the conversation delves into ongoing research, the potential applications of these compounds in treating mental health challenges like depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder come to the fore. The dialogue doesn't shy away from probing the ethical dimensions surrounding psychedelic research, addressing concerns about study design, potential abuse, and the intricate balance between benefits and risks. This insightful podcast offers an engaging journey into the evolvin

In episode three of WCG Talks Trials, two WCG experts discuss key findings from the 2023 Avoca State of the Industry Report, which provides a 360-degree view on motivators and deterrents to clinical trial participation.Listen in as we dive into feedback from perspectives across all clinical research stakeholders — sponsors, providers, sites, and patients — for valuable take-aways and insights into the trial experience.Speakers:Crissy MacDonald, PhD, Vice President, Client Delivery, WCG AvocaGina DiCindio, Associate Director, Industry and Client Research, WCG Avoca

In episode two of WCG Talks Trials, we are joined by two WCG experts to discuss overcoming common enrollment challenges and how DE&I, technology, and protocol design factor into enrollment success.Listen in as we delve into the critical topic of common enrollment barriers in clinical trials, how to improve enrollment by focusing on DE&I efforts, the importance of site-centric and patient-centric technologies, and how thoughtful protocol design plays a significant role in enrollment success.Speakers:Dawn Sauro, Chief Growth Officer, WCGJamie Harper, MHA, CCRP - Vice President, Site Solutions & Engagement at WCGTyler Bye - Director, Site Solutions & Product Strategy at WCG

In the first episode of our new podcast series, WCG Talks Trials, we are joined by three industry experts, Lisa Ballance from Virginia Commonwealth University, John Musser from Florida Cancer Specialists and Research Institute, and Dan Otap from Genentech, to discuss the topic of overcoming site challenges and addressing site burden.Listen in as we discuss the results of WCG’s recently published 2023 Clinical Research Site Challenges Survey Report, gain insights from our guests on solutions their organizations have implemented to reduce site burden, and share perspectives on how sites, sponsors, and CROs can work to improve site and trial efficiency. Speakers: Sandy Smith, RN, MSN, AOCN  Senior Vice President, Clinical Solutions and Strategic Partnerships at WCG ClinicalLisa Richman Balance Associate Vice President for Research Strategy and Regulatory Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University John Musser Senior Director, Clinical Research Administration at Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute

Bernadette Siddiqi, associate director of research partnerships at The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research talks about how they give members of the public access to the Fox Trial Finder. This clinical trial search tool that allows anyone to search for Parkinson’s disease clinical trials. More than 300 are listed on the site.It’s a bottleneck in clinical research. Patients are eager for a cure, but it can be difficult for them to connect to trials and for researchers to connect to volunteers.Bernadette speaks of why it is critical to the foundation’s mission to provide an easy way to make this connection. Just as important, she says, is educating people about research. Fox Trial Finder provides both. Roughly 700 people visit the site each month.The Fox Trial Finder is powered by CenterWatch iConnect, and The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research is part of growing list of patient advocacy groups that deploy this search tool to inform and empower their patient community.The Michael J

Movement disorder trials have always been demanding. Now, sponsors face an additional challenge: How do you ensure data integrity in the era of remote clinical trials? In this podcast, Bob Dagher, MD, WCG MedAvante-ProPhase’s Chief Medical Officer, addresses this in conversation with Steve Smith, WCG President of Patient Advocacy. This is the fourth episode in our series, “Transforming CNS Trials During COVID-19—and Beyond.”Sponsors planning to restart movement disorder programs need to be clear-eyed and realistic, Dagher counsels. “When it comes to remote assessments, we have to be vigilant and aware of what we can do and also about what we really cannot do.” Some assessments simply cannot be performed remotely. This means sponsors will need to figure out how to account for variability and missing data in their statistical plan before locking the database.FDA guidance on the conduct of trials during COVID-19 helps provide a roadmap. For example, in the case of anticipated missing data the guidance clearly st

As a global strategist for Intel’s Health and Life Sciences Group, Bryce Olson had an up close view of innovation happening in the lab—especially in terms of genomic sequencing and gene therapy. As a man diagnosed with aggressive stage 4 prostate cancer at 44, he had as well an up close view of how that innovation was not being translated into the clinic.  He was started on a one-size-fits-all standard of care. It didn’t work, and chemo made him ill. In this podcast episode, he talks about how he demanded—and received—DNA sequencing. That data led him to find the right trial and the right medicine for his type of prostate cancer. He’s now a very vocal advocate of sequencing. Among other endeavors, he founded Sequence Me (www.sequenceme.org), a patient-driven movement to accelerate access and adoption of new genomic sequencing innovations for cancer.

In major depressive disorder, researchers have used remote assessments for decades. As a result, many of these studies have had an easier time adapting to the new clinical trial landscape. But that doesn’t mean they are pandemic-proof. So what are the critical success factors for clinical depression programs—especially now?  In his conversation with WCG President of Patient Advocacy Steve Smith, Mark Opler, PhD, MPH, Chief Research Officer at WCG MedAvante-ProPhase offers his insights on the future of clinical depression trials. This is the third episode in our podcast series, “Transforming CNS Trials During COVID-19—and Beyond.”We’re headed in the right direction by enabling more patient-friendly evaluation, but – especially in light of the pandemic – we must continue to refine these systems and make sure that we have the input of patients, caregivers, and of course, investigators. Among his recommendations: Ensure clinicians have the right depression-assessment tools and that they are using them correctly.

LaTasha Lee, PhD, MPH’s path to becoming a sickle cell disease (SCD) researcher and policy advocate began as a child. Because the SCD trait ran in her family, she became a patient advocate while still small. Today, she is Vice President, Social and Clinical Research & Development, at the National Minority Quality Forum. In this wide-ranging interview, she touches on an array of issues affecting the SCD community. Among them: adult patients who end up in the emergency room, the increased number of available therapeutics and the robust pipeline of SCD therapies. Of particular concern is the challenge of accessing pain medication — both in the ER and in primary care practices. “Individuals with this disease often aren’t believed. They are considered drug seekers when they aren’t.” She also makes a passionate call for increased minority participation in healthcare and in research to enhance equity and improve outcomes. Dr. Lee is responsible for the oversight and implementation of research projects and progra

At 51, Jeffrey Borghoff was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. What would devastate many people turned Borghoff into an advocate. The former software architect and developer is now a national spokesperson for the Alzheimer's Association and board member of the Greater New Jersey chapter.In this podcast, he talks about how the diagnosis forced him to reprioritize his life. “I've been pretty successful at that. I've been leading a very purposeful, engaging, joyful life.” With his care partner—his wife, Kimberly—he travels around the country making the case for research funding—and for clinical trial participation. That’s critical because important Alzheimer’s trials focus on younger-onset AD patients. Unfortunately, many people who are beginning to show signs at a very young age want to deny they have the disease. They won’t go into trials or even get a diagnosis. His messages to them: This disease does not define who you are, and research is important.