Bordeaux: Not Just for Wine Anymore

Established on February 1, 2011 in the Bordeaux area, Bordeaux Clinical Research Network (BCRN) is a service platform dedicated to clinical trials in the healthcare industry. It aims to fulfill the increasing requirements of CROs and healthcare professionals to boost and speed up patient inclusion in phase I to IV clinical trials, while still ensuring compliance with all applicable quality standards.

BCRN offers international pharmaceutical companies and CROs a clinical trial platform in France, with easy access to a significant number of patients in a wide range of therapeutic fields.

For the first time in Europe industries, hospitals and universities have joined forces to achieve the following goals:
- Obtain higher patient inclusion rates in high-potential clinical trials
- Provide industries and hospitals with a unique gateway and enable them to connect, to effectively streamline procedures and to reduce lead time on trials
- Strengthen the relationship between hospitals and primary-care providers to optimize patients enrollment

BCRN is a Site Management Organization (SMO) offering a wide range of services including:

1. Assistance in setting up clinical trials
- Analyzing protocols and identifying investigators
- Defining logistical requirements and offering adequate services
- Elaborating budgets and financial proposals
- Providing a single contract for all parties involved

2. Reinforcement of investigation/site management capabilities
- Allocating and managing medical and paramedical staff
- Increasing the involvement of primary-care providers in the enrollment, inclusion and monitoring of patients
- Assuring administrative and logistical support to the primary-care providers’ network

3. Support to innovative projects
- Analyzing the various requirements
- Drafting agreements
- Identifying means of investigation
- Assisting with regulatory procedures
- Implementing and supervising projects

BCRN combines the assets and skills of its co-founders :
- Bordeaux University Hospital
- The Bergonié Institute (Regional Cancer Center)
- Bordeaux Segalen University
- SARI (Société d’Accompagnement à la Recherche Industrielle), a French company dedicated to the support of industrial research. This company was set up by the Bordeaux Chamber of Commerce and Industry and brings together twelve local SMEs specialized in pharmaceuticals, medical devices and nutrition.