WIRB-Copernicus Group Supports Accelerated Clinical Trial Agreement
The ACTA was initiated in 2012 by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) through its Clinical and Translational Science Awards program in collaboration with representatives from several pharmaceutical companies to facilitate negotiations between institutional research sites and industry sponsors.
WIRB-Copernicus Group (WCG), a provider of regulatory and ethical review services for human research and software solutions, announced that it will encourage members of its Global Research Network (GRN) to accept the Accelerated Clinical Trial Agreement (ACTA) as their default agreement for industry-sponsored, multi-center clinical trials.
The ACTA was initiated in 2012 by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) through its Clinical and Translational Science Awards program in collaboration with representatives from several pharmaceutical companies to facilitate negotiations between institutional research sites and industry sponsors. The goal was to create a straightforward and unambiguous document which clearly sets forth the regulatory and contractual obligations of both parties, and presents language which – while perhaps not ideal for either party – is acceptable to both. Adoption and use of the ACTA would expedite the contract process and reduce the time it takes to start up clinical trials.
While the Accelerated Clinical Trial Agreement (ACTA) was initiated in 2012, it took two years to develop, and is just being introduced now. To date, approximately 225 institutions have agreed to the terms of the ACTA. WCG aims to increase that number significantly by promoting ACTA to the 1,200 institutions that belong to its GRN, which is a group comprised of research-intensive hospitals and universities, including one-third of all U.S. academic medical centers, 27 of which are CTSA institutions and have agreed to accept the ACTA without revision.
Improving Relationships and Diversifying the Site Selection Process
April 17th 2025In this episode of the Applied Clinical Trials Podcast, Liz Beatty, co-founder and chief strategy officer, Inato, discusses a number of topics around site engagement including community-based sites, the role of technology in improving site/sponsor relationships, how increased operational costs are impacting the industry, and more.
Behind the Buzz: Why Clinical Research Leaders Flock to SCOPE Summit
February 7th 2025In this episode, we meet with Micah Lieberman, Executive Conference Director for SCOPE Summit (Summit for Clinical Ops Executives) at Cambridge Innovation Institute. We will dive deep into the critical role of collaboration within the clinical research ecosystem. How do we bring together diverse stakeholders—sponsors, CROs, clinical trial tech innovators, suppliers, patients, sites, advocacy organizations, investors, and non-profits—to share best practices in trial design, program planning, innovation, and clinical operations? We’ll explore why it’s vital for thought leaders to step beyond their own organizations and learn from others, exchanging ideas that drive advancements in clinical research. Additionally, we’ll discuss the pivotal role of scientific conferences like SCOPE Summit in fostering these essential connections and collaborations, helping shape the future of clinical trials. Join us as we uncover how collective wisdom and cross-industry partnerships are transforming the landscape of clinical research.
