“We’re merging consumer-grade digital expectations with the complexity of clinical trial compliance.” — Lisa Charlton, Chief Product Officer at Castor
The May 2025 Castor Product Spotlight wasn’t just a feature walkthrough—it was a directional statement. As the boundaries between real-world data (RWD), ePRO, direct-to-patient (DTP) delivery, and digital-first engagement continue to blur, Castor has placed a strategic bet on the convergence of flexibility, compliance, and user experience.
In a 30-minute LinkedIn Live session, Lisa Charlton and Conal Nolan pulled back the curtain on the latest evolution of Castor’s platform: frictionless onboarding, end-to-end workflows, modular flexibility, and a renewed focus on reducing both site and participant burden.
Here’s what it all signals—for the future of trials, for technology buyers, and for participants themselves.
Designing With the Participant, Not Just the Protocol
Charlton opened by reframing a persistent challenge: participant-facing technology has historically lagged behind the user experiences people expect from banking, e-commerce, and health apps.
The core thesis?
“If I can bank with an OTP on my phone, I should be able to consent to a trial with the same ease.”
The Castor platform now offers just that—an OTP-first authentication experience that removes login friction without compromising on security. But more critically, it sets the tone for what follows: every subsequent step in the workflow is participant-centered and seamlessly integrated, from recruitment landing pages to eConsent and follow-up ePRO tasks.
“You only get one chance to keep a participant engaged. We treat every first touchpoint with that in mind.” — Conal Nolan
From Static Consent to Adaptive Engagement
The traditional approach to informed consent is increasingly incompatible with remote and global studies. Castor’s eConsent experience is built with real-world comprehension in mind: embedded videos, study FAQs, and optional live scheduling links elevate participant understanding while reducing dropout due to confusion or mistrust.
The flexibility doesn’t stop at consent. Sponsors and CROs can control whether consent is self-serve or requires investigator oversight, with real-time notifications and audit trails keeping the process accountable. One-time password verification is integrated at critical steps like form signing—securing both the participant journey and regulatory compliance.
End-to-End DTP: One Platform, Modular by Design
Castor’s 2025 platform advancements reflect a strong commitment to an API-first, modular architecture, allowing study teams to build personalized workflows without starting from scratch.
This was brought to life in the live demo: a participant lands on a branded recruitment page, completes a pre-screener, and seamlessly progresses through eConsent and baseline forms—all on their own device, without app downloads or account creation.
Once enrolled, participants receive personalized SMS alerts prompting follow-up actions or reminders to open Castor Connect, the native mobile app supporting push notifications, offline use, and biometric login.
“Our aim is not to force patients into a rigid protocol workflow, but to adapt the workflow to their lives.” — Lisa Charlton
Real Results from Real Studies
The feature set isn’t theoretical—it’s validated in global real-world studies.
Case Study 1: Fully Remote, Infectious Disease RWE Trial
- 2,000 participants enrolled in under 6 months
- 90%+ ePRO compliance
- 0 provisioned devices; 100% BYOD via web and app
- Full-stack support: landing pages, eConsent, ePRO, licensing, and patient payments
Case Study 2: Hybrid Model with Remote Capture
- Study conducted with a single coordinator
- High retention and reduced site burden
- Cost avoidance without compromising data integrity
These examples demonstrate Castor’s ability to scale across therapeutic areas, geographies, and operational models—delivering both high-touch service and software under one roof.
Compliance, Resilience, and the Road Ahead
Key compliance features—like audit trails distinguishing participant-entered data, offline functionality in Castor Connect, and eConsent audit logs—reinforce the platform’s regulatory readiness. And in scenarios where internet connectivity drops mid-form, auto-saving ensures that no data is lost.
Looking ahead, Castor is developing on-site ePRO workflows to further reduce friction in hybrid trials. The forthcoming model will enable data collection at sites with seamless handover to remote follow-up, ensuring no action or data point is missed—even in fluctuating trial environments.
“This is the direction the industry is heading—flexibility without compromise.” — Conal Nolan
Final Thoughts: From Tech-Driven to Participant-Led
Castor’s updates reflect a broader shift in clinical research: technology can no longer be an operational afterthought. It must serve the dual goals of scientific rigor and participant empathy.
The 2025 Product Spotlight makes it clear: Castor is building for a world where participants expect digital fluency, and study teams need tools that meet those expectations—while accelerating timelines, increasing retention, and improving data quality.
For RWE leaders, digital trial managers, and platform evaluators, this isn’t just a better experience. It’s a strategic imperative.
Explore how Castor’s participant-first technology can help you deliver more compliant, engaging, and efficient studies. Let’s build the next generation of trials—together.
