Castor Blog

It’s time to move beyond digital PDFs. Discover how real eConsent can transform trials, reduce dropout, and respect autonomy for all.

How do you decide between building, buying, or partnering? Learn key decision factors and red flags to avoid costly missteps.

High R&D costs aren’t due to a lack of innovation but inefficiencies in trials. Here’s how we can fix the system.

This article explores the debate between patient-centricity and protocol-centricity in clinical trials, featuring insights from Derk Arts (Castor) and Brad Hightower (Hightower Clinical). They discuss the ethical and practical challenges of balancing scientific rigor with patient and site burden reduction, the risks of therapeutic misconception, and the potential of platform trials to drive efficiency. Emphasizing transparency and incremental progress, the article highlights actionable strategies for improving trial design while preserving research integrity. Watch the full LinkedIn Live replay to gain a deeper understanding of these pressing issues in modern clinical research.

This article examines strategies to reduce participant and provider burden in clinical trials while ensuring high-quality data collection. It highlights simplifying questionnaires, leveraging technology like electronic PROs (ePROs), and offering flexible survey options to enhance participant engagement. For providers, integrating PROs into workflows, delegating tasks, and offering training reduces administrative strain. Ethical and equitable practices, such as culturally sensitive designs, are emphasized to ensure inclusivity. Drawing on evidence-based recommendations, including insights from Aiyegbusi et al. (2024), the article showcases platforms like Castor ePRO as effective solutions to streamline PRO collection and improve clinical trial outcomes.

Patient-Reported Outcomes (PROs) are essential in head and neck cancer research, offering insights into symptoms, quality of life, and functional impairments. This article highlights validated tools like MDADI and EORTC QLQ-H&N35 and explores the transformative role of electronic PRO platforms (ePROs) in enhancing data collection and patient care. Addressing challenges such as digital literacy and data security, it provides best practices for seamless implementation. The integration of AI and predictive analytics into ePROs promises to advance personalized care, making patient-centered oncology a reality.

Joost Rigter’s inspiring journey highlights the importance of accessibility in clinical research. From AI-driven tools to simplified communication, his story emphasizes how innovation can empower participants, ensuring they fully understand clinical trials and fostering a more inclusive approach to informed consent.

Local labs are a vital part of clinical trials, offering fast, cost-effective insights into safety and efficacy. But managing local lab data in the EDC often introduces unnecessary complexity, from inconsistent reference ranges to overwhelming queries. In this blog, we explore how to streamline workflows by simplifying protocols, focusing on critical data points, and designing intentional systems that reduce site and sponsor burden. Learn how smarter local lab management can lead to faster decisions, happier sites, and better outcomes for your trial.

Moving beyond compliance, quality culture drives clinical trial innovation through automated processes and measurable results.