CWweekly
How and why was BLCPro founded?
My partners and I have IT backgrounds. BLCPro’s parent company, BLC Consulting Service, started out in 1997 as a contract staffing agency to meet the IT needs of large pharmaceutical companies. A few years later, we started offering field staffing in clinical development. We had a few people dedicated to that area, and, during the next few years, it grew. But, pharma companies, as a costcutting measure, started preferring to outsource work instead of bringing consultants in-house. Because we had the people and the expertise, we decided at that time to start the group that would later become BLCPro. After refining our focus and tracking the business for a few years, we established the company as a subsidiary in 2006 to manage the growing need for specialty data management and study support services.
What services does BLCPro offer?
We offer a full suite of standard CRO services, with core competencies in data management, study management, programming and biostats. When our focus shifted toward more traditional CRO services, we purchased, installed and validated Oracle Clinical. We can now offer hosting services, as well as offer data management services independent of an EDC vendor. Obtaining a full license for Oracle Clinical was a valuable learning process, a substantial effort and a significant but worthwhile investment.
In addition to our standard CRO services, we offer a host of specialty services related specifically to oncology data, lab data (central and local), clinical trial management systems and investigator portals.
What differentiates BLCPro from other CROs?
Our main differentiator is that we always deliver. We have what we call P.E.A.K. Performance™. This stands for: Planning—comprehensive planning to ensure flawless execution; Experts— qualified experts with experience, skill and dedication; Action—proactive implementation of plans and solutions; Keeping our promise—quality deliverables, return on investment. Our commitment is to provide quality clinical services, through P.E.A.K. Performance™, guaranteeing no end of- study surprises, saving time and money. We collaborate with our clients to form a true partnership, ensure transparency and deliver as promised.
How has the clinical research industry changed?
One change is the increase in off-shoring contract work. But, I think what sponsors have found is off-shoring data management, for example, doesn’t always offer the same quality and/or stability.
When you work on a study, it’s not as though others can just jump in and pick up the work if a key person leaves. A team requires proper training and understanding the history of a project is key. Managing turnover can be difficult in the offshoring scenario. In response, sponsor companies have started to diversify where they offshore, outsourcing data management projects to multiple regions. Adding this approach to the outsourcing model has impacted the contract research industry and its competitive landscape.
What are your plans for growth?
As a small company, what we find the most challenging is gaining the trust of a sponsor company. Despite the competitive market, we look forward to the challenge of developing new but lasting relationships. We make new contacts every day, and plan to focus our attention on growing our small to mid-size sponsor company clientele.
How and why was BLCPro founded?
My partners and I have IT backgrounds. BLCPro’s parent company, BLC Consulting Service, started out in 1997 as a contract staffing agency to meet the IT needs of large pharmaceutical companies. A few years later, we started offering field staffing in clinical development. We had a few people dedicated to that area, and, during the next few years, it grew. But, pharma companies, as a costcutting measure, started preferring to outsource work instead of bringing consultants in-house. Because we had the people and the expertise, we decided at that time to start the group that would later become BLCPro. After refining our focus and tracking the business for a few years, we established the company as a subsidiary in 2006 to manage the growing need for specialty data management and study support services.
What services does BLCPro offer?
We offer a full suite of standard CRO services, with core competencies in data management, study management, programming and biostats. When our focus shifted toward more traditional CRO services, we purchased, installed and validated Oracle Clinical. We can now offer hosting services, as well as offer data management services independent of an EDC vendor. Obtaining a full license for Oracle Clinical was a valuable learning process, a substantial effort and a significant but worthwhile investment.
In addition to our standard CRO services, we offer a host of specialty services related specifically to oncology data, lab data (central and local), clinical trial management systems and investigator portals.
What differentiates BLCPro from other CROs?
Our main differentiator is that we always deliver. We have what we call P.E.A.K. Performance™. This stands for: Planning—comprehensive planning to ensure flawless execution; Experts— qualified experts with experience, skill and dedication; Action—proactive implementation of plans and solutions; Keeping our promise—quality deliverables, return on investment. Our commitment is to provide quality clinical services, through P.E.A.K. Performance™, guaranteeing no end of- study surprises, saving time and money. We collaborate with our clients to form a true partnership, ensure transparency and deliver as promised.
How has the clinical research industry changed?
One change is the increase in off-shoring contract work. But, I think what sponsors have found is off-shoring data management, for example, doesn’t always offer the same quality and/or stability.
When you work on a study, it’s not as though others can just jump in and pick up the work if a key person leaves. A team requires proper training and understanding the history of a project is key. Managing turnover can be difficult in the offshoring scenario. In response, sponsor companies have started to diversify where they offshore, outsourcing data management projects to multiple regions. Adding this approach to the outsourcing model has impacted the contract research industry and its competitive landscape.
What are your plans for growth?
As a small company, what we find the most challenging is gaining the trust of a sponsor company. Despite the competitive market, we look forward to the challenge of developing new but lasting relationships. We make new contacts every day, and plan to focus our attention on growing our small to mid-size sponsor company clientele.
