FREMONT, Calif., Oct. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- The Duke University Health System has licensed Velos eResearch to support its new enterprise-wide strategic business model for clinical trials informatics. Velos, Inc. will play a key role in these clinical trials initiatives, providing the infrastructure to further Duke’s commitment to clinical research compliance with regulatory and financial standards supported by technology innovation. The Velos platform will be critical to strategic directions that include collaboration with other institutions on a national and international scale.
“In the world of clinical research, the adequacy of support for research operations is critical, particularly in the form of tools and infrastructure investment,” said Steve Woody, Associate CIO for Translational and Clinical Research for Duke Medicine. “Duke has created a strategic business model for the future in this area. We hope to cement and extend leadership among academic centers in supporting investigator- and sponsor-based clinical research.”
“It’s gratifying to be able to play such an important role in Duke’s strategic direction in research,” stated John S. McIlwain, President and CEO of Velos. “Duke complements and advances our vision for collaboration and information sharing. We will provide them with the clinical trial technology support they need as they develop their innovative model for Strategic Business Units in clinical research.”
Initial Deployment
Initially, Velos eResearch is being deployed at the Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center, with a focus on managing patients and trials. That implementation will move across the health system and affiliates. An integrated model that will include the financial management of clinical research is envisioned. Duke will use the Velos core functionality to create middleware to manage billing for clinical trial patient accounts.
Selection Process
Prior to the selection of Velos, Duke Medicine was using a mix of internal development and commercial systems. “We looked at the functionality of Velos and found it capable of replacing much of what we had in place,” said Woody.
Mutual Affiliation
Woody was first led to Velos through the strong connection of the Duke Cancer Center to caBIG(TM) and its efforts. caBIG, the Cancer Biomedical Informatics Grid, is an initiative of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and was founded to link researchers, physicians, and patients throughout the cancer community. The Duke Cancer Center was well acquainted with Velos through its participation in those efforts. “Velos is unique in the caBIG arena in that they are participating in multiple ways,” explained Woody. “They are making their product available and compliant with caBIG standards. No less important is their development activity in other areas to help support caBIG.”
Duke’s Mission and the CTSA
The CTSA (Clinical and Translational Science Awards) is the grant process adopted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for investment in the clinical and translational research infrastructure. CTSA was established to drive translational science as opposed to bench science, so that translational medicine facilitates the transition of basic science results into clinical practice for the benefit of patients. Duke was highly ranked among the first CTSA awardees. The DCRI’s alignment with CTSA is demonstrated in its mission statement, “To develop and share knowledge that improves the care of patients around the world through innovative clinical research.”
“We are especially pleased to serve the researchers in the Duke University Health System,” said Amar P.S. Chahal, M.D., Executive Vice President, member of the Board of Directors and Co-Founder of Velos. “Duke is a leader in the clinical trials arena, and the willingness among senior clinical and information technology professionals at Duke to use this knowledge for the betterment of all research is exciting for Velos. It adds immense depth to our own stated objective to improve the conduct of research to benefit the greatest number of patients with maximal efficiency through technology and collaboration. This leadership was clearly demonstrated by Duke’s standing among the first 12 recipients of the CTSA, and will be furthered by the collaborations we are working on together now.”
The Responsibility to Collaborate
Woody stated that other large research centers are already collaborating with Duke around Velos. “Research is not about information technology. Although research is very much dependent on information technology, it is really about the patient. Being selfish about information technology or knowledge gained about processes is counterproductive to the health of the citizenry of the United States and the world. I think it’s irresponsible not to share knowledge.”
About Duke Medicine
Duke Medicine conceptually integrates the Duke University Health System, the Duke University School of Medicine, and the Duke University School of Nursing. It is the combination of research, clinical care, and education that takes place through the efforts of our faculty, staff, students, and trainees at many different sites throughout our region and worldwide.
As a world-class academic and health care system, Duke Medicine strives to transform medicine and health locally and globally through innovative scientific research, rapid translation of breakthrough discoveries, educating future clinical and scientific leaders, advocating and practicing evidence- based medicine to improve community health, and leading efforts to eliminate health inequalities.
Duke University Medical Center, established in 1930, comprises clinical, training and research programs. The medical center has one of 40 federally funded comprehensive cancer centers, an eye center, a general clinical research unit and other highly advanced treatment and research facilities. Duke University Hospital is licensed for 1,050 beds. Life Flight, Duke’s air ambulance service, flies more than 1,100 times a year to transport critically ill patients.
About the Duke Clinical Research Institute
The Duke Clinical Research Institute (DCRI) is the world’s largest academic clinical research organization. We combine the clinical expertise and academic leadership of a premier teaching hospital with the full-service operational capabilities of a major contract research organization.
With over 930 faculty and staff, the DCRI is capable of conducting any clinical research project, from the smallest pilot study to truly global megatrials, medical device trials to outcomes and quality of life analyses. Our experience stretches from Phase I to Phase IV and beyond, encompassing post-approval analyses and health economics.
We provide every service needed for successful research, including project management, data management, site management and clinical monitoring, biostatistics, safety surveillance, and medical communications. This full portfolio of abilities means our clients, who include pharmaceutical and medical device makers, biotech companies, and government agencies, can find a tailored research plan that meets their needs.
Though best known for our pioneering cardiovascular trials, the DCRI conducts studies in more than 20 therapeutic areas. Our faculty are all practicing physicians in these specialties, applying cutting-edge research in their own patient care. Their informed input on study design and interpretation creates more efficient, practical, and hard-hitting research.
But without effective and powerful communications, all of that research cannot achieve the DCRI’s mission of improving the practice of medicine. Our faculty focus strongly on disseminating research results, publishing more than 300 articles per year in peer-reviewed journals. Their effects on patient care and the state of medicine are felt around the world.
About Velos
Velos is the trusted clinical trial management resource for investigators, sponsors and academic leaders throughout the U.S. Its customers include 21 of the top 25 academic medical centers and research institutions. These customers receive 30 percent of all NIH extramural grants. Velos eResearch is deployed for clinical research in all parts of the healthcare enterprise and supports a broad diversity of clinical departments and functional needs. The system fundamentally improves the way data is collected, organized and shared. A pure Internet technology platform, Velos eResearch harnesses advanced powers of the Internet to enable research sites, sponsors, and patients to collaborate in a secure, integrated system platform. System users are freed of redundant data entry and related time delays associated with most clinical research today. With emphasis on workflow, Velos integrates the clinical, administrative and financial information needs of research management. Founded in 1996, Velos is privately held with headquarters in Fremont, California. For more information, visit http://www.velos.com.
This press release may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.
CONTACT: Janice Odell of The Ford Odell Group, +1-415-738-2165,
jan@fordodell.com, for Velos
Web site: http://www.velos.com//
