Regions
MAIN/REGIONS
regions/
Regions
  1. Americas
  2. Asia & Oceania
  3. Europe
  4. Middle East & Africa
  1. Solutions
  2. Products
  3. Insights
  4. About
  5. Careers
  6. Contact Us
MAIN/search
MAIN/Solutions
Solutions/
SOLUTIONS
  • Research & Development
  • Real World Evidence
  • Commercialization
  • Safety & Regulatory Compliance
  • Technologies
LIFE SCIENCE SEGMENTS
HEALTHCARE SEGMENTS
THERAPEUTIC AREAS

Impacting People's Lives

"We strive to help improve outcomes and create a healthier, more sustainable world for people everywhere.

LEARN MORE
Harness the power to transform clinical development

Reimagine clinical development by intelligently connecting data, technology, and analytics to optimize your trials. The result? Faster decision making and reduced risk so you can deliver life-changing therapies faster.

Research & Development Overview
Research & Development Quick Links
Real World Evidence. Real Confidence. Real Results.

Generate and disseminate evidence that answers crucial clinical, regulatory and commercial questions, enabling you to drive smarter decisions and meet your stakeholder needs with confidence.

REAL WORLD EVIDENCE OVERVIEW
Real World Evidence Quick Links
See markets more clearly. Opportunities more often.

Elevate commercial models with precision and speed using AI-driven analytics and technology that illuminate hidden insights in data.

COMMERCIALIZATION OVERVIEW
Commercialization Quick Links
Service driven. Tech-enabled. Integrated compliance.

Orchestrate your success across the complete compliance lifecycle with best-in-class services and solutions for safety, regulatory, quality and medical information.

COMPLIANCE OVERVIEW
Safety & Regulatory Compliance Quick Links
Intelligence that transforms life sciences end-to-end.

When your destination is a healthier world, making intelligent connections between data, technology, and services is your roadmap.

TECHNOLOGIES OVERVIEW
Technology Quick Links
MAIN/Products
Products/
CLINICAL PRODUCTS
COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS
COMPLIANCE, SAFETY, REG PRODUCTS
REAL WORLD PRODUCTS

CASE STUDY

"Data in a Day

LEARN MORE
MAIN/Insights
Insights/
BLOGS, WHITE PAPERS & CASE STUDIES

Explore our library of insights, thought leadership, and the latest topics & trends in healthcare.

DISCOVER INSIGHTS
THE IQVIA INSTITUTE

An in-depth exploration of the global healthcare ecosystem with timely research, insightful analysis, and scientific expertise.

SEE LATEST REPORTS

INSTITUTE REPORT

"Global Trends in R&D 2024

READ MORE

EMEA Insights

"IQVIA thought leadership with a focus on EMEA.

Learn more

WHITE PAPER

"DCTs Deliver Big ROI

LEARN MORE

WHITE PAPER

"Capturing value at scale: The $4 billion RWE imperative

LEARN MORE
MAIN/About
About/
FEATURED INNOVATIONS
  • IQVIA Connected Intelligence™
  • IQVIA Healthcare-grade AI™
  • Human Data Science Cloud
  • IQVIA Innovation Hub
  • Decentralized Trials
  • Patient Experience Solutions with Apple devices
WHO WE ARE
NEWS & RESOURCES

INVESTOR RELATIONS

"Visit our investor relations site for more information.

LEARN MORE
Unlock your potential to drive healthcare forward

By making intelligent connections between your needs, our capabilities, and the healthcare ecosystem, we can help you be more agile, accelerate results, and improve patient outcomes.

LEARN MORE
IQVIA AI is Healthcare-grade AI

Building on a rich history of developing AI for healthcare, IQVIA AI connects the right data, technology, and expertise to address the unique needs of healthcare. It's what we call Healthcare-grade AI.

LEARN MORE

Your healthcare data deserves more than just a cloud.

The IQVIA Human Data Science Cloud is our unique capability designed to enable healthcare-grade analytics, tools, and data management solutions to deliver fit-for-purpose global data at scale.

LEARN MORE
Innovations make an impact when bold ideas meet powerful partnerships

The IQVIA Innovation Hub connects start-ups with the extensive IQVIA network of assets, resources, clients, and partners. Together, we can help lead the future of healthcare with the extensive IQVIA network of assets, resources, clients, and partners.

LEARN MORE
Proven, faster DCT solutions

IQVIA Decentralized Trials deliver purpose-built clinical services and technologies that engage the right patients wherever they are. Our hybrid and fully virtual solutions have been used more than any others.

LEARN MORE
IQVIA Patient Experience Solutions with Apple devices

Empowering patients to personalize their healthcare and connecting them to caregivers has the potential to change the care delivery paradigm.

LEARN MORE
MAIN/Careers
Careers/
WORKING AT IQVIA

Our mission is to accelerate innovation for a healthier world. Together, we can solve customer challenges and improve patient lives.

LEARN MORE
LIFE AT IQVIA

Careers, culture and everything in between. Find out what’s going on right here, right now.

LEARN MORE

WE’RE HIRING

"Improving human health requires brave thinkers who are willing to explore new ideas and build on successes. Unleash your potential with us.

SEARCH JOBS
MAIN/Contact Us
Contact Us/
Blog
IQVIA’s EPON Paves the Way for More Efficient Early Phase Oncology Research
Bryce Davies, Head of Asia Early Phase Oncology Academy, IQVIA
Sep 01, 2023
  • Blogs
  • IQVIAs EPON Paves the Way for More Efficient Early Phase Oncology Research

IQVIA’s EPON Paves the Way for More Efficient Early Phase Oncology Research 

Navigating drug development in oncology is a complex and intensive process. While there are certainly challenges sponsors face in later phases, early phase oncology (EPO) studies have their own set of distinct obstacles. If not addressed, these can amplify the complexity in later phases. Such challenges include:

  • A non-homogenous patient population: Many EPO studies apply an “all-comers” approach to patient recruitment, which introduces variability within the population. It’s crucial to collaborate with experienced investigators who not only have access to suitable patients, but also possess a deep understanding of their patients and the impact variability can have on signals seen during the study. Moreover, there is an emerging trend of biomarker/mutation driven populations being recruited into studies of targeted therapies, adding another layer of complexity to identifying the right patient.
  • Intensive study procedures: EPO studies often have intensive PK sampling and biopsy requirements.  The data generated from these procedures is critical to the success of the product under development. Therefore, it’s imperative to select sites with experience managing this additional burden, which should be a high priority for sponsors.
  • Speed: Most sponsors face fierce competition from other companies, so selecting the right dose(s) for further development needs to happen quickly. Not only does site start up need to be fast, but investigators and sites must also stay engaged throughout the dose escalation process. This engagement involves active participation in the Safety Review process (by providing timely data and, in many cases, being an active member of the Safety Review Committee), proactive patient identification ahead of cohort opening and ensuring dosing is completed on time.

As the landscape of EPO drug development continues to evolve, increased pressure is placed on study timelines and mitigating risks. To overcome these pressures, it is recommended that companies turn to experts who can help.

IQVIA’s Global Early Phase Oncology Network (EPON): Playing a Pivotal Role in Streamlining Early Oncology Studies

IQVIA’s EPON is a network of qualified Phase I oncology sites that operate in close alignment for fast site activation and improved patient recruitment. By utilizing pre-identified experienced sites, site selection timelines can be reduced, increasing operational efficiencies.

In addition, EPON is not confined to a specific region. Rather, its reach spans across the globe, which is vital given the increasing competition for competent sites on EPO studies. This expansive network allows for a broader scope of research and access to a wider pool of patients, enhancing the quality of data collected.

Selecting the right sites is crucial to the success of any study. EPON takes this into account and leverages IQVIA’s established relationships to increase the probability of success. These relationships not only facilitate smoother studies, but also contribute it building a more robust and reliable network.

Advantages of EPON: More than Just Sites

IQVIA's EPON provides a multitude of benefits that go beyond just a list of sites. These advantages include:

  • Stable Relationships: Over a decade of strong ties with sites, enabling deep understanding and smooth collaborations.
  • Detailed Site Information: Comprehensive profiles for each site, aiding in the creation of efficient study tools.
  • Experts: EPON managers provide valuable insights into patient populations, pathways, and potential protocol challenges.
  • Key Connections: Strong relationships with Investigators and KOLs who can offer early insights into the protocol.
  • Logistical Efficiency: Well-mapped sites and standardized processes help eliminate startup and delivery hurdles as well as help to expedite Phase I trials.
  • Continuous Improvement: Proactive identification and discussion of potential areas for improvement.
  • Understanding of Site Operations: Deep knowledge of each site's workings and startup needs, contributing to faster turnaround.
  • Aligned Processes: Standard budgets, agreed CTA wording, and other aligned processes for speedier outcomes.

Conclusion

Early phase oncology research comes with many challenges. However, with IQVIA's EPON, it becomes easier to navigate these complexities. With well-established relationships that span over a decade, EPON ensures seamless collaborations and profound understanding of each site. The comprehensive site profiles, a team of specialized experts, and insightful support further streamline the process. This holistic approach not only enables the effective execution of trials but also paves the way for groundbreaking advancements in oncology.

Related solutions

Oncology

Focus oncology development on the patient, manage trial complexity, and increase predictability and speed.

Contact Us