INC Research Holdings a Phase I to IV contract research organization (CRO), has launched the company’s Vaccine Catalyst Site network as part of its catalyst program introduced earlier this year to strengthen collaborations with clinical research sites worldwide, ultimately enhancing patient focus and optimizing study delivery to drive improved predictability and increased efficiency for customers.  INC selected 40 high-performing clinical research sites to participate in the initial launch of its Vaccine Catalyst Site network, which was formed to respond to the rapid growth and strong pipeline of vaccine studies.

“INC recognizes the urgent and growing public heath need for new and better vaccines based on the global impact of emerging infections such as Ebola and the Zika virus,” said Judith Ng-Cashin, chief scientific officer, INC Research. “Our focus is on supporting our customers in the development of innovative new therapies to address this important patient need, making vaccine clinical research as efficient as possible to facilitate rapid product approvals.”

“Because vaccines need to be developed as quickly as possible to be effective, INC’s ability to collaborate efficiently with clinical research sites in the development of these new therapies is crucial,” said Clare Grace, vice president, site and patient access, INC Research. “This is where our focus on site relationships and therapeutic alignment is a huge asset, because INC has in place deep partnerships with known and trusted sites and investigators across the globe. Our Vaccine Catalyst Site network takes these relationships one step further by offering a new model for collaboration creating true and measurable benefits for sites, customers and ultimately patients.”

Over the past five years, INC Research has conducted more than 40 vaccine studies across all phases of development, including complex studies in Ebola, Zika, Meningitis, Rotavirus, Smallpox, multiple strains of influenza and many others. The company’s significant experience in navigating the nuanced requirements and aggressive timelines set forth by governmental agencies such as the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) is a differentiator. Through specially trained teams working in a dedicated Vaccine Service Model, INC has yielded exceptional results with all vaccine clinical trials over the past five years being delivered on time or ahead of schedule.