Clinical Research Sites Honor Top Sponsor, CRO and IRB at 2011 Site Solutions Summit

ELLICOTT CITY, Md., Oct. 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Site Solutions Summit, an annual conference of premier clinical research sites from around the world, awarded the 2011 Site Solutions Summit Eagle Awards to GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) as the top pharmaceutical sponsor; to Medpace as the top contract research organization (CRO); and to Quorum Review IRB as the top institutional review board (IRB).

Nearly 400 sites voted via confidential ballots to select this year's Site Solutions Summit Eagle Awards recipients, evaluating companies they had worked with in the last 18 months on criteria that included professionalism, partnership, efficiencies and financial considerations. The sites' votes represented their collective voice in naming these three companies as "the most desirable to work with as a clinical research study partner."

The Eagle Awards recognize outstanding leadership, professionalism, integrity, passion and dedication to advancing the clinical research profession through strong site partnerships. Winning companies were honored at the 2011 Site Solutions Summit Eagle Award Dinner on Saturday, October 15. The dinner capped the annual Summit, held this past weekend at the PGA National Resort & Spa, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

"Solid site partnerships are vital to maintaining quality and integrity in the clinical research process," said Christine Pierre, President and CEO of RxTrials Institute, and founder of the Site Solutions Summit, in presenting the Eagle Awards. "Only in collaboration can we do our best. We all benefit from adhering to the highest standards as we conduct studies and bring medical advancements to benefit patients."

GSK Voted Top Sponsor

Lisa Sorrells, Lead Clinical Research Associate, GlaxoSmithKline, accepted the Eagle Award for her company. GSK earned the Eagle Award for the second time.

"Every day we come one step closer to understanding our medicines and realizing the potential to make a difference in the life of a patient," said Craig Wozniak, Head, Americas Region. "At GSK we have always valued and focused on the relationships with investigational sites to deliver high quality research. It is critical to acknowledge and understand the challenges the sites we partner with face, and work together to overcome them. 

"To be recognized by you, the site community, as the Sponsor of choice for a second time is indeed a great honor and one that we at GSK are humbled to receive," he added. "GSK strives to develop professional, respectful and collaborative relationships with our sites to deliver products of value to our patients. We could not accomplish this goal without the efforts and dedication of the people we work with at the sites.  Thank you."

Medpace Voted Top CRO

Michelle Cecic, Sr. Clinical Research Associate, Medpace, accepted the Eagle Award for her company.

"Medpace CRAs are therapeutically focused and are therefore very knowledgeable about the indication, protocol design, and procedures for each study," said Susan E. Burwig, Senior Vice President, Clinical Operations.  "This enables the CRA to appropriately train and develop mutual respect with the site staff and provide the highest quality support and oversight for each site."

Quorum Review IRB Voted Top IRB

Cami Gearhart, CEO, Quorum Review IRB, accepted the Eagle Award for her company.

"Quorum was founded on the notion that one organization can provide both thorough ethics review and premier customer service," Gearhart said. "Clinical sites are the heart of the research process and Quorum is committed to facilitating their important work of research and participant protection. We're pleased and honored that the sites are experiencing and acknowledging Quorum's efforts in this very important endeavor."

The Site Solutions Summit is co-hosted by RxTrials Institute and the Association of Clinical Research Organizations (ACRO). The annual event brings together leaders from the continuum of the clinical research process, including research site executives and professionals; executives from Sponsors and CROs; and other senior-level industry representatives. In a collaborative setting, these stakeholders tackle the business challenges they face and identify best practices to meet those challenges.

More information about the Site Solutions Summit and the Eagle Awards can be found at www.sitesolutionssummit.com.

About RxTrials Institute

RxTrials Institute is known nationwide for innovative training and education programs for the clinical research site industry and, most notably, originated the Site Solutions Summit in 2006. Another signature program, The Hidden Costs of Conducting Clinical Research, broke new ground in teaching sites to maximize profitability and negotiate fair and balanced study budgets. RxTrials Institute's experts also are widely sought for customized training and consultation on site operations and business development. RxTrials Institute is a sister company of RxTrials, Inc., a network of premier Investigative Sites based in physician practices, clinics and hospitals around the country. Learn more at www.rxti.net

About The Association of Clinical Research Organizations

ACRO represents companies who provide specialized services that are integral to the development of drugs, biologics and medical devices. ACRO provides an active voice for the global CRO industry and, through its member companies, helps to improve the quality, efficiency and safety of biomedical research. ACRO member companies employ more 66,000 people worldwide. Learn more at www.acrohealth.org

About GSK

GlaxoSmithKline is one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies, employing 96,500 people in more than 100 countries. For the past five years, the company has chosen to focus on three priorities to increase growth, reduce risk and improve long-term financial performance: grow a diversified global business; deliver more products of value; and simplify the operating model. GSK is committed to tackling the three priority diseases identified by the World Health Organization: HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. Learn more at www.gsk.com

About Medpace

Medpace is a leading global full-service clinical research organization providing Phase I-IV core development services for drug, biologic, and device programs. With medical and regulatory expertise in multiple therapeutic specialties, Medpace has assembled the industry's most experienced and therapeutically focused teams to execute at every level of the company's operations, providing complete and seamless drug development services.  With more than 1000 employees and clinical trial experience in over 40 countries, Medpace creates strategic partnerships with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to provide the most efficient and cost-effective path to drug development – from program planning and execution to product approval. Learn more at www.medpace.com

About Quorum Review IRB

Quorum Review IRB is an independent ethics review board that is fully accredited by the Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs (AAHRPP) and has been providing ethics review of drug and device trials since 1992. Quorum oversees research in accordance with United States and Canadian human research subject protection regulations, guidelines set forth by the International Committee on Harmonisation (ICH), and principles of the Belmont Report. Quorum's best-in-class service and support includes 3 protocol board meetings a week, daily amendment board meetings, 24 hour site review turnaround, 36 hour amendment review turnaround, a secure web portal, and Smart Forms for online submissions. Quorum can review studies in the United States and Canada. Learn more at www.quorumreview.com

SOURCE RxTrials Institute