At N-of-1 Hub, we're delighted that Australia’s clinical trials sector is not just surviving but thriving, with the latest MTPConnect report revealing resilience and growth even after the challenges associated with the pandemic. The 2024 report on Australia's Clinical Trials Sector highlights the sector's significant contributions to the economy and healthcare innovation. In 2022, the sector generated $1.6 billion for the Australian economy, reflecting a growth of over 4% since 2019, despite challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. This growth underscores Australia's strong reputation as a prime destination for conducting clinical trials globally. In this blog, we explore three key insights from the MTPConnect Clinical Trials Sector 2024 report, highlighting trends and opportunities within Australia's clinical trials landscape.
Need for efficiency
It is evident that there is a strong demand for increased efficiency in the clinical trial sector. Better patient recruitment is also needed to maintain competitiveness. Streamlined, cost-effective personalised clinical studies ensure that clinical trials are faster and more efficient because fewer patients are needed than for a standard RCT with equivalent power. For example, in the case of a study of melatonin for insomnia in children with ADHD on stimulants, the diagram below shows that 80% power is reached with 200 participants in a standard RCT and 40 in an N of 1 trial.
Innovative clinical trial designs
We are particularly excited about the recognition of the need for continuous innovation in the sector. At N-of-1 Hub, innovation is at the heart of what we do. The report highlights innovative trial designs, such as N of 1 trials and adaptive trials (e.g. umbrella, platform and basket trials), and how such innovative trials are revolutionising efficiency and accelerating the delivery of novel therapies. To remain a country of choice for innovative trials, Australia’s clinical trial ethics and governance systems need to cater for the specific needs of these trial designs. We are committed to developing new approaches to make personalised clinical studies more accessible and impactful. The report’s findings reinforce the importance of our work and motivate us to continue pushing the boundaries of clinical research. It emphasises that adopting innovative trial designs will help the Australian clinical trials sector to keep its position as a leader of clinical trials research in complex and rapidly changing disease areas.
Other emerging opportunities
The report also identified other emerging opportunities in clinical trials including patient engagement, digital health solutions, precision healthcare, and medical device trials. First, enhancing patient engagement is critical; embracing Australia's diverse and multicultural demographic can lead to more inclusive clinical trials and improved health outcomes nationwide. Digital health solutions, such as teletrials and mobile apps, are crucial in extending trial access to remote areas, ensuring broader participation and data collection. Additionally, precision healthcare is rapidly evolving with the integration of biomarkers, attracting significant investment and promising more tailored treatment outcomes. Finally, the tightening of global regulations for medical devices presents an opportunity for Australia to attract more trials due to its robust medical device registries that can streamline patient recruitment and trial initiation. These identified opportunities are particularly exciting for us and align with our commitment to pushing the boundaries of personalised clinical research to test pharmaceuticals, medical devices, complementary medicines and other therapeutic products.
The future of clinical trials lies in personalised approaches, and we are excited to be at the forefront of this transformation. By leveraging the insights from the MTPConnect report, we are more committed than ever to advancing personalised clinical studies, improving patient outcomes, and contributing to the growth and success of the clinical trials sector in Australia and beyond.
N-of-1 Hub is a consulting company that specialises in designing, conducting and analysing personalised clinical studies using single-case designs. N-of-1 Hub provides consulting and collaborative services to companies, clinicians, researchers, and healthcare consumers who wish to conduct personalised clinical studies using single-case designs. N-of-1 Hub also offers data management and analysis services and customised workshops and courses. Additionally, our training programs are tailored to equip researchers and clinicians with the skills needed to excel in personalised clinical studies.
For more information on how N of 1 trials can revolutionise your clinical research and improve patient outcomes, we invite you to contact us for a free consultation. Don’t forget to follow us on LinkedIn for the latest updates and insights in the field of personalised clinical studies.
References
BioPharmaDispatch. (2024, May 24). MTPConnect says Australia’s clinical trials sector more valuable than ever. BioPharmaDispatch. Retrieved from https://pharmadispatch.com
MTPConnect. (2024). Australia’s clinical trials sector report. Retrieved from https://www.mtpconnect.org.au/images/MTPConnect_2024_AustraliasClinicalTrialsSectorReport.pdf
Nikles J et al. (in preparation). Melatonin for insomnia in children with ADHD on stimulants.