Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) has implemented a groundbreaking technology platform designed to transform clinical trial data management in collaboration with IgniteData and AstraZeneca. The Archer platform, now being utilized in an ongoing Phase 3 study sponsored by AstraZeneca, addresses one of the most persistent challenges in clinical research: efficient data transfer between hospital systems and research databases.
The technology automates the transfer of clinical data from electronic health records (EHRs) to electronic data capture (EDC) systems used in clinical trials. This innovation eliminates the need for manual data entry, which has traditionally been a time-consuming burden for clinical researchers. The system can securely transfer several hundred data points per patient, maintaining data integrity while significantly reducing administrative workload.
Technology Capabilities and Security Features
Archer's system-agnostic design allows it to integrate with various leading EHR and EDC platforms, making it adaptable across different healthcare environments. The platform maps multiple study variables and transfers data while maintaining the highest standards of data security and patient privacy. All patients participating in the current implementation provided prior approval for the integration and use of their clinical data.
Dr. Wai Keong Wong, Clinical Director of Digital Transformation at CUH, highlighted the significance of this implementation: "The integration of Archer into our EHR system represents a significant leap forward in how we conduct clinical trials. The automation of data capture not only enhances efficiency but also ensures the highest standards of data integrity, which is crucial for the success of our research and, ultimately, for patient outcomes."
Development and Implementation Journey
The collaboration between the three organizations began in 2021, with AstraZeneca playing a key role in developing the Archer platform. Before its deployment at Cambridge, the technology underwent successful pilot studies at University College London Hospitals (UCLH) and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) in the United States.
Richard Yeatman, COO of IgniteData, emphasized the collaborative nature of the project: "Our partnership with Cambridge University Hospitals and AstraZeneca is a testament to the power of collaboration in advancing clinical research. With Archer, we are laying the groundwork for a new era of digital innovation in clinical trials, one where data is transferred seamlessly, securely, and efficiently."
Implications for Clinical Research
The implementation of Archer at Cambridge University Hospitals represents a significant advancement in clinical research methodology. By automating data transfer processes, researchers can dedicate more time to clinical investigation rather than administrative tasks. This efficiency gain has the potential to accelerate trial completion and ultimately speed up the development of new treatments.
The data and insights gathered from this live integration will inform future deployments across other NHS and European hospitals. The collaborating organizations view this implementation as the beginning of a broader initiative to scale the technology globally, potentially transforming standard practices in clinical trial execution.
Industry Context
The clinical trials sector has long sought solutions to streamline data management processes. Manual data entry not only consumes valuable researcher time but also introduces the potential for transcription errors. Technologies like Archer address these challenges by creating direct digital pathways between existing hospital systems and research databases.
This implementation aligns with broader industry trends toward digital transformation in healthcare research, where automation and interoperability are increasingly recognized as essential components of efficient clinical trial execution. As healthcare systems worldwide continue to digitize their operations, platforms that bridge the gap between clinical care documentation and research data collection will likely play an increasingly important role in advancing medical science.
