In a significant development for clinical trial operations, Alcon has reported substantial efficiency gains following its implementation of the Veeva Vault platform, marking a successful digital transformation since its 2019 spinoff from Novartis.
The eye care company's strategic decision to adopt a platform-based approach has yielded impressive results in clinical trial management. Speaking at the 2024 Veeva MedTech Summit in Amsterdam, Leianne Ebert, head of clinical data operations at Alcon, revealed that approximately 35% of their portfolio now achieves database delivery within four weeks, with studies reaching lock status at a median rate of ten business days.
Digital Platform Implementation and Results
The transformation began with the adoption of Veeva Vault's Clinical Data Management System (CDMS) and Clinical Trial Management System (CTMS) in 2019. These foundational implementations have since expanded to include additional Vault applications, creating a comprehensive clinical research ecosystem.
"Our sites love it," Ebert emphasized, pointing to user engagement metrics as a key indicator of success. "45% of our data is entered on the same day as the visit date," she noted, interpreting this high same-day entry rate as evidence of the system's user-friendly design and effectiveness.
Customer-Centric Approach to Change Management
Alcon's transformation strategy placed heavy emphasis on stakeholder engagement and transparent communication. The company actively solicited and incorporated user feedback throughout the implementation process, addressing concerns and providing guidance where needed.
"A lot of it is an exercise in confidence building," Ebert explained in a sidebar conversation with Medical Device Network. "Getting customers who use the services we offer the reassurance that what's going to be released is going to work and that it's going to help them be more successful, instead of being a burden to them."
Impact on Clinical Operations
The platform-based approach has revolutionized Alcon's clinical research capabilities. As a company straddling both medical device and pharmaceutical sectors, the unified system has proven particularly valuable in managing diverse clinical trial requirements.
Ebert emphasized the importance of intentional change management: "Once they understand the whys around process changes, they're usually on board." This philosophy has helped Alcon maintain strong site relationships while improving operational efficiency.
Future Outlook
With the success of current implementations, Alcon continues to look to Veeva Vault for addressing new business needs. The platform's scalability and integrated approach position the company well for future clinical research challenges, while maintaining its focus on site satisfaction and operational excellence.
