Innovo Research, a leading fully Integrated Research Organization (IRO), has announced a strategic partnership with Eagle Physicians & Associates, a prominent multi-specialty medical group in North Carolina. The collaboration aims to expand clinical research opportunities for patients while supporting value-driven healthcare solutions across Eagle Physicians' network of 15 locations throughout Guilford County.
The partnership will enable Eagle Physicians to leverage Innovo Research's established infrastructure and expertise to conduct high-quality clinical trials across various therapeutic areas, integrating research directly into primary and specialty care settings.
"Born out of healthcare and some of the best value-based care medical practices in the country, we are dedicated to building a site network with partners like Eagle Physicians," said Jeff James, CEO of Innovo Research. "By combining our expertise in clinical trial management and value-based care with Eagle Physicians' dedication to patient-centered care, we can offer more opportunities for patients to access cutting-edge treatments while advancing medical innovation."
Expanding Access to Clinical Trials
Eagle Physicians, established in 1995 by five long-standing Greensboro primary care medical groups, has evolved into a comprehensive healthcare provider with multiple specialties including family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, endocrinology, and gastroenterology.
With over 70 physicians and advanced practice providers, the organization serves approximately 80,000 patients across North Carolina, with nearly 25% being senior patients. This extensive patient population represents a significant opportunity to diversify clinical trial participation.
Michele Kadlec, CEO of Eagle Physicians, emphasized the alignment with their organizational mission: "This collaboration is a natural extension of our mission to provide high-quality care. Partnering with Innovo Research allows us to bring clinical trials directly to our patients, offering them access to new treatments without having to leave their trusted healthcare providers."
Value-Based Care and Clinical Research Integration
The partnership represents a growing trend of integrating clinical research into value-based care models. As an IRO, Innovo Research specializes in operationalizing clinical trials within accountable care organizations (ACOs) and physician-led care models.
Founded by Wilmington Health and Christie Clinic—two leading value-based care organizations—Innovo Research has developed a model that enhances trial enrollment, patient engagement, and study execution while maintaining focus on quality patient care.
This approach addresses several persistent challenges in clinical research:
- Improving patient recruitment and retention rates
- Reducing barriers to trial participation for diverse patient populations
- Enhancing the efficiency of trial execution
- Delivering higher-quality data to sponsors and contract research organizations (CROs)
Implications for Healthcare Innovation
The integration of clinical research into community-based care settings has significant implications for advancing medical innovation. By bringing trials directly to where patients already receive care, several benefits emerge:
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Enhanced patient experience: Patients can participate in cutting-edge research while maintaining relationships with their trusted healthcare providers.
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Increased diversity in clinical trials: Community-based research can help address historical underrepresentation of certain populations in clinical studies.
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Accelerated medical innovation: Streamlined recruitment and execution can potentially speed the development of new treatments.
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Value generation in healthcare: Research participation creates additional value streams for healthcare organizations operating in value-based care models.
Future Directions
The partnership between Innovo Research and Eagle Physicians represents part of a broader strategy to build a nationwide network of clinical research sites integrated within value-based care organizations.
As healthcare continues to evolve toward value-based models, the integration of clinical research may become an increasingly important component of comprehensive care delivery, offering patients expanded treatment options while contributing to medical advancement.
For healthcare organizations operating in competitive environments, the ability to offer clinical trial access may also serve as a differentiating factor in patient recruitment and retention strategies.
