PCM Trials Acquires EmVenio Research to Expand Decentralized Clinical Trial Access for Underrepresented Communities
Key Insights
PCM Trials (search) has acquired EmVenio Research (search) to create a comprehensive patient-centric model for hybrid and decentralized clinical trials, combining mobile research nurse visits with community-based clinical trial sites.
The acquisition addresses FDA concerns about minority underrepresentation in clinical trials, with EmVenio's sites achieving greater than 50% diverse patient participation compared to the industry average of less than 20%.
EmVenio has activated 63 mobile sites across 22+ U.S. states and 10 UK locations, maintaining an impressive 96.9% retention rate while serving previously hard-to-reach communities.
Denver-based PCM Trials (search), the largest independent mobile research nurse visit provider for decentralized clinical trials (DCTs), has acquired EmVenio Research (search), a Durham, North Carolina-based provider of community-based clinical trial sites served with mobile research units. The acquisition, effective immediately, creates what the companies describe as the most comprehensive global capability for patient visits spanning from traditional site settings to patients' homes.
Addressing Regulatory Diversity Requirements
The collaboration directly addresses long-standing concerns from regulatory bodies, particularly the FDA, regarding underrepresentation of minority groups in clinical trials. According to FDA data cited in the announcement, African Americans make up 13.4% of the U.S. population but account for only roughly 5% of trial participation. The disparity is even more pronounced for Hispanics and people of Latin origin, who represent 18.1% of the U.S. population but comprise only 1% of clinical trial participants.
"The acquisition of EmVenio is an important part of our company's overall strategy to further remove barriers for patients of all backgrounds and ethnicities to participate in clinical research, creating the most patient-centric clinical trial model," said Greg Austin, President of PCM Trials (search).
Proven Track Record in Diverse Patient Recruitment
EmVenio has demonstrated significant success in recruiting diverse patient populations. The company has contracted 25 studies across numerous therapeutic areas and activated 63 mobile sites for studies across 22+ U.S. states and 10 locations in the United Kingdom. Notably, EmVenio's sites report greater than 50% diverse patient participation across all locations, significantly exceeding the industry average of less than 20%.
The company has also achieved an impressive 96.9% retention rate, setting what the companies describe as a new standard in the field. This performance addresses critical challenges in clinical trial conduct, where patient retention and diverse recruitment remain persistent obstacles to successful study completion.
Eliminating Geographic and Logistical Barriers
The acquisition strategy focuses on removing practical barriers that prevent patient participation in clinical research. Austin explained the rationale: "Many patients, especially those in underserved rural areas, travel two or more hours to get to a clinical site. This creates a tremendous burden for them, especially considering that many of them are sick or immobile or lack reliable childcare."
The combined model brings trained nurses who are often from the same neighborhood or fully equipped mobile research units directly into patients' communities, effectively eliminating many participation barriers.
Strategic Expansion and Global Reach
This acquisition represents PCM Trials (search)' second major expansion within a month. In January, the company acquired Netherlands-based Clinical Trial Service (search) (CTS), solidifying its ability to conduct global clinical trials. According to Austin, these acquisitions position PCM Trials as "the largest and most experienced clinical research local access provider on a global scale."
Thad Wolfram, President of EmVenio, emphasized the comprehensive nature of the combined services: "Our combined services prioritize minimizing burdens for research participation while enhancing the overall participant experience."
Impact on Clinical Research Industry
PCM Trials (search)' pioneering approach using Certified Mobile Research Nurses who visit patients in their homes has already demonstrated improvements in patient retention and diversity in clinical trials while driving faster study completion. The addition of EmVenio's mobile research site network provides sponsors with flexible options to achieve study goals while serving previously hard-to-reach communities.
The acquisition creates a unique recruitment and visit model that the companies believe effectively addresses regulatory requirements for diverse patient populations while improving the overall efficiency of clinical trial conduct.