DrugDev, a global network of active clinical trial doctors, has acquired Newton, Mass.-based TrialNetworks. TrialNetworks joins an expanding group of technology-driven solutions to help sponsors, CROs and sites do more trials together.

The TrialNetworks platform is a Clinical Trial Optimization System targeting the quality, efficiency and ongoing management of clinical operations. The platform is a unified, cloud-based suite of collaborative trial management apps and site-facing tools designed to improve processes, ensure transparency and streamline timelines for key aspects of clinical operations. According to the companies, it is used from startup through closeout by sponsors such as Merck, Biogen Idec and Infinity Pharmaceuticals.

Apps such as TrialNetworks News, Checklist, Directory, Visit Guide Library and Training provide study teams with new ways to manage progress and timelines, and motivate and enable sites to achieve essential goals (e.g. activation, enrollment, retention) while spending less time on administration and more time focused on patients.

TrialNetworks fits with DrugDev’s vision to provide a comprehensive suite of standardized services to simplify the life of the investigator and to make trials easier, cheaper and more effective to run. TrialNetworks will join:

• DrugDev Site Services: Uses a large network of investigators to execute feasibility studies, find appropriate sites and create investigator communities for pharmaceutical companies and CROs
• CFS Clinical: Acquired by DrugDev in October 2013, CFS is a provider of technology-enabled investigator payments and site activation services
• Investigator Databank: A global collaboration platform hosted by DrugDev and used together by Merck, Janssen, Pfizer, Lilly and Novartis, the databank eases investigator burden and increases visibility of qualified sites to sponsors.

The acquisition continues DrugDev’s strategy to assemble a unique offering of best-in-class solutions to solve longstanding inefficiencies in the industry.

"DrugDev is committed to providing our valued customers with the best solutions,” said DrugDev president and CEO Ibraheem Mahmood. “When evaluating the site-facing clinical trial technology landscape, it became apparent that nothing exhibits the power, breadth and scalability of the TrialNetworks platform. We are proud that they are joining our family. The TrialNetworks platform will serve as an integration point as we continue to acquire solutions that will help the industry run more efficient trials.”

“DrugDev and TrialNetworks share a passion for optimizing the clinical trials process and driving efficiency through innovative and collaborative technology,” said Eric Silberstein, CEO of TrialNetworks. “We are especially excited for our customers, already accustomed to the advantages of using a Clinical Trial Optimization System, who will benefit from direct access to DrugDev’s solutions that complement our technology.”

TrialNetworks was founded by Silberstein, CTO Ezra Freedman and Vivek Murthy, M.D., an attending physician at Brigham and Woman’s Hospital and an instructor at Harvard Medical School. The company has experienced rapid growth during the past five years. The company and its Clinical Trial Optimization System won the 2014 Partnerships in Clinical Trials award for Disruptive Innovator and Technology of the Year.

TrialNetworks will continue to be led by its existing management team and will introduce new platform apps based on DrugDev capabilities.

DrugDev has a global network of over 80,000 active investigators in 115 countries. In October of 2013, DrugDev acquired CFS Clinical and together they create global, standardized processes to promote collaboration among sponsors, CROs and sites to find, engage and pay investigators.