A large pharmaceutical company was exploring options for more cost-effective monitoring of their global clinical studies.

1. Scaling Up for Savings
with a Flexible Global
Monitoring FSPx Relationship
Case Study
A large pharmaceutical company was exploring options for more cost-effective monitoring of their
global clinical studies. This case study highlights how the client transitioned their monitoring
functions to Covance Functional Service Provider (now termed FSPx) services and how their
relationship with Covance has grown to deliver global scalability and single-vendor efficiency
over the last 11 years.
Smoothly Handling Initial Transition
Challenges
In 2008, the sponsor asked Covance FSPx to manage
100 clinical research associates (CRAs) and clinical trial
associates (CTAs) in 40 countries. At the time, the client was
transitioning from multiple FSP providers at a local level to
a more streamlined, efficient approach with Covance as its
single global provider for CRAs.
Although there was some resistance to this change at the
level of the local affiliates, Covance FSPx worked to develop
relationships at the local level by assigning a global account
director, supported by FSPx managers on a regional and local
level who could partner with client affiliate offices. This effort
provided a clear communication track between all affiliates.
To accommodate the unique differences across 40 countries,
Covance FSPx created a custom integration plan that
evaluated each country’s resource requirements, challenges, team culture and dynamics. As a result, the
FSPx team helped ease the transition and ensured that monitoring timelines were met and deliverables
remained on track.
Quickly Ramping Up
Within six months of the completed transition, the client was so pleased with the results that they felt confident in
doubling the number of CRAs and CTAs through the Covance FSPx model.
By 2011, the Covance FSPx provided over 400 CRAs and CTAs. In addition, the client also had asked Covance to handle
the employment of several Project Management groups.
Expanding the FSPx Model with Custom Onboarding and Training Program
After a few years of steady growth with FSPx, the client wanted to expand their Covance FSPx services in 2013 to
include an enhanced full-time employee model. In this “input-based” model, the client assigned the work and retained
responsibility; Covance FSPx directly managed the staff and took responsibility for resource management, developing a
customized training program for onboarding CRAs.
A few years later, Covance FSPx was asked to perform a continual review of
labor laws to ensure compliance in all countries as the total number of
FSPx staff grew from 600 to just over 800 people.
Highlights
Eased the transition of global
clinical monitoring to a single
provider
Created a custom integration
plan across 40 countries
Rapidly expanded growth of
CRA, CTA and PM staffing
Provided flexibility with
employment models and a pilot
FSPx study
Achieved high client satisfaction
rates with FSPx 850 full-time
employees

2. Piloting a Unitized Model
Recently, the client asked Covance FSPx to support a pilot program starting in one European
country to perform unblinded monitoring work using a Covance-based CTMS instead of the
client’s system. The sponsor wants to leverage Covance systems where they can deliver
increased efficiency and cost savings.
The Results of a Strong, Flexible Relationship
Over the last 11 years, the client has enjoyed a longstanding, flexible relationship with Covance FSPx. They
currently use FSPx in 50 countries for 850 full-time employees, which represents more than
50 percent of their monitoring organization.
As with any FSP relationship, the client faced initial growing pains and integration challenges, but Covance
FSPx has worked to implement strong governance in partnership with the client’s affiliate offices and across
local, regional and global levels.
With this strategic approach to manage clinical resources, the Covance FSPx team has met Key Performance
Indicators (KPIs), achieved low turnover with their staff and received high client satisfaction rates. The client
recently recognized the success of this model in their annual partnership meeting. Here, the Covance FSPx
team received an award for “Leading by Example.” Individually, the Covance global alliance lead for FSPx was
also nominated by the client to receive an additional award and commended for her exceptional work managing
their clinical partnership.
These awards speak to Covance FSPx team’s dedication to advance the client’s program. The team will continue
to offer versatile FSPx approaches to help accommodate the client’s evolving needs for staffing, training and
unit-based work and enable more efficient global study monitoring.
Learn more at www.covance.com/FSPx
2008–2009 2010-2012 2013-2014 2015-2016 2017 2018-Current
Implemented
100 CRAs in 40
countries
Moved from multiple
providers at local
level to single global
provider
Offered varied
types of resource
requirements in
different countries
Performed badge
transfer of clinical
staff to Covance
FSPx across 18
countries
Expanded the model
to enhanced FTE
with managers
taking accountability
for resource
management
Provided resources
in North America
Performed
continuing review of
labor laws to ensure
compliance in all
countries
Flexibly helped with
portfolio expansion
and met increasing
resource needs
Piloting a unitized
model for the client,
with goal of rolling
out a strategic
global program
A Growing, Flexible FSPx Partnership
* Note: Decrease in 2018
CRAs reflects transfer
of selected FSPx CRA
personnel to client FTE
status, to accommodate
the client’s strategic
approach.
*
Covance is the drug, medical device and diagnostics business segment of LabCorp, a leading
global life sciences company. COVANCE is a registered trademark and the marketing name
for Covance Inc. and its subsidiaries around the world.
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