Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Hire clinical consultants who specialize in your business sector

Select clinical experts who are seasoned professionals with extensive experience in your business and product market. Ask to see a list of past and present clients, and request references.

I recommend: Arkios BioDevelopment International provides clinical development consulting for a range of businesses, and specializes in dermatology, infectious diseases, oncology, gene therapy, plasma products, vaccines and diabetes. DP Clinical serves pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device clients. Hurley Consulting has product development experience with leading international corporations and smaller pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.

Choose clinical consulting firms with reputable skills

Review the services offered by each clinical consulting company, and assess each agency's ability to manage effective solutions for your business. Evaluate each clinical consulting firm's experience, qualifications and certifications, and request successful project examples of the specific skill sets you need.

I recommend: BBK Worldwide provides specialized clinical trial patient recruitment services. Clinquest offers strategic product development consulting and implementation, and features online case studies. Dow Pharmaceutical Sciences provides topical product development consulting services like drug candidate selection, dosage form and packaging recommendations, formulation evaluation and manufacturing support.

Select clinical consulting services that meet your budget

Many clinical consulting companies utilize an hourly or project-based fee structure for short-term projects, while others operate on a retainer with special prices for long-term relationship clients. Your clinical consulting cost will depend upon the scope of your services.

I recommend: Request a quote for comprehensive clinical trial software and consulting services at etrials. Get a cost proposal for clinical and regulatory affairs consulting in the U.S., Canada and Europe at McCarthy Consultant Services.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make sure that it is written into your contract that the clinical consulting company will not provide clinical trial and consulting services for any competing product or business during the course of your professional relationship. Require a signed confidentiality agreement from the clinical consulting firm.