Charting the Path Ahead: A Conversation with Jeff Huntsman, PCM Trials’ Chief Commercial Officer
The clinical trial industry has faced a year of significant change and challenge – economic headwinds, shifting priorities, and an ever-increasing focus on delivering trials that are not only effective but also equitable and accessible.
According to data from Tufts Center for the Study of Drug Development, the average cost of bringing a new drug to market can exceed $2.6 billion, and delays or inefficiencies at any stage of a trial only escalate this number. The stakes have never been higher for sponsors and CROs to adopt smarter, more agile solutions that streamline operations, recruit and retain underrepresented populations, and ultimately deliver faster, higher-quality results.
At PCM Trials, we’ve spent 2024 laying the groundwork to meet these challenges head-on.
A Year of Growth and Integration
2024 marked a year of transformative growth at PCM Trials. With the acquisitions of Clinical Trial Service (CTS) and EmVenio Research, we’ve expanded our global footprint and strengthened our ability to reach underrepresented populations through community-based research.
“What drew me to PCM Trials was its strategic vision,” says Jeff Huntsman, who joined the company as Chief Commercial Officer in July of 2024. “This isn’t just another company trying to grow revenue. It’s an organization built on thoughtful acquisitions and a deep understanding of the patient journey. These acquisitions were also about geographical expansion and engaging more deeply with the patient journey,” Huntsman explains. “With CTS, we now bring true global reach, while EmVenio embeds us in local communities to connect with underrepresented populations and bring research opportunities closer to home.”
These efforts have already delivered measurable results. For instance, our work on a recent influenza study demonstrated our ability to integrate traditionally siloed activities. “When patients were too sick to come to the site, our mobile clinicians stepped in to conduct assessments at home, ensuring continuity and mitigating risk,” Huntsman shares.
This focus on a seamless patient experience across the clinical research continuum has not only benefited our customers but also strengthened PCM Trials’ internal operations. “Our newly combined Business Development teams came together to create joint account plans and stabilize quickly after the acquisitions earlier in the year,” Huntsman reflects. “We’ve exceeded our goals and positioned ourselves to hit the ground running in 2025.”
A Changing Landscape: Meeting the Industry Where It’s Headed
The clinical trial landscape has fundamentally shifted post-pandemic. Regulatory pressures, such as the FDA’s Diversity Action Plan guidance, have amplified the focus on patient representation, reflecting a growing awareness that diverse, representative trials are essential for public health outcomes. Sponsors and CROs must evolve quickly to meet these expectations, balancing regulatory requirements, operational complexity, and patient-centric strategies.
PCM Trials is uniquely positioned to help sponsors navigate this evolving landscape. By combining mobile visits, community-based sites, and community research centers, we’ve created a unified organization that prioritizes patient optionality and builds trust with patients and healthcare providers alike.
“What’s different now, post-pandemic, is the greater focus on patients and the realization that representative populations are essential for good clinical research outcomes,” Huntsman notes. “Sponsors and CROs can’t afford to approach trials with the same playbook as before. They need partners who understand how to balance innovation with operational execution.”
Looking Ahead: 2025 and Beyond
As we turn our focus to 2025, PCM Trials is building on the foundation laid this year. With a unified team and expanded capabilities, we are ready to help sponsors and CROs tackle the industry’s most pressing challenges, Our strategic approach centers on three priorities:
- Enhancing patient access and diversity by leveraging our expanded global and community-based capabilities to bring research closer to underrepresented populations through proven quality and operational expertise within research naive sites, which maximizes community engagement and outreach.
- Streamlining collaboration across sites, mobile visits, and sponsors for greater trial efficiency.
- Driving differentiation in the market with a focus on quality and collaboration.
These priorities are backed by a commitment to operational excellence. From tailored clinical training programs to the integration of new technologies, we are focused on ensuring every trial is conducted with precision and care.
A Challenge to Sponsors
As the industry continues to pivot, we challenge sponsors and CROs to reflect on their own strategies: How can you leverage new approaches to better serve patients? Are you prepared to adapt to regulatory changes and shifting market dynamics? And most importantly, how are you ensuring that your trials deliver not just results but real impact?
“If you’re a sponsor or CRO reading this,” Huntsman says, “know that 2025 is going to demand more: more agility, more patient focus, and more creative solutions to complex challenges. We are prepared to meet those needs with high quality and fully coordinated research services to drive reach, retention, and results.”
At PCM Trials, we believe in the power of thoughtful partnerships and a commitment to quality. As the world’s largest independent, community-based site network, we expand clinical trial access globally by reaching diverse patients where they live, work, and play. Our approach combines hyperlocal and in-person presence with global reach, reducing barriers to recruitment and retention. Our goal is not just to keep pace with the industry, but to lead it – advancing clinical trials in a way that is equitable, efficient, and impactful.
To learn more about how PCM Trials can help improve your study’s outcomes, visit PCM TRIALS.
