Clinical Trial Recruitment & Retention
Space & Time Health partnered with Civia Health to deliver a large-scale clinical trial recruitment programme across the US and UK. Facing a complex participant journey, no established brand awareness and a fixed deadline, the challenge intensified when recruitment targets increased sixfold from 2,500 to 15,000 registrations before launch.
Using site-level planning, data-driven optimisation, PPC, Meta and continuous CRO, we focused on completed participant recruitment rather than vanity metrics. The campaign delivered 15,120 completed registrations, exceeding the revised target and achieving results two days ahead of deadline, creating a scalable recruitment model for future clinical research programmes.
Judges’ comments
This was an outstanding, results-driven campaign with clear SMART objectives and exceptional delivery. It demonstrated strong strategic focus and technical expertise, achieving a 6x increase in completed consent form conversions within a challenging timeframe through disciplined optimisation vs increased spend. The judges were impressed by the robust, well-benchmarked results demonstrating business impact.
The entry clearly showcased what is expected for each element of judging in this category, meeting the overall requirements with ease. An impressive achievement, particularly given the significant scope changes just before launch… Great work!
Kalindini Patel, Opella
The AJAX clinical trial had a clear challenge. To make a complex study feel manageable.
Participants were asked to navigate multiple inhalers, unfamiliar devices and a demanding schedule, creating potential barriers to both recruitment and retention. It needed to feel easier to take part.
We created a campaign focused on one consistent participant experience, strengthening recruitment conversations, improving patient confidence and helping sustain participation.
Exceptional site adoption, high usefulness ratings and positive patient feedback demonstrated the value of this patient-centred approach.
Because when participation feels easier, recruitment and retention are stronger – and the study is better placed to succeed.
IQVIA developed a precision direct-to-patient recruitment campaign for Nocion’s Refractory Chronic Cough study, addressing a difficult-to-identify patient population with unique criteria requirements.
Using behavioural insights, health literacy principles, AI-powered patient modelling, targeted digital outreach, direct mail and a bespoke pre-screening ecosystem, the campaign improved referral quality, reduced site burden and demonstrated a scalable model for hard-to-reach populations.
Notably:
• 74 randomized patients delivered through direct-to-patient and precision recruitment.
• 28.4% of total study enrolment achieved through the campaign, versus a 20% target.
• 22% reduction in non-enrolling sites, improving site efficiency.
• Avoided the need for 31 additional sites.
