Clinical trials are a cornerstone of advancing health research and improving patient care. But complex processes and administrative hurdles can slow the pace of trial start-up and prevent hospitals and research institutions from fueling research at full capacity. Now, an innovative clinical trial agreement is making study start-up easier and more efficient for all Ontario hospitals and research institutions conducting clinical trials.
Developed collaboratively between Clinical Trials Ontario and the Ontario Leadership Table for Clinical Trials, the new Ontario Universal Agreement for Clinical Trials (UACT) is a standardized clinical trial agreement designed to serve as a non-negotiable contract for pharmaceutical drug trials conducted between sponsors and institutions in Ontario. It minimizes the time and resources typically required for contract negotiations, accelerating start-up timelines, improving access to clinical trials, and supporting faster delivery of research outcomes and patient treatments.
“The Ontario UACT represents a major advancement towards our shared goal of activating clinical trials in Ontario within 45 days, helping ensure our province remains at the forefront of global medical research," said Dr. Bradly Wouters, Chair of the Ontario Leadership Table for Clinical Trials, and Executive Vice-President of Science and Research at University Health Network. “By cutting down on administrative delays, we're helping trial sponsors and researchers focus on what they do best—innovate to improve patient care."
This fair and balanced contract was co-developed and strenuously reviewed by legal and operational experts representing the Ontario Leadership Table for Clinical Trials member organizations, which includes the Ontario Hospital Association. Launched in November 2024, the Ontario UACT has already been adopted by eleven of Ontario hospitals, research institutions and global pharmaceutical companies.
“This universal agreement is a game-changer for Ontario's clinical trials ecosystem," noted Dr. Shurjeel Choudhri, Senior Vice President and Head of Medical and Scientific Affairs, Bayer Inc. “It gives our teams the ability to launch trials faster and deliver life-changing therapies to patients more efficiently while ensuring the highest ethical and quality standards."
Unlocking Research Potential Across Ontario
By reducing the administrative effort required to launch trials, the Ontario UACT opens doors for hospitals and research institutions of all sizes to engage with clinical trials and bring more innovative treatments closer to home.
“There is a clear need to make clinical trials more equitable and accessible, and engaging more of Ontario's community hospitals play a key role in achieving that," says Melissa Prokopy, Vice-President, Policy and Advocacy, Ontario Hospital Association. “The Ontario UACT will be especially impactful for resource-limited institutions, and institutions that are looking to expand their trials activity, enabling them to more fully engage in transformative research that benefits patients in the communities they serve."
The Ontario UACT supports a streamlined contracting process that requires fewer inputs, including legal and administrative costs, saving valuable time and resources.
“This tool provides a pathway to help broaden the pool of institutions participating in research, supporting more inclusive and representative trials, while enriching the quality of research and its relevance to diverse patient groups," adds Melissa.
A Toolbox to Enhance Ontario Clinical Trials
The Ontario UACT is the first step in a visionary refresh of CTO's QuickSTART program, supported by the Government of Ontario as part of phase two of the province's life sciences strategy, announced in October 2024. Additional program elements are currently in the planning and development stage, including a standardized budget and informed consent template.
“The Ontario UACT is an essential tool in the new QuickSTART toolbox to improve trial start-up processes and ensure our province remains competitive as a destination for global clinical trials," said Susan Marlin, President and CEO of Clinical Trials Ontario. “We are grateful to the many people who shared their time and expertise in support of this effort to enhance Ontario's clinical trials environment, and create more accessible and beneficial clinical trials opportunities for Ontarians."
To learn more about the Ontario UACT and how your institution can adopt this resource-saving tool, visit www.ctontario.ca and contact Ranuka Srinivasan, Senior Manager of Clinical Trial Supports at Clinical Trials Ontario.