Mayo Clinic collaborates with start-up company to speed clinical trials

By Kelley Luckstein

When a clinical drug trial fails- and they often do- everyone loses. Patients don’t receive new treatments. Companies, investors, and hospitals see precious time, money, and resources evaporate into smoke.

“There’s nothing more expensive than a trial that doesn’t work,” said Dr. Wayne Nicholson, a Mayo Clinic anesthesiologist who often works with pharmaceutical makers. By collaborating with Centerphase Solutions Inc. of Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, the Mayo Clinic is trying to improve its chances.