Taking A Site Network To The Next Level

Author: MRN

At the very tail end of the COVID-19 pandemic, just as the world finally felt a little bit more “normal” and you could shake hands again instead of bumping various joints, there was a small but subtle shift away from both traditionally run clinical trials, and fully decentralized trials.

Traditional trial sites had been left crippled, with staff shortages and patients even less willing to visit sites as the fears of the pandemic had not quite been shaken off. At the same time Decentralized Clinical Trial (DCT) models, which had naturally flourished during the pandemic, were not necessarily the preference – having been used as a solution to a problem.¹ Enter the site network.

What is a Site Network?

Site networks are not a new concept and first started to appear on Sponsors’ radars in the early 2000s. The definition was a straightforward one: “a group of independent clinical sites based upon specific qualification criteria that function as one entity.”² Fast-forward to 2025, site networks, much like the clinical research sites individually, have evolved.

This evolution has led to different networks offering different services and varying capabilities. These can range from large academic / healthcare institutions with their own networks, to smaller, independent networks made up of more community-based sites. However, just as with site selection, it is critical that Sponsor’s select the right network for their trial.

Working with a site network will ideally give a sponsor access to engage with both larger sites, with the facilities to start research right away and trial-naïve sites, community-based sites that have less experience and less visibility to sponsors. In turn, this model will give clinical trials access to more communities and more diverse populations, discovering untapped potential through localized reach.

A site network should provide:

A variety of site models- traditional, hybrid, decentralized/remote etc.
Central trial processes and project management
Quality Assurance/Quality compliance processes
Country/region-specific regulatory and compliance support
Site support, staffing and training as needed
Recruitment and retention support as needed
Access to a global, diverse patient population
Streamlined, integrated technology

It’s these criteria that differentiate site networks capable of providing successful clinical trial sites.

Driving Constant Evolution – Elevating The Site Network

MRN’s Site Network is a true embodiment of the evolution our industry has experienced and, when launched in 2024, created a new kind network by providing sites with support from its well-established Home Trial Support, Site Professional Support and Technology.

Elevating capabilities once again, in January 2025, the MRN acquired VCTC, a UK-based company capable of bringing trials directly to patients in their communities through mobile, pop-up sites, as well as sites that operate extended clinic hours, allowing patients that are closer to physical sites to get appointments that are suitable for them.

VCTC have expanded into Spain and, by joining MRNs network, continue grow and look to expand into North America, delivering clinical trials to more global communities.

By joining together, MRN and VCTC are able to offer one of the most complete, patient-centric site networks in 2025 – providing flexible services that support patients, sponsors and sites alike.³

Learn how MRN’s Site Network can help accelerate your trial here.