Case Studies
Expertise sharing to accelerate trial set up
The Challenge
ATMP clinical trials are complex and present unique challenges in terms of their operational set up, particularly when being established across multiple sites. Achilles Therapeutics’ THETIS study in melanoma, which uses a personalised, precision T cell therapy targeting clonal neoantigens, was being established across multiple, geographically diverse sites including Freeman Hospital (Newcastle), The Christie (Manchester), The Royal Marsden (London) and University Hospital Southampton. The goal for Achilles was to have operational trial sites as swiftly as possible.
The solution
Using contacts already established within the ATTC and Achilles’ experience, the network of expert teams shared working knowledge of the technicalities and multidisciplinary team delivery requirements to facilitate this trial. Achilles Therapeutics and the ATTC Network combined their expertise in delivery of complex ATMP trials and working knowledge of adoption requirements to accelerate trial set-up and execution.
The results
The THETIS study set-up was accelerated by the support provided to Achilles Therapeutics
Using the ATTC network, knowledge was shared across centres which led to a reduction in duplication of effort and accelerated multiple site set-up. reducing the time taken for patients to enter the trial. The benefit to Achilles was acceleration towards their next commercial development milestone.
The UK became the first country in the world to deliver this ground-breaking new treatment to patients.
We had great support from the Newcastle clinical teams and the wider ATTC network to enable us to treat the first patient on this innovative cellular therapy and then share those learnings with all the other sites in the study
- Prof Ruth Plummer, Director of The Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre
The experience with our cNeT product has given efficiency and capability in sites that have been shared with the network of leading oncology centres across the UK, to enhance our collective ability to deliver innovative new therapies to as many patients as possible
- Dr Shree Patel, SVP Clinical Operations, Achilles Therapeutics
Wider impact
The ATTC network has effectively supported the THETIS clinical trial by closely working with Achilles Therapeutics. The Pan-UK information sharing employed by the network demonstrably accelerating clinical trial set up. This collaborative approach will be employed for all ATMP clinical trials to share expertise across the UK and reduce the time taken to start these challenging trials.
The ATTC network has effectively established a culture of connectivity between sites and sponsors that, when harnessed effectively, can bring new treatments rapidly to patients.
