How a single patient enrolment helped to build momentum for a highly scalable research model.
When five team members gathered in FutureMeds' small Wroclaw site five years ago, the atmosphere was electric with anticipation. FutureMeds was about to enrol its first patient in a clinical trial.
Today, with over 28,000 patient randomisations across our European site network, we still feel the same excitement for each screening and randomisation. As our approach continues to gain trust from clients, partners, and patients, we face growing pressure to expand our network and meet the industry's demand for reliable site networks.
The First Patient
The team had spent more than five months preparing for this milestone. Monika Paradyz, Site Director, remembers the moment vividly.
"There were only a few of us then, and everyone juggled multiple roles. When the moment of enrollment came, we all froze for a second. Click. A brief pause… Success!"
"The patient was assigned to a group, the system worked, and we all breathed a sigh of relief. That was the moment we felt that everything we had worked on for weeks was finally becoming a reality."
"For the company, it meant stepping up to a new level. For the team, it proved we could rely on each other. And for me? It showed that a dedicated, well-coordinated team can achieve anything, even with a small crew under great pressure."
Where It All Began: Trust as the Foundation of Growth
Our first client took a calculated chance on an experienced leadership team and awarded 2 trials for our company without a track record. Their trust paid off when our site emerged as the top recruiter for a long-term cardiovascular trial. Soon after, we were named the second top enrolling site worldwide for a Lupus trial.
Cameron Glen, Global VP of Business Development, reflects: "Over the last five years, we have grown our client relationships significantly, working directly with Sponsors and CROs. We are increasingly seen as a critical partner, and where appropriate, we have established strategic partnerships. This progress reflects our commitment to delivering value and fostering long-term collaborations."
The Human Element Behind Every Enrollment
Arkadiusz Kasperski, Head of Patient Engagement for FutureMeds Poland, recalls the challenging early days with fondness.
"Building patient engagement from scratch was an amazing experience. When our first study recruitment started, apart from the logo and protocol, we had nothing. No call centre, website, social media presence, marketing department, graphic designers, or patient database. We didn't even have business cards or leaflet templates. So we rolled up our sleeves and got to work."
The COVID pandemic brought additional challenges. "With lockdowns in effect, we had to halt all activities. It was especially difficult for a young organisation like ours, so we shifted focus to what we could control."
Against the odds, 14 months later, our Wroclaw site emerged as the top enrolling site in Poland for our first trial, outperforming 52 more established competitors. This success was quickly followed by becoming the second top enrolling site worldwide for a Lupus trial.
"A lot has changed since then," Arkadiusz notes. "Now we have 24 FutureMeds sites across Europe, a decentralised clinical research service, and many departments buzzing with activity. But one thing remains constant: patients are still our focus."
"Thousands have chosen to contribute to medical progress by putting their trust in us. With professionals who share our passion, we have an impactful future ahead."
The Promise of Progress
As the team grew from 5 to over 500 members, maintaining the high level of personal attention that characterised the first enrollment became a priority. In 2022, the company began developing what is now called "The Promise of Progress: The Progress P.A.C.T."
Melanie Manners, Group Human Resources Director, explains: "The Progress P.A.C.T represents our commitment to driving continuous improvement in outcomes for patients, clients, and our team. It's truly remarkable to witness the professional journey of our founding colleagues over these five years. We recognise that colleague engagement and development are fundamental pillars supporting our company's growth trajectory and market impact, and we intend to support each of our colleagues' journey as we continue to scale."
Looking Forward: Beyond the Numbers
As FutureMeds marks the fifth anniversary of its first enrolment, the celebration extends beyond statistics. Each enrolment represents:
A patient's hope for better treatment
A researcher's quest for breakthrough discoveries
A site team's trust in our systems
Our team's commitment to driving progress
Dr. Wojciech Szczepanik, Executive VP of Site Operations, emphasises the company's mission: "Everything we do, we do for people, especially those in great need. In accordance with our mission, we deliver medicines of the future today and direct clinical trial opportunities to patients who urgently need innovative therapies. That's why we are constantly developing across all indications and expanding into new markets."
The Next Chapter
With FutureMeds' capabilities now extending to all indications and with new expansions and technological advancements on the roadmap, the company is accelerating its growth.
Iwona Tongbhoyai, Chief Client Solutions Officer, shares her perspective: "Within 5 years, we've established our Client Solutions Team as fundamental support for our site teams and a critical bridge between our sites and clients. By working closely with both site and client teams, Client Solutions drives collaborative innovation and develops effective strategic solutions that help clients deliver tomorrow's medicines today."
Each enrolment at FutureMeds is a reminder of the importance of patient-centricity in clinical trials. Each patient has a story, and collectively, they shape how the broader population perceives clinical research—bringing us one step closer to a healthier future for all.
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