DCT Japan starts collaboration on home clinical trials in China with Rundo Japan

DCT Japan Co.,Ltd. (Head Office: Chuo-ku,Tokyo, President: Shinsuke Muto; hereinafter "DCT Japan") and Rundo Japan Co.,Ltd. (Head Office: Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture, President: Kenichi Higashiyama; hereinafter "Rundo Japan") have started collaboration in home nursing business in China for Decentralized Clinical Trial (hereinafter "DCT").
The collaboration of home nursing-related services provided by the two companies will help meet the growing demand for home clinical trials in China, especially among global pharmaceutical companies, and contribute to the realization of more compliant DCTs through medical collaboration between Japan and China.

Background and Objectives of the Collaboration

Against the backdrop of the spread of the novel coronavirus, DCT initiatives that do not rely on visits to medical institutions but are conducted in the homes of patients or other locations (such as convalescent homes) are accelerating not only in Japan but also in other Asian countries.
Data from Grand View Research, a U.S. research firm, projects a CAGR of 5.7% for the global virtual clinical trials market from 2022 to 2030, while the CAGR for the Asian region, including Japan, is expected to outpace the global growth at 6.8%. In particular, China is expected to grow the fastest due to its population and geographical factor.
DCT Japan, which has established its own nationwide network of nurses and supports multiple home clinical trials in Japan, and Rundo Japan, which has partnered with medical institutions throughout China to support clinical trials and to develop a medical tourism business in which Chinese patients are undergone medical checkup and treated at Japanese medical institutions. The partnership will combine the strengths of the two companies to provide high-quality home nursing services in China.

Role of both companies

DCT Japan, as the hub of the Asia Region including Japan, will provide overall management of home clinical trials in China (support for the development of infrastructure for home clinical trials including harmonization of operational procedures, training support and quality control for local nurses, point of contact with pharmaceutical companies and other trial clients), while Rundo Japan will select and train local nurses, negotiate with clinical trial sites and establish infrastructure for DCT, and implement home nursing services.

Future outlook

In addition to home nursing services, we will continue to develop other services in DCT (e.g., DCT support by satellite medical institutions, localization and introduction of DCT platforms, etc.) to contribute to further expansion of DCT in China.