In November 2023, Clinical Trials British Columbia hosted a roundtable to advance BC’s vision for clinical trials. The goal was to inform and engage decision-makers and policymakers in helping shape progress for developing a robust, innovative, coordinated and person-centred clinical trials ecosystem in British Columbia.

Participants at the roundtable discussed the vision’s 13 priorities and shared perspectives on the current state of the province’s clinical trials environment. Three priorities were selected to focus efforts and resources on for the coming year:

• Priority one: Create and sustain agile and efficient business services and operations to support clinical trials (contract negotiation, privacy and security reviews, finance and legal reviews). Develop accountable and transparent performance metrics focusing on fast, efficient approvals and service.
• Priority two: Fund and support sustainable clinical trial infrastructure. Ensure that clinical trial research has timely access to data, biobanks, technology, clinical services, digital tools and resources and is enabled by leading-edge technology, methodology, dedicated spaces and specialized research facilities.
• Priority three: Enable research ethics review to be meaningful, streamlined, timely, effective and supported by transparent performance metrics.

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) recently released Best Practices for Clinical Trials, and our vision priorities strongly align with CIHR’s efforts to advance research excellence. Engagement, advocacy and action is needed. Work to advance the clinical trials vision requires collective effort — individual and organizational alignment will drive success. Clinical Trials British Columbia continues to engage with the community, convene discussions, monitor progress on these three priorities and keep the community updated.