blood microsampling in pharma, clinical trials, and drug development: a smarter, simpler future

Scientists and clinicians working in pharmaceutical research or drug development and clinical trials face challenges in collecting blood samples. Blood sampling is a critical component in clinical research, from pre-clinical animal studies through all phases of clinical trials involving human study volunteers. 

Yet, collecting blood samples using traditional venipuncture blood draws performed by a trained phlebotomist adds to the overall trial costs and is inconvenient for study volunteers.

Today there are smarter, simpler technologies available that enable remote blood microsampling in pharma drug development and clinical trials. Blood microsampling is part of a paradigm shift that is changing the way we design clinical trials and approach drug development research and healthcare.

Welcome To The Blood Microsampling Revolution

The latest microsampling technologies include portable devices based on volumetric microsampling to facilitate remote, small-volume blood collection by anyone, anywhere.

These devices overcome some of the limitations of dried blood spot (DBS) cards or DBS filter papers, which have been reported to have issues with inconsistent sample volumes and hematocrit bias.

Mitra^® devices based on VAMS^® technology can be used by study participants themselves to self-collect blood samples at home and away from the clinic.

The hemaPEN^® device is another volumetric microsampling tool that provides easy sampling beyond the confines of the clinic or research facility. This device can be used for assisted blood collection with a healthcare professional, though no special training is needed.

The hemaPEN simultaneously collects 4 DBS samples from a single subject or single source, with volumetric precision. This device overcomes the limitations of conventional DBS cards, consistently delivering four identical-volume samples of 2.74 µL each.

Running Person-Centric, Decentralized Clinical Trials

To ensure the success of their clinical trials, the study designers, organizers and collaborators must increasingly prioritize the interests of their patients and participants. That means making the process of clinical trial participation as convenient, efficient and rewarding as possible.

Implementing microsampling in clinical trials is one simple way to do this. Offering an option for remote microsampling enables study volunteers and patients to participate from home, which is more comfortable and convenient. Trial staff can follow up with their participants remotely, using digital health communications such as email, video conferencing and secure website portals.

Allowing off-site, small-volume sampling makes things simpler for participants and trial managers alike, saving hassle in the short run and saving money in the long run.

When it comes to blood collection, new and improved microsampling methods are preferred by patients over outmoded methods, such as painful and stress-inducing venipuncture.

Recruitment, Retention, Adherence, and Compliance

Microsampling improves the process and experience of clinical trial participation. Making things easier and more comfortable for participants increases the likelihood of getting better results and streamlines the drug development process.

It increases the potential pool for recruitment, especially in geographical areas where travel or wet-blood shipment would have previously been cost-prohibitive.

It improves subject retention, as participants are more likely to stick with trials when it's more convenient and more pleasant to do so.

And it improves adherence and compliance with trial regimens, as both sampling and monitoring become much easier.

The Science Is Solid

Microsampling methods have been shown to generate results that correlate with those generated by the gold standard associated with wet blood. As a quantitative method that collects precise volumes of dried blood, volumetric microsampling eliminates the hematocrit bias that plagued the imprecise samples associated with old-fashioned dried blood spot (DBS) cards and filter paper.

As seen in hundreds of peer-reviewed articles in the Microsampling Resource Library on the Neoteryx website, side-by-side studies have shown repeated success for blood microsampling, which is compatible with a wide range of analytes. Simply put, microsampling is the future of blood collection for clinical trials.

Smaller is Better, and It Is Working

The microsampling products team at Trajan Scientific and Medical has seen large and small customers in the fields of pharma, clinical trials, and drug development build tremendous momentum in their studies and programs using microsampling technology.

The big success stories show a typical and repeatable pattern of commitment, tenacity, rigor, and follow-through.

We invite you to explore the case studies and projects highlighted on our website and in our Resource Library to witness the success achieved by others. If you have questions, please reach out to our Microsampling Specialists - they'll show you how to replicate that success for yourself, in your own work.

Toward a Smarter, Simpler Future

Technology makes it possible to conduct clinical trials in remarkable new ways that defy old assumptions and expectations. Person-centric clinical trials, virtual clinical trials, and geography-agnostic drug development are all just beginning to make good on their tremendous promise. By "going remote" you can reach more diverse communities – and the people who may benefit most from the new drugs you are trialing. 

When you arm yourself with new innovations such as blood microsampling solutions, you prepare yourself to succeed in a future of better pharma.

Contact a Microsampling Specialist today and take your first step toward success in a new landscape for clinical trials and drug development.