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Contact: Janice Odell
The Ford Odell Group
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Velos eResearch System License Agreement Announced
— Key to informatics initiatives, open model of information sharing, collaboration Fremont, CA - October 4, 2007 - The Duke University Health System has licensed Velos
eResearch to support its new enterprise-wide strategic business model for clinical trials
informatics. Velos, Inc. will play a key role in these clinical trials initiatives, providing the
infrastructure to further Duke's commitment to clinical research compliance with regulatory and
financial standards supported by technology innovation. The Velos platform will be critical to
strategic directions that include collaboration with other institutions on a national and
international scale.
"In the world of clinical research, the adequacy of support for research operations is critical,
particularly in the form of tools and infrastructure investment," said Steve Woody, Associate
CIO for Translational and Clinical Research for Duke Medicine. "Duke has created a strategic
business model for the future in this area. We hope to cement and extend leadership among
academic centers in supporting investigator- and sponsor-based clinical research."
"It's gratifying to be able to play such an important role in Duke's strategic direction in research,"
stated John S. McIlwain, President and CEO of Velos. "Duke complements and advances our
vision for collaboration and information sharing. We will provide them with the clinical trial
technology support they need as they develop their innovative model for Strategic Business
Units in clinical research."
Initial Deployment
Initially, Velos eResearch is being deployed at the Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center, with a
focus on managing patients and trials. That implementation will move across the health system
and affiliates. An integrated model that will include the financial management of clinical
research is envisioned. Duke will use the Velos core functionality to create middleware to
manage billing for clinical trial patient accounts.
Selection Process
Prior to the selection of Velos, Duke Medicine was using a mix of internal development and
commercial systems. "We looked at the functionality of Velos and found it capable of replacing
much of what we had in place," said Woody.
Mutual Affiliation
Woody was first led to Velos through the strong connection of the Duke Cancer Center to
caBIGTM and its efforts. caBIG, the Cancer Biomedical Informatics Grid, is an initiative of the
National Cancer Institute (NCI) and was founded to link researchers, physicians, and patients
throughout the cancer community. The Duke Cancer Center was well acquainted with Velos
through its participation in those efforts. "Velos is unique in the caBIG arena in that they are
participating in multiple ways," explained Woody. "They are making their product available and
compliant with caBIG standards. No less important is their development activity in other areas to
help support caBIG."
Duke's Mission and the CTSA
The CTSA (Clinical and Translational Science Awards) is the grant process adopted by the
National Institutes of Health (NIH) for investment in the clinical and translational research
infrastructure. CTSA was established to drive translational science as opposed to bench science,
so that translational medicine facilitates the transition of basic science results into clinical
practice for the benefit of patients. Duke was highly ranked among the first CTSA awardees. The
DCRI's alignment with CTSA is demonstrated in its mission statement, "To develop and share
knowledge that improves the care of patients around the world through innovative clinical
research."
"We are especially pleased to serve the researchers in the Duke University Health System," said
Amar P.S. Chahal, M.D., Executive Vice President, member of the Board of Directors and CoFounder of Velos. "Duke is a leader in the clinical trials arena, and the willingness among senior
clinical and information technology professionals at Duke to use this knowledge for the
betterment of all research is exciting for Velos. It adds immense depth to our own stated
objective to improve the conduct of research to benefit the greatest number of patients with
maximal efficiency through technology and collaboration. This leadership was clearly
demonstrated by Duke's standing among the first 12 recipients of the CTSA, and will be
furthered by the collaborations we are working on together now."
The Responsibility to Collaborate
Woody stated that other large research centers are already collaborating with Duke around Velos.
"Research is not about information technology. Although research is very much dependent on
information technology, it is really about the patient. Being selfish about information technology
or knowledge gained about processes is counterproductive to the health of the citizenry of the
United States and the world. I think it's irresponsible not to share knowledge."
About Duke Medicine
Duke Medicine conceptually integrates the Duke University Health System, the Duke University
School of Medicine, and the Duke University School of Nursing. It is the combination of
research, clinical care, and education that takes place through the efforts of our faculty, staff,
students, and trainees at many different sites throughout our region and worldwide. As a worldclass academic and health care system, Duke Medicine strives to transform medicine and health
locally and globally through innovative scientific research, rapid translation of breakthrough
discoveries, educating future clinical and scientific leaders, advocating and practicing evidencebased medicine to improve community health, and leading efforts to eliminate health
inequalities.
Duke University Medical Center, established in 1930, comprises clinical, training and research
programs. The medical center has one of 40 federally funded comprehensive cancer centers, an
eye center, a general clinical research unit and other highly advanced treatment and research
facilities. Duke University Hospital is licensed for 1,050 beds. Life Flight, Duke's air ambulance
service, flies more than 1,100 times a year to transport critically ill patients.
About the Duke Clinical Research Institute
The Duke Clinical Research Institute (DCRI) is the world's largest academic clinical research
organization. We combine the clinical expertise and academic leadership of a premier teaching
hospital with the full-service operational capabilities of a major contract research organization.
With over 930 faculty and staff, the DCRI is capable of conducting any clinical research project,
from the smallest pilot study to truly global megatrials, medical device trials to outcomes and
quality of life analyses. Our experience stretches from Phase I to Phase IV and beyond,
encompassing post-approval analyses and health economics.
We provide every service needed for successful research, including project management, data
management, site management and clinical monitoring, biostatistics, safety surveillance, and
medical communications. This full portfolio of abilities means our clients, who include
pharmaceutical and medical device makers, biotech companies, and government agencies, can
find a tailored research plan that meets their needs.
Though best known for our pioneering cardiovascular trials, the DCRI conducts studies in more
than 20 therapeutic areas. Our faculty are all practicing physicians in these specialties, applying
cutting-edge research in their own patient care. Their informed input on study design and
interpretation creates more efficient, practical, and hard-hitting research. But without effective
and powerful communications, all of that research cannot achieve the DCRI's mission of
improving the practice of medicine. Our faculty focus strongly on disseminating research results,
publishing more than 300 articles per year in peer-reviewed journals. Their effects on patient
care and the state of medicine are felt around the world.
About Velos
Velos is the trusted clinical trial management resource for investigators, sponsors and academic
leaders throughout the U.S. Its customers include 21 of the top 25 academic medical centers and
research institutions. These customers receive 30 percent of all NIH extramural grants. Velos
eResearch is deployed for clinical research in all parts of the healthcare enterprise and supports a
broad diversity of clinical departments and functional needs. The system fundamentally
improves the way data is collected, organized and shared. A pure Internet technology platform,
Velos eResearch harnesses advanced powers of the Internet to enable research sites, sponsors,
and patients to collaborate in a secure, integrated system platform. System users are freed of
redundant data entry and related time delays associated with most clinical research today. With
emphasis on workflow, Velos integrates the clinical, administrative and financial information
needs of research management. Founded in 1996, Velos is privately held with headquarters in
Fremont, California. For more information, visit www.velos.com.
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