An independent clinical research company in Tauranga has become one of just two labs in New Zealand to be receive a Clinical Research Site Award for their participation in studies into migraines.

The award was given to P3 Research by INC Research in recognition of the accomplishments and contributions made by the company.

INC Research clinical research associate Rayone Christante, with the team from P3 Research: Paul Noonan, Nell Ager, Katie Kennett, Patsy Roussel, Dianne Ward and Tricia Noad. Photo: Tracy Hardy.

P3 Research, who also operate facilities in Hawke's Bay and Wellington, perform clinical trials for worldwide pharmaceutical companies, contract research organisations and individual researchers.

Research Manager Katie Kennett says: 'The INC team members said we ‘successfully screened and enrolled at the highest level for the migraine study across Australia and New Zealand'.

'They also said ‘the recruitment rate at this site has far exceeded expectations and did so in the shortest possible time'.”

‘Recruitment' in the research industry refers to the process of enrolling patients onto a study.

P3 Research screened 25 patients, using a team led by Registered Nurses/Study Coordinators Patsy Roussel and Dianne Ward.

INC also commended P3 Research for producing high quality data. The local business was approached by the North Carolina-based international research company to help with the study.

'They asked us to help because the study was having difficulty in Australia and Chile,” says Katie.

'We helped them, and the data we collected showed we were ‘dedicated to excellence'.”

The study looked at a treatment for migraines, and Katie is looking forward to seeing the results – although when they will be, she can't say.

'It's the million-dollar question,” she admits. 'The data gets sent off and then we have to wait patiently for the results.”

Katie says it could be ‘months, or even years' before they hear back.

As a result of this success, Katie says P3 Research has developed a strong collaboration with INC Research.

'It has provided a strong platform to support patient recruitment and the on-going collection of high quality data,” she says.