The COVID-19 pandemic originated in Wuhan in the Hubei Province of China in December 2019. The etiologic agent is a novel Coronavirus with a presumed zoonotic origin and a structure similar to the viruses associated with the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). Similar to SARS and MERS, the COVID-19 infection frequently manifests with mild respiratory symptoms. A small share of patients with mild respiratory symptoms progress to acute respiratory distress syndrome or diffuse alveolar damage.
The COVID-19 pandemic escalated significantly during the first phase of the pandemic for which the market players were not prepared. Several restrictions were put in place that impacted the smooth functioning of businesses across the globe. The same was experienced by the players in the medical robotics market. Key players such as Thermo Fisher (US) and Merck KGaA (Germany) reported that the restrictions had led to delays in direct sales of products and services, training, closure of facilities, and would negatively impact their quarterly earnings in 2020 and 2021. Furthermore, players reported disruptions in supply chains as most key players have global operations which were impacted by the restrictions ad trade ban. However, the supply chains were restored in 2021 as policies were put in place to safeguard the healthcare supply chains. Hence, a resumption of operations was seen for the majority of the market players by the second half of 2020. Additionally, a complete restoration of services and supply chain was seen by 2021 as the cases declined, number of vaccinated people increased, and restriction were lifted across the globe gradually.
Clinical trials are irreplaceable aspects of the pharmaceutical industry, a huge driver of company valuations, and the greatest hope for patients suffering from poorly managed diseases. In clinical trials, laboratory tests are used for establishing the inclusion and exclusion criteria, determining the baseline parameters, monitoring the safety of the participants, and demonstrating the efficacy of the investigational product. Drug discovery is the essential preclinical stage where the lead compound is identified. hERG screening is also performed in the initial stages of drug discovery.
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the functioning of several companies and CROs which negatively impacted the clinical trial landscape globally. According to a survey by the Cancer Research Institute (CRI) in 2020, in the US and several countries in Europe, patient enrolment in active oncology clinical trials reduced significantly at the time of the survey. In Europe, only 14% of the institutions continued to enroll patients at the usual rate. Over 200 interventional oncology studies were suspended, and 60% of investigators reported that the pandemic had a severe impact on clinical trials.
Similarly, Clinical SCORE surveyed 363 clinical trial sites across a range of settings, provider specialties, and countries in April 2020. 36% of sites awaiting trial activation reported that the sponsors had postponed recruitment and enrollment, while 48% of sites actively enrolling and randomizing patients said they could not get patients to come for a visit. Research-dedicated sites and those with more than ten trials appear to be the most receptive to virtual visits. The percentage of enrolling sites experiencing substantial delays ranged from 54% to 61% in 2020.
The COVID-19 outbreak has affected the clinical trials and observational studies across the globe as major companies and institutes are facing issues in recruiting volunteers for the study. Additionally, the delays faced owing to the lack of staff is negatively affecting the clinical trials. However, as the impact of the pandemic nullified, most clinical trials resumed their activities.
