Optimizing In Vivo R&D with Integrated RockStep and Dotmatics Solutions
Charles River Laboratories enhanced its _in vivo_ R&D by integrating RockStep’s Climb study-management software with Dotmatics Platform, transitioning from complex legacy systems to a flexible, standardized SaaS infrastructure that supports diverse research workflows, improves internal collaboration, and streamlines study design through client reporting as part of its "lab of the future" modernization initiative.
How an Integrated RockStep and Dotmatics Solution Optimizes In Vivo R&D from Initial Study Design to Client Reporting
As a world-renowned CRO, Charles River Laboratories is committed to evolving by adopting cutting-edge scientific technologies and adapting to clients’ changing needs. To ensure stellar and flexible contract research services, Charles River has been modernizing its internal systems and processes as part of its “lab of the future” initiative. This modernization involves shifting from numerous, complex, specialized legacy systems to an integrated, standardized infrastructure of best-of-breed SaaS software. Optimizing operations helps Charles River innovate and collaborate better internally and deliver an improved customer experience through more efficient service and improved communication.
One of the first changes implemented was rolling out Dotmatics ELN to hundreds of early-discovery researchers working across biology, chemistry, and DMPK. Researchers leverage the solution for database searching, compound registration, analytical/purification workflow creation, and remote collaboration. The success of this project prompted further collaboration with Dotmatics, this time in the area of in vivo research, where the integration of Dotmatics Platform with RockStep’s Climb in vivo study-management software offers a comprehensive solution for digitalizing in vivo research.
Charles River’s Goals in Digitalizing Its In Vivo Labs
When seeking a solution to digitalize its in vivo early-discovery labs, Charles River needed both flexibility and standardization:
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Flexibility for diverse R&D workflow support: The solution needed to support R&D efforts across different specialty areas, such as oncology, metabolics, and cardiovascular research. It had to enable fast, flexible study design, manage subsequent lab workflows, tasks, and resources at both macro and micro levels, and prepare the organization to measure efficiency and KPIs.
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Rigidity for a cohesive UX and regulation enforcement: The team also wanted baseline standardization to ensure a consistent experience for all researchers and external clients. Some rigidity was necessary to enforce policies and procedures related to in vivo research regulations.
An Integrated RockStep and Dotmatics In Vivo R&D Solution
Charles River Laboratories chose to work with RockStep and Dotmatics for their industry-leading solutions:
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Charles River designs and executes early discovery in vivo studies across global sites and disciplines, generating complex data that must be collected, analyzed, reported to clients, and used to inform further R&D.
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RockStep’s Climb Platform provides capabilities for in vivo study design, execution, and summary creation using reusable, customizable, and scalable templates; comprehensive task and resource management; quality control; and digitization of diverse study data (e.g., dosing, measurement, sampling data).
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Dotmatics Platform unites all components within a complete scientific R&D platform, facilitating study pricing and proposal creation/review, automation of drug-therapy formulation, harmonization of study data from RockStep Climb, federated data search, graphing, visualization, and reporting for both internal users and clients, and seamless export of data to specialty statistics and analytics tools.
Benefits of a RockStep & Dotmatics In Vivo R&D Solution
The integrated solution has enabled Charles River Laboratories to achieve:
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Data-driven labs: Study data is digitized and can be leveraged to refine research. Systems and processes are in place to harmonize, integrate, and analyze data to directly inform research decisions and processes.
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Future-proof labs: SaaS cloud-based solutions have reduced technical debt, ensured up-to-date technology, and freed internal IT resources to focus on deployment and security management.
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High ROI: The integrated solution offers greater potential return on investment through improved research quality and efficiency, reduced errors, better data-driven decision making, faster turnaround, and higher employee and client satisfaction.
On-Demand Webinar: The Game Changer in In Vivo Research - Digitalizing the Lab
An on-demand webinar, "The Game Changer in In Vivo Research: Digitalizing the Lab," explores:
- Charles River’s In Vivo R&D Platform: Migration to RockStep’s Climb in vivo study management software and Dotmatics’ scientific R&D Platform, delivering standardization, adaptability, and flexibility for rapid study design, execution, and reporting.
- Study Optimization: Ways to optimize in vivo studies, from improving set-up and execution to scaling research regardless of study type or complexity.
- Data Challenges: Best practices for overcoming lab-data-management challenges, such as data silos and interoperability.
- Change Management: Expert advice on phased steps for successful digital transformation, including needs analysis, stakeholder buy-in, objective alignment, onboarding and training, and metrics- and ROI-based assessment.
Panelists include experts from:
- Charles River Laboratories – Jason Davis, Director and Product Owner
- RockStep Solutions – Chuck Donnelly, CEO and Co-founder
- Dotmatics – Pamela Seida, Principal Application Scientist, and Michael Moss, Regional Vice President of North America Services
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