DelRicht Research is proud to highlight the exceptional performance of Dr. Patrick Dennis and his team at Touro Medical Center in New Orleans, LA, whose site achieved top-tier enrollment results in a Phase 2 clinical trial focused on obesity and Type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Their ability to rapidly activate, enroll, and manage patients in a complex protocol underscores the impact of operational discipline and proactive site strategy in today’s clinical trial landscape.

Surpassing Enrollment Targets

The study aimed to enroll 216 participants across 48 US-based sites, targeting adults aged 18 and older with a confirmed diagnosis of T2DM. Within this competitive environment, DelRicht’s site quickly distinguished itself as a top performer.

Dr. Dennis’ team enrolled 12 participants, achieving 267% of their target, and earned recognition as a Top 3 enroller studywide. This level of overperformance reflects not only strong recruitment capabilities, but also the team’s ability to efficiently identify, qualify, and retain the right patients within a highly specific population.

Equally notable was the speed of execution. DelRicht completed start-up from award to activation in just 59 days, followed by screening the first patient only 5 days post-activation, setting the tone for accelerated enrollment throughout the study period.

Tackling Patient Variability with Proactive Strategies

Like many metabolic trials, this study presented challenges related to patient eligibility and clinical variability. One of the primary hurdles was fluctuation in A1c values between prior visits and screening, which risked disqualifying otherwise eligible participants. In addition, patients were required to have well-controlled comorbidities such as hypertension and hyperlipidemia, further narrowing the eligible pool.

To address these challenges, the team implemented point-of-care A1c testing alongside prescreening labs, allowing for real-time confirmation of eligibility and reducing the likelihood of screen failures. This approach ensured that patients progressed through screening with greater consistency and fewer delays.

The site also leveraged its existing patient database to identify individuals who were already stabilizedon antihypertensives and statins and more likely to meet inclusion criteria. By focusing on pre-qualified candidates, the team minimized inefficiencies and maintained steady enrollment momentum.

Speed, Coordination, and Execution

Beyond recruitment strategy, seamless coordination played a critical role in the site’s success. Close collaboration with the sponsor and CRO enabled rapid start-up timelines, while internal alignment across site operations ensured that no time was lost between key milestones.

This level of coordination translated into measurable outcomes: faster activation, quicker first patient in, and sustained enrollment performance throughout the study. It also reduced administrative friction, allowing the team to stay focused on patient care and protocol adherence.

What This Means for Sponsors and CROs

This study reinforces several key takeaways for sponsors and CROs navigating complex metabolic trials:

– Rapid start-up timelines can significantly accelerate overall study progress when paired with strong internal coordination
– Real-time eligibility strategies, such as point-of-care testing, help mitigate variability and reduce screen failures
– Leveraging existing patient databases enables more targeted recruitment and higher-quality enrollment
– Sites that combine operational rigor with proactive planning consistently outperform expectations

Dr. Patrick Dennis and his team exemplify how experienced sites can turn protocol complexity into a competitive advantage, delivering both speed and quality at scale.

Partner With Us

At DelRicht Research, we go beyond enrollment, we build site-level strategies that drive efficiency, reduce variability, and deliver consistent results across even the most complex trials.

If you’re seeking a partner who can accelerate timelines and exceed expectations in obesity, T2DM, and beyond, we’d love to connect. Learn more about our capabilities at www.DelRichtResearch.com or reach out to explore partnership opportunities.