Clinical Trial Services Office (CTSO)
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Our purpose
To advance The Ottawa Hospital's research mission by providing coordinated clinical trial services that support efficient, compliant trial activation and high-quality study execution, helping bring high-impact clinical trials and cutting-edge therapies to patients.
Overview
The Clinical Trial Services Office (CTSO) is a new coordinated clinical trial service at The Ottawa Hospital, officially launching in November 2026.
CTSO offers optional, tailored services on a cost-recovery basis to support efficient, consistent, and transparent study start-up, activation, and delivery. It provides added structure, coordination, and service capacity for investigators and study teams, while also supporting sponsor engagement and continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen clinical trial service delivery across the institution.
CTSO services will expand over time to support additional study types and stages of the clinical trial lifecycle.
The value of CTSO
For Research Teams that engage CTSO services
- Access specialized expertise and operational support for defined study activities.
- Reduce administrative burden through dedicated clinical trial support and coordinated operational processes.
- Support operational readiness and alignment with applicable regulatory and insitutional requirements.
For the Institution
- Facilitate a coordinated approach to sponsor engagement and the evaluation of clinical trial opportunities.
- Strengthen clinical trial readiness and operational consistency.
- Use operational insights to identify barriers, inform service planning, and drive continuous improvement.
Our service model
CTSO brings together the Trial Coordination Unit (TCU) and Clinical Investigation Unit (CIU) to provide flexible support across key areas of clinical trial delivery. The CTSO Service Model below provides a high-level overview of our service areas and how TCU and CIU expertise contributes to their delivery. Additional information about TCU and CIU services is available on their respective pages.
Sponsor engagement
Supporting early sponsor discussions and connecting study opportunities with the right investigators, teams, and resources.
Site selection and feasibility
Coordinating feasibility and readiness activities to help assess whether a study is a good fit for TOH.
Study activation
Coordinating the activities required to prepare eligible studies for activation.
Clinical research procedure support
Providing specialized support for protocol-required clinical research procedures and participant visits through the CIU.
Process and resource optimization
Turning lessons learned from clinical trial operations into practical improvements that strengthen research readiness and support more efficient trial delivery.
How to access CTSO services
Investigators and study teams are encouraged to engage CTSO as early as possible when a clinical trial opportunity is identified. Early engagement helps CTSO assess study needs, identify required services and supports, and coordinate next steps.
Requests for support begin through the CTSO Intake Form
Sponsor-initiated engagement
Sponsors may contact CTSO by email to explore new opportunities, begin early feasibility discussions, or request help identifying appropriate investigators or clinical teams.
Contact us
Coordinated clinical trial services
Whether you are exploring a new study opportunity, preparing for site activation, or looking for clinical research procedure support, CTSO offers flexible services tailored to the work your study requires.
Have questions about a clinical trial opportunity or CTSO services? Contact us to discuss how we can support your study.
Clinical Trial Services Office
