Background
A UK-based medical communications agency commissioned Elion to conduct a comprehensive literature search to identify biomarkers and imaging markers relevant to acute ischaemic stroke.
The project aimed to inform future clinical study design and required a methodical and large-scale review of guidelines, reviews, conference proceedings and competitor studies. We were brought in as a trusted writing partner to work with the UK med comms team and ensure timely delivery.
The Brief
Commissioned by a partnering agency, we were engaged exclusively to support a comprehensive literature search. Working under their direction, we conducted a search using a systematic approach, ensuring a structured and reproducible process. The objective was to identify biomarkers referenced in review articles, clinical practice guidelines, competitor publications, and conference proceedings that were relevant for acute ischaemic stroke. We captured our findings in a structured, categorised spreadsheet that included details of biomarker type, clinical case use, relevance to disease management, and relationship to competitor products. This systematic approach allowed data to be distilled into key summary tables, providing the industry client with clear, evidence-based insights to inform future decision-making.
We were particularly excited about this brief, as it drew directly on our team’s expertise, especially that of our medical writers, who have extensive backgrounds in clinical cardiology research and biomarker analysis.
Our Solution
To support a scalable and collaborative workflow, we implemented a live tracking system that enabled multiple writers to contribute simultaneously while maintaining consistency and accuracy across all data entries. Our team followed the UK agency’s methodology closely, ensuring meticulous attention to detail, precise categorisation, and full alignment with the reporting format required by the end client.
One of the key strengths of this project was our ability to operate effectively across time zones. With our writing team based in New Zealand, progress continued overnight for the UK, meaning new content and updates were often ready for review first thing in the UK morning. To ensure smooth communication, we embedded a UK-based project manager within the team to act as the day-to-day contact, sharing deliverables and responding to queries in real time during UK working hours. This round-the-clock workflow significantly accelerated project momentum without compromising quality.
Outcomes
Our support enabled our UK agency partner to meet the project timeline while maintaining the high standards expected by their client.
The final output was a well-structured, filterable dataset that seamlessly fed into the slide deck summary delivered to the client, ensuring traceability and ease of use for future reference.
Our reliable delivery and responsiveness helped them focus on insights and strategic outputs, confident that the groundwork was being handled with care.
Looking ahead
This collaboration highlighted the benefits of global resourcing done well, leveraging time zone differences for round-the-clock progress while maintaining clear, local points of contact
Our ability to tap into Elion’s team and processes meant the project ran smoothly, despite its complexity. We continue to offer flexible, high-quality writing and project support to global med comms agencies, helping them scale at pace, maintain quality, and delight their clients.at pace, maintain quality, and delight their clients.
