Challenge Potential reason(s) Potential consequence(s)
Reduced financial support Limited budgets Less discovery of novel molecules
Reduced clinical research workforce
Contract COVID-19 Reduced staff (furloughs, job loss) Work from home mandates Delay in recruitment Delays in data collection and submission Potential compromise in data quality
Reduced laboratory workforce
Contract COVID-19 Reduced staff (furloughs, job loss) Work from home mandates Exclusion of trainees due to social distancing Little to no laboratory research being performed beyond “essential” Delays in publications, report deadlines due to incomplete data Delayed or compromised training of future workforce
Reallocation of resources Shifting portfolios to COVID-19 Less discovery, less clinical trials in oncology
Implementation of novel therapeutics
Deferring trials involving agents that suppress immune system, increase susceptibly to COVID-19 Minimizing therapy-related risk to the patient
Less discovery, less clinical trials in oncology, less enrollment of eligible patients