By Julie McCann & Laetitia Soudanas
At IgniteData, we’re living through something big. Something exciting. The conversations we’re having with sponsors, the way the industry is responding—there’s momentum. And more than that, there’s purpose.
“I have the humble role of being VP of Sponsor Development at Ignite. And I’m extremely excited about the pace that we’re seeing right now.” – Laetitia
We’re talking to sponsors across the globe—from the U.S. to Germany to wider Europe—and we’re seeing a shift. Sponsors are curious. They’re open. Data Managers are no longer needing to be convinced—they get it. The value of EHR-to-EDC is becoming obvious, and we’re finally at a point where we’re not just helping sponsors—we’re helping sponsors help patients.
Why This Moment Matters
“What makes this moment so exciting is the value it brings to every part of clinical research. We’re talking about pull-through value—to the sites, the PIs, the nurses. That all flows back to the sponsor.” – Julie
We get to be the experts. People look to us for guidance on how to roll out innovation. And at the core, Pharma’s goals haven’t changed: get drugs to market faster, with less cost, cleaner data, and quicker data lock. What’s changed is that we’re finally seeing how we can solve those challenges more efficiently—and we’re showing sponsors how.
Don’t Overcomplicate It
“It’s about not making things too complicated. You’re talking to someone who wants to make life easier—but what does that actually mean?” – Laetitia
It means regulatory readiness. It means audit trails. It means collaboration. And most importantly, it means understanding that every player in the clinical trial has their own goal. Sites want more time with patients. Sponsors want patients at the sites. And Ignite makes that possible. It’s about facilitating meaningful change, not just in processes, but in outcomes.
“Everything has changed in the last two and a half years with the evolution of interoperability. That’s what makes this moment possible.” – Laetitia
Flexibility that Works for Real Life
“It’s exciting and easy with Ignite because we have the freedom to jump off a call for school pickup and hop back in later. There’s trust. And that trust doesn’t impact results—it empowers them.” – Laetitia
Flexibility is built into our culture. Whether we’re jumping on calls at 7 am or 11 pm, we know we’re trusted to deliver. That means a lot—especially in an industry where trust is often eroded. At Ignite, we show up because we care. We care about the work, about each other, and about the bigger mission.
Why We Choose This Work
“I get to choose where I spend my time. And this is the right choice—for me, for my family, for what I believe in.” – Julie
“The tech is exciting, yes. But the real impact? Giving healthcare providers time back with patients. Making data more accurate. Knowing we’re influencing a change in how research and care intersect.” – Laetitia
We’re in a conservative industry. That’s no secret. But we’re in a unique position to help sponsors answer the next question after ‘yes’—which is ‘how?’ And that’s where our team thrives.
We’re connectors. Strategists. Educators. When a sponsor asks how, we introduce them to the right people on our team who can answer that question—because we’ve already mapped it out. Our strength is that we don’t work in silos. We know the value of bringing together each part of the chain.
The Power of Connection
That’s the space we sit in—and it’s a privileged one. To be trusted by both sites and sponsors to help shape the future of trials, accelerate timelines, and ultimately, improve care. We’re in it for the challenge, for the results, and for the people.
And that’s what makes all the difference.
