The ASH Research Collaborative® Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) Clinical Trials Network (CTN) is a mission driven research effort using a collaborative network of clinical trial research sites, a comprehensive patient engagement approach, and optimized clinical trial operations to focused on advancing development of new and more effective therapeutics for individuals with SCD.

The Site Selection Subcommittee, a subcommittee of the SCD CTN Oversight Committee, is responsible for finalizing the criteria for site participation used to evaluate responses to the request for proposals (RFP). The subcommittee operates like a study section, and evaluates sites based on specific criteria. The primary selection criteria for sites include having a scientific research base in SCD at the prospective institution, a principal investigator experienced in conducting SCD clinical trials, similarly experienced research staff, and a sufficient SCD patient population.

The Site Selection Subcommittee consists of two co-chairs and five additional members with few to no conflicts of interest. At least one non-ASH member is appointed to the subcommittee to provide guidance and best practices based on their experiences in site selection for other existing clinical trial networks.

The Chair of the Site Selection Subcommittee serves as a liaison member of the SCD CTN Oversight Committee which convenes as necessary via conference call and up to three meetings per year.