Editorial Perspectives On Patient Recruitment

41. How An External Control Arm Changed Phase 3 Trials For Brain Cancer 8/19/2021

    Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an aggressive and fatal form of brain cancer that can form in the brain or spinal cord. Unfortunately, drug development for patients with the disease has not seen much progress in decades. Dr. Fahar Merchant, president and CEO of Medicenna Therapeutics, a clinical stage immunotherapy company, is hoping to change that.

42. The Four Essential Pillars of Successful Patient Centric Trials 8/12/2021

    Praxis Precision Medicines is a drug development company using genetic insights to focus on treatments for patients with CNS disorders. Praxis has patient centricity infused throughout the organization and believes taking care of patients and producing successful trials comes down to four essential factors: staff, sites, CROs, and patient insights.

43. How One Biotech Is Taking An Innovative Approach To Alzheimer's Disease 7/15/2021

    Drug development in the Alzheimer’s space is difficult and has been plagued by successive failures over the last 18 years. One company working in that space felt it was time to take a new and innovative approach to find a treatment for patients.

44. Merck's Efforts To Increase Patient Diversity 7/12/2021

    The barriers to minority participation in clinical research are well-known. Despite our knowledge of these barriers, the issues continue to exist. “It’s clear we need to do more of our research in the sites and communities that have access to the patients we are hoping to recruit,” says Luther Clark, deputy chief patient officer for Merck. “I believe one of the reasons pharma efforts to recruit a more diverse patient population have failed is because of our approach."

45. 3 Steps To Address Diversity In Clinical Trials 6/23/2021

    The COVID pandemic in 2020 brought to light the significant disparities that exist in healthcare. But those same disparities also exist in the way clinical trials are structured and conducted. The Harvard Business Review recently published an article that outlines three recommendations for creating representative patient data.

46. Severe Disease Increases Necessity For A Patient-Centric Approach 5/28/2021

    Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a disease caused by a genetic deficiency in a gene known as SMN1, which leads to patients being unable to perform basic tasks such as standing or walking. Scholar Rock recently completed a Phase 2 proof-of-concept trial and is excited about the results and the potential it represents for patients with SMA.

47. Discussions On Diversity – How To Solve Pharma's Patient Problem 5/26/2021

    PAREXEL has released a report titled Discussions on Diversity, which contains learnings from an extensive series of global surveys, focus group sessions, interviews, and Patient Advisory Council meetings. The report highlights feedback from patients, the general public, and physicians who were willing to engage in candid discussions on the topic of racial and ethnic diversity in clinical trials.

48. How Patient Voice Created A More Immersive Trial Experience At Janssen 4/26/2021

    Janssen has been attempting to develop a streamlined clinical trial experience for patients. Kafayat Babajide, associate director of patient portals for Janssen, spoke at the 2021 SCOPE conference and described the company’s goal as having a one-stop shop for patients. The one-stop shop now has a name, which is My Trial Community.

49. Three Things Pharma Must Do To Advance Patient Diversity 3/23/2021

    One of the biggest challenges drug developers will face in 2021 and beyond is the inclusion of more minority patients in clinical trials. The COVID pandemic has put a spotlight on diversity, with a disproportionate number of African Americans contracting the virus while still being underrepresented in treatment and vaccine trials.

50. Janssen's Best Practices For Patient Diversity Success 1/28/2021

    The public's understanding of clinical research has increased as a result of the pandemic. However, that will not necessarily lead to improved patient recruitment in trials, especially among the much-needed minority populations. Cassandra Smith, director, diversity and inclusion in clinical trials at Janssen, believes future recruitment efforts will require heart and will need to lead with humility and empathy.