Editorial Perspectives On Patient Recruitment

41. 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."

42. 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.

43. 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.

44. 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.

45. 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.

46. 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.

47. 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. 

48. Tread Carefully Into Virtual Clinical Trials 12/21/2020

    With the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on clinical trials in the U.S. and around the world, everyone is suddenly focused on virtual (decentralized) clinical trials. But if you plan to move your trials to a virtual model, at least one industry executive is recommending that you use caution when doing so. 

49. An ALS Trial Changes The Patient Recruitment Paradigm 10/22/2020

    Kent Leslie, CSO for Amylyx, refers to patient recruitment as the bane of most clinical studies. As is the case in most trials, recruitment for the CENTAUR trial was slow. Although multiple companies competing for the same patients was a likely factor, Leslie also felt a change was needed in the recruitment paradigm.

50. A New Patient-Centric Virtual Trial Targets Rare Cancers 10/20/2020

    The TargetCancer Foundation, with support from Bayer, has launched a study to research genomic testing in people with rare cancers. The study, called TRACK (Target Rare Cancer Knowledge), has already enrolled the first patients in the U.S. Those patients have been diagnosed with rare cancers, including those with cancers of unknown primary (CUP).