CVS Health is teaming up with Medable to access and engage around clinical trials at select MinuteClinics, the healthcare giant announced Monday.
CVS Health Clinical Trial Services, a new arm at the company launched last May, will harness Medable's software platform to deliver clinical trials with a focus on accessibility and retention to enhance the effectiveness of research, according to the announcement.
The companies note that while clinical trials are crucially important to test the efficacy of innovative pharmaceuticals, less than 4% of Americans actually participate in them. In addition, 30% of participants drop out before trials are completed, and 80% of studies are unable to make enrollment deadlines.
Tony Clapsis, general manager and senior vice president of CVS Health Clinical Trial Services, said in a statement that CVS has the ability to make a significant impact on outreach about trials to underrepresented people as more than 40% of vulnerable populations live within five miles of one of its pharmacies.
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“This dynamic collaboration with Medable will help us intensify our efforts to drive meaningful awareness and access to a broader population, in particular those with mounting chronic illnesses and the vulnerable populations who today are underrepresented in clinical research," Clapsis said.
“Coupling Medable’s software platform and experience with CVS Health’s national reach, analytics, and established clinical trial and care delivery teams and services will further enrich and accelerate our ability to make a difference in the lives of patients and support an improved clinical research process," Clapsis added.
Since its May launch, CVS' Clinical Trial Services business has been working with key partners in the biopharmaceutical sphere and beyond to build new approaches to research and real-world evidence generation. CVS said the new business has played a central role in trials for COVID-19 vaccines and therapies.
By partnering with Medable, it will be able to enhance that work both in person and remotely, according to the announcement.
“Our mission is to bring effective therapies to all patients, regardless of where they live, their social status or race. This collaboration intends to bridge research and science into communities with local access and experience that builds greater trust in health and medicine,” said Sans Thakur, chief growth officer at Medable, in a statement. “Practical applications of Medable technology with the reach and experience of CVS Health gives us an opportunity to harness this time of change and respond differently to unmet needs in local communities.”