UCB is transforming its research methodology by enabling patients to engage in virtual clinical trials from the comfort of their homes, eliminating the need for hospital visits. This groundbreaking initiative is in partnership with Science 37, a California-based company renowned for its decentralized clinical research model. This model not only promises a superior patient experience but also ensures that the data collected is more reflective of patients' real-life conditions.
Prof Dr Iris Loew-Friedrich, UCB's chief medical officer, emphasized the collaboration's potential to innovate and expedite clinical studies in a manner that prioritizes patient needs. Science 37 employs a cloud-based mobile platform, known as NORA (Network Oriented Research Assistant), to facilitate these remote, site-less trials. This platform distinguishes itself by enabling direct engagement between researchers and participants throughout the trial process.
Noah Craft, co-founder and CEO of Science 37, highlighted the company's mission to merge telemedicine technology, decentralized physician networks, and experienced clinical study staff to undertake novel research studies. The partnership with UCB is set to refine the study design process, ensuring it is guided by a patient-centric approach from the early stages of protocol development.
Science 37's virtual clinical trial model has already shown promising results, including greater participant diversity and enhanced trial efficiency and speed. By removing geographic barriers inherent in traditional clinical trials, Science 37, co-founded by Noah Craft and his wife Belinda Tan, is paving the way for a more inclusive and efficient clinical research landscape.
