Boehringer Ingelheim and Walgreens Collaborate on Groundbreaking Clinical Trial
In a significant move to advance clinical research, Boehringer Ingelheim has partnered with Walgreens to conduct a large-scale clinical trial focused on individuals who are overweight, living with obesity, and/or have type 2 diabetes. This collaboration leverages Walgreens' extensive network of community pharmacies to recruit participants, aiming to improve the diversity and inclusivity of clinical trials.
Enhancing Clinical Trial Accessibility
The partnership is set to utilize survodutide, a dual agonist of GLP-1 and glucagon co-developed with Zealand Pharma, which is currently in a phase 3 programme for obesity and has shown promising phase 2 results in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). By integrating clinical trials into local communities, the initiative seeks to dismantle barriers and improve access to clinical research, particularly for Black and Hispanic adults who are disproportionately affected by obesity and have been historically underrepresented in clinical trials.
Leveraging Walgreens' Network and EmVenio Research's Mobile Units
Walgreens' clinical research business, launched in 2022, aims to utilize its vast reserves of patient data and its ability to identify and recruit patients for both decentralized and site-based studies across its retail network. This approach is complemented by the involvement of EmVenio Research, which operates a fleet of mobile research units designed to reach underserved communities. Together, these efforts aim to address the challenge of recruiting the target number of patients on schedule, a common issue in clinical trials that can lead to increased costs and delays.
A Step Forward in Clinical Research
This partnership marks a pivotal step in making clinical trials more accessible and inclusive. By bringing research opportunities closer to where people live, Boehringer Ingelheim and Walgreens are not only addressing the pressing health needs of diverse populations but also setting a new standard for the conduct of clinical trials in the pharmaceutical industry.
