In a significant stride towards promoting health equity and inclusive research, Acclinate, a pioneering digital health company, has forged a collaboration with Merck, also known as MSD outside the United States and Canada. The primary objective of this partnership is to enhance the participation of individuals from the Black/African American community in Merck's oncology clinical studies.
Del Smith, CEO and Co-Founder of Acclinate, emphasized the strategic orientation and proactiveness required to champion health equity through inclusive research. He said "We're proud to be working with Merck because being a champion for health equity through inclusive research takes strategic orientation and proactiveness. We look forward to seeing how our continued collaboration can positively impact patients." This collaborative effort aligns with Acclinate's commitment to becoming an expert in health equity.
The health comapny plans to leverage its NOWINCLUDED platform, a trusted health education and engagement tool designed specifically for the Black/African American community. This platform serves as a space for community members to share their experiences, connect with one another, and access vital health information and resources. The overall goal is to empower individuals to make well-informed decisions about their health, including participation in clinical trials.
Beyond community engagement, the company brings to the table a powerful predictive analytics tool named e-DICT (Enhanced Diversity in Clinical Trials). This tool offers real-time reporting on engagement activities, providing insights into potential participants and community access. Key features of e-DICT include the display of tracking engagement, access potential, and mobilization progress, all driven by a patent-pending Participation Probability Index (PPI).
Further, Adrelia Allen, Executive Director, Clinical Trial Patient Diversity at Merck, in collaboration with Acclinate, stated, "We're excited to collaborate with Acclinate to raise awareness among the Black/African American community of available clinical trials for people with cancer. It is important that our research appropriately reflects the communities we serve."
As a digital health company, Acclinate, focuses on improving health equity through a combination of predictive analytics technology and community engagement. Their approach involves empowered community building across different demographics coupled with data analysis. This unique strategy aims to actively increase representation in pharmaceutical companies' clinical trials while supporting inclusivity in various healthcare initiatives.
The collaboration between Acclinate and Merck signifies a concerted effort to bridge gaps in healthcare disparities by actively involving underrepresented communities in clinical research. By leveraging technology, community engagement, and predictive analytics, this partnership seeks to drive meaningful change in the landscape of oncology clinical trials, ultimately contributing to a more inclusive and equitable healthcare system.
