California-based Science 37 strives to “make virtual the new reality” by enabling patients to participate in clinical trials from the comforts of their own home. Their platform is the industry’s first (and as of yet, only) comprehensive way to manage a trial from recruitment and patient engagement all the way through to monitoring and analytics.
Since COVID-19 turned many aspects of daily life upside down earlier this year, much of medicine has been focused on finding a vaccine, tracking the spread, or keeping hospitals well-supplied during an influx of critically ill patients. Many apps and platforms have popped up that help providers and patients connect for virtual visits, keeping people distanced and out of harm’s way as much as possible. Science 37 took that concept a step further, and developed a system for research and clinical trials to continue despite the new safer-at-home environment.
Science 37 connects investigators with a patient population, research coordinators, and mobile nurses. Even outside of quarantine culture, the Science 37 platform helps reach a wider, more representative patient population than could otherwise be reached if they were required to make regular hospital or clinic visits.
Recently, the company closed a $40 million funding round led by Lux Capital, Redmile Group, and PPD, joined by Novartis, Amgen, Sanofi Ventures, GV, and Glynn Capital, all existing investors. New investors LifeSci Ventures and Mubadala Ventures also joined in. Science 37 CEO David Coman says the company will use the money to support its rapid expansion and develop new technologies.
"The Science 37 mission to democratize clinical research by bringing trials directly to the patients is not only the right thing to do, but it also has had a clear, measurable impact on sponsors' ability to access a more diverse patient population, accelerate research, and bring new medicines to the market faster," he said.
Science 37 has conducted more decentralized trials than any other company and experiences a high level of patient retention compared to traditional in-hospital trials. They recently partnered with ERT, a global leader in clinical data collection, which will enable Science 37 to incorporate ERT’s Respiratory, Cardiac Safety, and Imaging solutions into their trials.
