Alessandra M. Welker, Ph.D.’s Post

Representation in #ClinicalTrials matters and every patient should have the opportunity to access treatments that could better their lives. That’s why we at AbbVie are working hard to improve representation and diversity in clinical trials. See the bold steps they’re taking to drive systematic change: https://lnkd.in/gQ5cbvnZ #ClinicalTrialsDay #WeAreAbbVie

I don't spend my days in labs or develop life-saving medicines. But I work in service of the clinical research ecosystem, and I have the privilege of witnessing the trailblazing work that happens every day – across TransCelerate BioPharma Inc. member companies as they join hands to tackle challenges in aim to benefit patients around the world. Over the years, I've also seen the #magic of collaboration amplified when stakeholders come together to show 1+1 =3, as amazing synergies happen when we work towards common goals   As humans, we all strive for a healthier tomorrow.  Without medicine we cannot treat patients in need.  Without patients, we cannot conduct clinical research.  Without clinical research, we cannot develop innovative treatments for patients. #ClinicalTrialsDay is a day to acknowledge past, present, and future contributions. Most importantly, I express my deepest #gratitude to the patients. Your #resiliency, #courage, and #trust in being part of the design and journey of clinical research are the true inspiration behind our work. #collaboration #PatientsFirst #TrailBlazers

➡️The Power of Early Patient Insights Historically, patient MR has been pushed to the later stages—usually near product launch or even after. It was mainly considered a tool for shaping marketing strategies, patient support programs, or adherence tools. Today, forward-thinking companies are recognizing the commercial and clinical benefits of integrating patient input from the earliest stages of development. So why do early patient insights matter? Phase 1️⃣ Early feedback from a broader group of target patients on preferences (e.g., oral vs. injectable) and disease burden can help align drug development with real needs and expectations. Phase 2️⃣ Insights into patient preferences can optimize trial design, enhance recruitment and retention and identify unmet needs beyond the trial population to ensure your product can address real-world needs. Phase 3️⃣ Pre-launch insights into how the treatment could perform in real-world scenarios can help in preparing marketing and communication strategies, developing additional support programs, and strengthening regulatory submissions. Still, many companies are slow to adopt this early approach. Why? Decisions may still be driven by the outcomes of early regulatory meetings, and there never seems to be enough time. Given that billions are spent on drug development, it’s hard to believe cost could be a concern. Or maybe it is just an old mindset still lingering. What else could hold this back? If you agree with the importance of early patient insight, give us a thumbs-up 👍 #Pharmamarketing #marketresearch #patientmarketresearch #DrugDevelopment #PatientCentricity #ClinicalTrials #HealthcareInnovation

This article by Jessica Krauser, Jasmine Patel, and Amanda Boughey highlights the crucial role of patient advocacy in the life sciences. At Envision Pharma Group, patients' voices guide every step of the healthcare journey—from research and development to communication and engagement. Patient advocacy is a cornerstone of how we shape the future of healthcare. By listening to and amplifying patient perspectives, we drive change, ensuring medical innovations meet the needs of those they are designed to help. The article explores how we’re integrating patient voices into our strategies, making advocacy a catalyst for action.

The pharmaceutical industry is embracing a revolutionary shift: patient centricity. Gone are the days of top-down decision-making. Today, patient insights drive both commercial and clinical strategies. Disease foundations, advocacy groups, regulators, physicians, and tech innovators are joining forces to place patients and caregivers at the heart of our ecosystem. This patient-first approach is not just a trend but a strategic imperative, ensuring every solution is tailored to real-world needs. By mapping patient journeys and integrating their voices, we’re achieving better health outcomes and enhancing the patient experience. The future of pharma is here, and it's all about empowering the patient. #PatientCentricity

I wanted to share an exciting update on the progress we’re making at Every Cure. Through our dedicated medical team, we’re evaluating the most promising drug repurposing opportunities available. We’re carefully assessing the likelihood that each drug will work for specific diseases, the potential impact on patients, and the feasibility of studying these drugs in clinical trials. As always, safety remains our top priority. We’re incredibly fortunate to be partnering with Worldwide Clinical Trials, a group that specializes in advancing drugs for biotech companies. Together with experts like Dr. Michael Murphy M.D., Ph.D. they are helping us push forward these life-saving treatments. None of us can do this alone. That’s why we’re so grateful for partners like Worldwide Clinical Trials, and why we’re eager to connect with more organizations that can support our mission. If you have data, services, or expertise that can help unlock hidden cures, please reach out to us at info@everycure.org We’re all in this together! #DrugRepurposing #ClinicalTrials #EveryCure #HealthcareInnovation #MedicalResearch

As we start the new year, articles like this give us hope that some pharma at least are heading in the right direction with respect to involving and working with patients throughout the R&D lifecycle. I love this particular quote: “It isn’t patient-centered until you’re doing it with the community, not to or for.” I’d encourage all companies to read this article and reflect on not only what they are doing globally to engage with patients in their work, but also locally. There is alot of focus in Australia with patient engagement at the HTA end of the lifecycle. This is understandable as reimbursement of innovative medicines, medtech and medical services is at the pointy end of access and changing patients lives, plus the sustainability of local operating companies. There is however, real opportunity to engage patients earlier in the process, meaningfully, to improve both the efficiency of clinical trials and build the relationships and understanding that might make the difference when it comes to HTA. We know patients want to be involved. Australia is a destination of choice for clinical trials because of quality, reliability and often speed, particularly in the early phases. Imagine if it further excelled in recruitment and retention due to its excellence in patient engagement, and embracing the full diversity of the population Australia has to offer? If you want to take a fresh look at how your organisation is engaging with patients in the clinical trials space locally in 2024, we’d love to help you to understand where the limitations, roadblocks, and opportunities exist for your organisation. #patientengagement #clinicaltrials #research #pharma #medtech #healthtech #ANewYear #researchanddevelopment #HTA

Patient centricity means creating medicines with - not for people living with chronic diseases and their family caregivers.

This historical look at how the patient engagement function has been managed internally at biopharma companies also includes an interesting timeline of the evolution of #patientengagement. In our constantly evolving business environment, this piece also poses a critical question. Are you ready with broad #compliance in place? Are you ready not only with your internal structure but also across your #productlifecycle? https://lnkd.in/gj_jyMbs