BioNJ launches initiative to facilitate equity in clinical trials

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BioNJ announced the launch of its Health Equity in Clinical Trials Initiative Sept. 27, which the organization says is part of a commitment to its vision of Health Equity for All.

According to the statewide life sciences trade association, the effort will define concrete issues, identify long-term interventions, support companies to improve equity and access in their clinical trials strategies, benchmark best practices and shape policy.

“Health equity in clinical trials is critical to deepening the understanding of the safety and efficacy of medicines in under-represented populations, expanding access to medical innovation for these populations, and increasing dialogue among the biopharma industry, communities and health systems,” said Amadou Diarra, senior vice president, Global Policy, Advocacy & Government Affairs for Bristol Myers Squibb; BioNJ board member; and chair of the Health Equity in Clinical Trials Initiative. “The life sciences sector plays a major role in addressing equity of care, and BMS is dedicated to ensuring that no patient is left behind. We are a proud supporter of BioNJ’s Health Equity in Clinical Trials Initiative.”

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Another key part of the initiative is an MBA Business Plan Case Competition, which will promote the next generation of diverse clinical trial innovators.

BioNJ says participating teams – each representing four to five diverse, cross-disciplinary students form an MBA and other allied graduate programs – will contribute innovative, out-of-the-box ideas to improve health equity and transform clinical trials. The competition will feature two events in the Garden State, including a Bootcamp for competing teams Oct. 29, and an in-person pitch event Dec. 3, where they will deliver their business plans for review and judging.

“By discovering new approaches, utilizing new technologies and developing new business standards to make trials more accessible, we can work to create more agile, efficient and patient-centered medical research,” said BioNJ Chair Will Lewis, who is also chair and CEO of Insmed. “The competition will include a Boot Camp on Clinical Trials for the students and provide cash prizes for winning teams, as well as opportunities for students to network with industry executives from global life sciences companies that are working to develop and deliver better treatments for common and rare diseases.”

In addition to the competition, the organizations said the initiative will also include the following key deliverables:

• New Jersey Baseline: BioNJ will partner with a variety of organizations with expertise in clinical trials recruitment to develop a clear picture of the current state of demographic representation in clinical trials throughout New Jersey and to identify strategies to achieve more equitable access and participation.
• Collecting & Connecting the Dots: BioNJ will create a publicly accessible virtual health equity portal featuring the work of innovator companies to increase information flow and collaboration between and among organizations, as it said there is currently no unified platform that allows companies to share strategies and publicize their initiatives.

“I’d like to thank our Steering Committee, industry supporters and volunteers,” said BioNJ President and CEO Debbie Hart. “Our goal is to deliver useful protocols and successful models that can be used nationally to strengthen diversity in clinical trials and expand health equity.”