The Los Angeles-based company has developed a clinical trial operating model, the metasite™, which is based on its mobile research platform, the Network Oriented Research Assistant, or NORA™.
Science 37 CEO, Noah Craft, told us the technology enables participants and researchers to connect safely and securely from the patient's home.
“Today’s clinical trial model is built around trial sites, each of which draws from a local geographic area. Up to 70 percent of potential patients live outside of these local areas,” he said.
“With pharmaceutical and medical device companies spending upwards of $50 billion annually on clinical trials and having up to 90 percent of these trials costing overruns and delays, there needed to be a change.”
By offering end-to-end clinical trial services and removing geographical barriers, Craft said the company can make clinical research faster, ultimately accelerating the discovery of new therapeutics and devices.
The 'metasite'
Through Science 37’s model, physical sites are replaced with a single metasite™, enabling virtual trial specialists to access patients across a wider geographic area and larger demographic population.
“This means that the patient is allowed to retain their existing doctor while benefiting from reduced travel time and access to quality healthcare via telemedicine or doctor home visits when appropriate,” explained Craft.
“Patients with rare diseases or those eligible for precision medicine can gain access to the same trials as those close to traditional sites, despite where they live,” he added.
Craft explained that the company allows sponsors and researchers to streamline trial setup, accelerate recruiement, and improve patient retention. Enrollment, consent, and study execution are enabled by its NORA® platform.
“Meanwhile, metasite study data is securely stored through the NORA® platform, so that data collection and site monitoring can take place in real-time and remotely,” he added.
The recent investment will help the company grow operations and further develop its technology platform as well as expand into new therapeutic areas.
As part of the company's fundraising efforts, Science 37 also secured a strategic investment from Sanofi Genzyme BioVentures. In addition to financial backing, the company will provide Science 37 with technical and strategic guidance through interactions with their international development teams and affiliates.