Notable Labs—a precision medicine technology company—has forged a partnership with All4Cure to help improve treatment options and outcomes for patients with cancer.
Notable brings to the table its testing platform, which combines machine learning, automation and high-throughput screening of patient samples to predict responses to treatments to determine which are most appropriate. All4Cure has a real-world-data (RWD) powered network of patients, clinicians and researchers that will power the comparisons.
All4Cure’s primary focus is in multiple myeloma, the second most common blood cancer in adults. However, the network also can bring in specialists who treat and research other types of cancer.
Notable CEO Laurie Heilmann told Outsourcing-Pharma (OSP) that while clinical research has been inherently patient-centric, with safety a top priority, the industry struggles with patient engagement.
“For example, in cancer research alone, only 8% of patients with cancer participate in clinical trials,” she said. “This, along with competitive studies, has evolved the clinical research industry to consider how best to engage patients to support the very research that will help patients’ outcomes.”
Heilmann pointed out the Patients as Partners conference as an example of broad industry interest in increasing patient engagement and recruitment. In its 7th year, the online event (scheduled March 22-24, 2021) will virtually gather together pharma company leaders, researchers, patient advocates and other stakeholders to discuss issues and ideas.
“The reason it is important to increase the patient’s role in the pathways of clinical research is because it helps to improve and propel research initiatives,” Heilmann added. “I believe an area for key patient input (other than those already stated) is in advocating for research participation by other patients.”
Tony Blau, CEO and founder of All4Cure, said the collaboration with Notable could lead to promising progress for cancer therapies, with the help of the patients themselves.
“Our partnership with Notable is an important step forward for All4Cure, which is helping to shape the future of cancer research,” he said. “Our patient participants have the potential to benefit from the input of others while contributing their own experiences for the benefit of humanity.”
