Breaking Down Administrative Barriers in Clinical Trials
As a medical researcher for 14 years, Amber Hill faced a daunting challenge: administrative tasks that consumed her time and hindered the efficiency of clinical trials. "I think most people do," she said in an interview with TechCrunch, "especially in research." She would rather be analyzing data or building relationships with patients, but the reality was that she spent too much time on manual tasks that didn’t require medical expertise.
The Birth of Research Grid
Frustrated by the inefficient process, Hill took matters into her own hands. In 2020, she founded Research Grid in London, with a mission to automate administrative and data management workflows for clinical trials. The company boasts two patented products: Inclusive and Trial Engine, which tackle tasks such as flagging protocol errors, data extraction, and workflow management.
The current state of clinical trials is plagued by outdated legacy software systems that cause expensive delays during the trial process. Hill emphasized that these systems are "built on old codebases, which means it’s almost impossible for them to innovate." In contrast, Research Grid’s technology is superior, and while displacement may not happen overnight, Hill believes it will eventually occur.
Challenges in Clinical Recruitment
Clinical recruitment is a pressing issue that Research Grid aims to address. "It’s manual, administrative, and hard to find people," Hill said. The process of finding participants for clinical trials can take months, with researchers using non-targeted social ads and parsing health records. This not only slows down the trial process but also raises concerns about participation rates. If there isn’t enough participation, researchers may struggle to understand if a drug or intervention is safe and effective.
Diversity in Clinical Trials
In recent years, the FDA has emphasized the need for more diverse clinical trials, as women and people of color are often left out of medical research. Research Grid’s AI technology can help improve diversity by identifying underrepresented populations and ensuring their inclusion in clinical trials.
Revenue Growth and Future Plans
Despite facing challenges as a solo founder during the pandemic, Hill persevered and is now driving growth for Research Grid. The company’s revenue grew over 20x last year, with expectations of continued growth. "AI is expediting precision medicine, drug development operations, and changing the care pathway for everyone," she said.
As Research Grid continues to innovate and expand its services, it’s clear that Hill’s dedication to improving clinical trials will have a lasting impact on the medical industry.
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