Innovative Trials announces UK and US partnerships to empower children with cancer and accelerate research

Innovative Trials announces UK and US partnerships to empower children with cancer and accelerate research

Innovative Trials, a global clinical trials patient recruitment company with offices in both the UK and US, has today announced its ambition to accelerate research into childhood cancers, contribute to the development of better care and support and play a part in empowering children with cancer across the world.

To help fulfill this mission, the organization has established strategic partnerships with two charities, both of which are focused on improving outcomes for children with cancer: Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity (GOSH Charity) in the UK and the Oliver Patch Project in the US.

The announcement solidifies Innovative Trials’ relationship with the Oliver Patch Project, which was initially forged in 2023 with the launch of the Retention Patch Program - a joint initiative to boost clinical trial patient retention in pediatric clinical trials. It also marks the continuation of the company’s partnership with GOSH Charity, which formally began in June 2023 and was originally intended to last for 12 months.

Kate Shaw, Founder and CEO of Innovative Trials, said: “Cancer is a cruel and devastating disease, which no family should have to experience. We have carefully selected our charity partnerships because, despite the huge progress that the life sciences sector has made in developing oncology treatments and better diagnostic tools, there is still a gap in our understanding about how pediatric cancer is caused and the best way to treat it. 

“By partnering with GOSH Charity and the Oliver Patch Project, we hope we can support the fight against childhood cancer on multiple fronts - by contributing to the funding of a world-leading Children’s Cancer Centre in the UK and supporting children actively going through treatment right now.” 

Innovative Trials works with some of the world’s biggest pharmaceutical companies to accelerate the development of life-changing treatments. including oncology therapies.

Empowering children through the Oliver Patch Program

The decision by Innovative Trials to select the Oliver Patch Project as its US charity partner extends the company’s commitment to supporting and empowering children with cancer through their treatment journey.

Oliver Patch Project is a nonprofit that aims to empower children with cancer through the power of patches - colorful and collectable designs that can be ironed, sewn or glued onto items of clothing. Children can be enrolled into one of the organization’s programs via their hospital or a caregiver and will receive regular patches throughout their treatment journey, giving them a sense of achievement and community support. The nonprofit’s flagship Patches of Positivity Program also provides monthly collectable cards, animations and coloring sheets, and is also open to siblings.

Innovative Trials has committed to donating six US dollars to the Oliver Patch Project every time a child or teenager enrolls in a pediatric clinical trial where the sponsor has commissioned Innovative Trials’ Retention Patch Program. The company will also be raising money for the nonprofit at industry events and through internal fundraising activities.

Brian Burkhardt, founder of Oliver Patch Project, said: “Since we launched Oliver Patch Project four years ago, we’ve been able to support thousands of children across all 50 US states. We receive constant feedback from parents and caregivers about the positive impact our patches have on children who are going through such a difficult and traumatic time, and our growing partnership with Innovative Trials will mean we can reach out to more children and teenagers, including in other countries. We’re extremely excited about that.”

Collaborating with GOSH Charity in the UK

In the UK, Innovative Trials will raise money towards GOSH Charity’s Build it. Beat it. appeal, which is aiming to raise £300m to help build a new world-leading Children’s Cancer Centre at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH). Designed with the needs of children and families at its heart, the facility will provide increased capacity for research studies and drive a transformation in children’s cancer care to save more lives.

GOSH is renowned for its work as a leading pediatric medical facility; treating and caring for thousands of seriously ill children and young people every day, and carrying out pioneering research to find better ways to diagnose and treat conditions.

Marina Barnes, Head of Community Fundraising at GOSH Charity, said: "We are so grateful to Innovative Trials for supporting our biggest-ever fundraising appeal to help us build a new Children's Cancer Centre at GOSH. At GOSH Charity we stop at nothing to help give seriously ill children the best chance possible and the vital funds they raise will help us improve the odds for children with cancer once and for all."

The company has previously held charitable partnerships in the UK with Crohn’s and Colitis UK, Alzheimer’s Research UK and MS Society, and the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation in the US.