Innovative Trials in running for industry award in recognizing efforts to improve patient outcomes

Innovative Trials, a global company focused on supporting the pharmaceutical industry to accelerate patient access to life-changing therapeutics, has been shortlisted for a Pharmaceutical Market Excellence Award (PMEA) for its collaboration with US nonprofit Oliver Patch Project to improve patient outcomes.

The organization, which specializes in clinical trial patient recruitment and retention, has been named a finalist for Excellence in Collaboration and Partnerships in recognition of its Retention Patch Program – a joint initiative with the Oliver Patch Project to improve patient retention in pediatric clinical trials by offering personalized support and an engaging experience for children and adolescents participating in those studies.

Kate Shaw, founder and CEO of Innovative Trials, said: “This PMEA nomination is a triumph for the whole team, including the Oliver Patch Project, that has worked so hard to make our Retention Patch Program a success.

“As experts in clinical trial patient recruitment and retention, we see time and again the challenges associated with retaining study participants. Through the Retention Patch Program and our partnership with the Oliver Patch Project, we have combined our knowledge of clinical trials with a commitment to patient-centred care and empowerment to address this issue while also creating a positive and lasting impact on the lives of young patients.”

The Retention Patch Program is a service available to sponsors whereby a collection of patches is made available to all study participants enrolled into a pediatric study. The patches are collectable, able to be ironed onto garments and handed out to each child or teenager at set milestones during the trial. Only by staying in the study until the very end can all patches be collected. Innovative Trials funds the first patch for all pediatric study participants with a donation going to the Oliver Patch Project.

Since its launch in February 2024, the Retention Patch Program has been implemented in 16 countries and supported 260 children and young people under the age of 18.

Brian Burkhardt, who founded Oliver Patch Project with his wife following his son’s leukemia diagnosis in 2020, said: “To receive a PMEA nomination for the work we are doing with Innovative Trials to empower and support children and young people in clinical trials is fantastic. Parents tell us how these patches bring some much-needed brightness into their children’s lives, giving them something they can control at a time when many may feel helpless. The Retention Patch Program plays a valuable role in supporting patients and families throughout their clinical trial journey while also benefiting sponsors through improved patient retention.”

The PMEA award programme is an annual event to recognise and celebrate excellence across the pharmaceutical sector in improving patient care and outcomes. Winners will be announced on Thursday 21 November 2024.