Clinical Trials
Our Focus on Delivering a Patient-Centric Solution to Recruit and Retain Hard-to-Reach Populations
Our Focus on Delivering a Patient-Centric Solution to Recruit and Retain Hard-to-Reach Populations
Patient recruitment and retention in rare diseases can be particularly challenging due to widely distributed and hard-to-find patient populations, the burden of participating in a trial, and skepticism of the health care system overall. These challenges are often exacerbated by lengthy journeys to diagnosis or repeated failed clinical trials. Matrix Clinical Trials and the PPD clinical research business of Thermo Fisher Scientific work closely together to provide flexible and rapidly executed decentralized clinical trial solutions to address these issues.
Recently a subject in a biopharmaceutical company’s clinical trial investigating a rare disease expressed frustration following an in-home trial visit. His bloodwork was not viable for use in the trial and needed to be repeated, but the individual felt uncomfortable with another in-home visit – and was at risk of not continuing in the trial. By activating a Mobile Health Clinic and study staff close to the subject’s home, he was comfortable with the solution and continued the trial.
Click here to read more about how providing a mobile site close to the subject put the trial subject at ease and avoided a potential dropout in a patient population that is challenging to recruit and retain.
– Kellie Matusofsky, Senior Director, Clinical Trial Operations
Matrix Clinical Trials Announces Collaboration with Thermo Fisher Scientific
Matrix Clinical Trials Announces Collaboration with Thermo Fisher Scientific
I am pleased to share that Matrix Clinical Trials and Thermo Fisher Scientific have announced a collaboration to bring clinical trials to patients with innovative decentralized clinical trial solutions. We have been working together since the beginning of the pandemic, using our mobile research sites and expert clinical staff as a critical component of advancing COVID treatments and vaccines, and diversifying clinical trial participant populations.
I’ve seen firsthand that these innovative offerings provide a growing benefit across varying therapeutic areas to reach underserved and diverse trial populations. Our collaboration with the PPD digital and decentralized solutions of Thermo Fisher Scientific strongly aligns with both organizations’ vision of advancing lifesaving clinical research and improving health outcomes for study participants via the application of decentralized solutions.
Matrix’s network of skilled clinicians, virtual principal investigators, and state-of-the-art Mobile Health Clinics enable us to provide robust care services via home visits, on-site support at medical facilities, virtual visits, and mobile sites. Thermo Fisher will be able to expand its PPD clinical research services to help identify, recruit, and retain trial participants while ensuring a positive patient experience.
I’m excited to see what the future holds for this collaboration and for Matrix Clinical Trials!
– Thad Wolfram, President of Matrix Clinical Trials
Thermo Fisher Scientific Enhances Clinical Research Solutions in Collaboration with Matrix Clinical Trials
Thermo Fisher Scientific Enhances Clinical Research Solutions in Collaboration with Matrix Clinical Trials
Mobile research – sites an innovative decentralized trial solution – ease barriers to patient participation, improve trial enrollment
WILMINGTON, N.C., April 19, 2022 – The PPD clinical research business of Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., the world leader in serving science, and Matrix Clinical Trials, a Matrix Medical Network offering, are collaborating to bring clinical trials to patients with an innovative decentralized clinical trial (DCT) solution. The business is deploying state-of-the-art Matrix mobile research sites and expert clinical staff across the U.S. to help identify, recruit and retain trial participants, while ensuring a positive patient experience. At the same time, the two companies are exploring opportunities to expand the collaboration to additional geographies.
Thermo Fisher’s clinical research business is the only clinical research organization (CRO) to use Matrix’s virtual principal investigator network coupled with mobile sites as a stand-alone transportable clinical trial operation. The collaboration demonstrates Thermo Fisher’s continuing commitment to advance decentralized trial solutions for customers and patients.
“We are proud to be a source for one of the latest clinical innovations to enhance patient-centric trial participation,” said Tim Rich, vice president, digital and decentralized solutions, clinical research, Thermo Fisher. “Mobile sites are a key component of our sought-after portfolio of hybrid and decentralized clinical trial capabilities. With Matrix’s experienced teams of clinicians and ready-to-deploy mobile sites, we are able to reach a broader range of participants, including in previously under-represented and under-served communities, without requiring them to travel to traditional investigator sites far from their homes.”
To view a video of Tim Rich commenting on the collaboration, visit mobile research sites.
Thermo Fisher’s clinical research business provides flexible decentralized trial solutions developed across multiple therapeutic areas. The goal is to increase patient diversity and access, and to improve the patient experience, resulting in time efficiencies and data quality enhancements that can help speed development timelines. These services reduce the burden for patients to participate in clinical trials, while providing customers with greater geographic reach through reduced reliance on brick-and-mortar site locations, more timely access to data, improved quality and consistency, and better patient engagement.
“Matrix is very excited to partner with such an innovative CRO in the decentralized clinical trial space,” said Thad Wolfram, president of Matrix Clinical Trials. “We have been enabling decentralized clinical trials and working together since the beginning of the pandemic, using our mobile sites as a critical component to diversifying clinical trial participant populations. As we’ve seen over the last year, these innovative offerings are providing a growing benefit across varying therapeutic areas to reach underserved and geographically diverse trial populations. Our novel collaboration with Thermo Fisher strongly aligns with both organizations’ vision of advancing life-saving clinical research and improving health outcomes for study participants.”
About Thermo Fisher Scientific
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. is the world leader in serving science, with annual revenue of approximately $40 billion. Our Mission is to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. Whether our customers are accelerating life sciences research, solving complex analytical challenges, increasing productivity in their laboratories, improving patient health through diagnostics or the development and manufacture of life-changing therapies, we are here to support them. Our global team delivers an unrivaled combination of innovative technologies, purchasing convenience and pharmaceutical services through our industry-leading brands, including Thermo Scientific, Applied Biosystems, Invitrogen, Fisher Scientific, Unity Lab Services, Patheon and PPD. For more information, please visit www.thermofisher.com.
Decentralized Clinical Trials: Equity for All
Decentralized Clinical Trials: Equity for All
I had the pleasure of participating in the opening panel discussion @SCOPE last week – a dynamic discussion about the patient component of clinical trials, including the impact and value of decentralized clinical trials.
As an industry we have been focused on ensuring diversity in clinical trials for years. Through the COVID-19 pandemic this was a focus – making sure we reached underserved and difficult to reach populations. Matrix Clinical Trials worked tirelessly to bring COVID-19 vaccine and treatment trials to groups like farmworker communities, Native American reservations, urban areas, and rural communities without good access to healthcare.
Across the industry we are building from our focus on diversity to a focus on equity. This may seem like a small difference, but it represents a shift from focusing on the few to focusing on ensuring equity for all. As a community we are committed to this cause and look forward to continuing a dialogue around how we can best make this a reality and bring clinical trials to the patient.
– Thad Wolfram, President of Matrix Clinical Trials
Matrix Clinical Trials and Cambridge Healthtech Institute to Provide On-Site COVID-19 Testing at SCOPE Meeting
Matrix Clinical Trials and Cambridge Healthtech Institute to Provide On-Site COVID-19 Testing at SCOPE Meeting
Health and Safety Protocols Allow Attendees, Exhibitors, Speakers, and Staff to Attend Meeting In-Person
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. and Needham, Mass., January 27, 2022 — Matrix Clinical Trials, a Matrix Medical Network® (Matrix) business, and Cambridge Healthtech Institute (CHI) will be providing on-site COVID-19 testing to support attendees, exhibitors, speakers, and staff attending the 13th annual SCOPE: Summit for Clinical Ops Executives meeting in Orlando, Florida February 7-10. CHI instituted mandatory health and safety protocols, including a requirement of a negative COVID-19 test, to ensure maximum safety at the event. Matrix will deploy a state-of-the-art Mobile Health Clinic and expert clinical staff to conduct Rapid Antigen Tests and provide results within 15-20 minutes.
“With capabilities in decentralized clinical trials, our fleet of Mobile Health Clinics, and a network of approximately 5,000 clinicians and virtual principal investigators, Matrix has enabled clinical trials for COVID-19 vaccine and treatment, COVID-19 testing, vaccination and treatment, and workplace safety solutions,” said Matrix Clinical Trials President Thad Wolfram. “Our team of clinicians is excited to provide peace of mind to on-site attendees, exhibitors, speakers, and staff at SCOPE.”
“As we return to in-person events, CHI is pleased to have partnered with Matrix Clinical Trials as they assist in the COVID testing of our staff, exhibitors, and attendees at this year’s SCOPE Summit event,” said Angela Parsons, Vice President of Business Development, Cambridge Innovation Institute.
The Mobile Health Clinic will be parked on The Terraces in Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando:
- Monday, February 7 | 9a.m.-7:15p.m.
- Tuesday, February 8 | 7:15a.m.-5:45p.m.
- Wednesday, February 9 | 7:15a.m.-4p.m.
About Matrix Clinical Trials
Matrix Medical Network has provided expert care and health services to millions of at-risk individuals where they live and work for more than 20 years. Matrix Clinical Trials leverages their network of approximately 5,000 skilled clinicians, virtual Principal Investigators, and integrated laboratory services contributing to providing robust care services via home visits, on-site support, virtual visits, and mobile sites.
Matrix Clinical Trials provides rapid and scalable decentralized trial solutions to reach hard to recruit and retain clinical trial participants across varying geographies and ethnicities, accelerate clinical trials, and maintain stringent quality and compliance. In the past year Matrix clinicians have conducted more than 11,800 participant visits, partnered with more than 40 trial sites, and supported the rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.
For more information, visit https://mmnprd.wpengine.com/clinical-trials/.
*Matrix Medical Network is the registered trademark of Community Care Health Network, LLC.
About Cambridge Healthtech Institute
Cambridge Healthtech Institute (CHI), a division of Cambridge Innovation Institute, is the preeminent life science network for leading researchers and business experts from top pharmaceutical, biotech, CROs, academia, and niche service providers. CHI is renowned for its vast conference portfolio held worldwide including PepTalk, Molecular Medicine Tri-Conference, SCOPE Summit, Bio-IT World Conference & Expo, PEGS Summit, Drug Discovery Chemistry, World Pharma Week, The Bioprocessing Summit, Next Generation Dx Summit, Immuno-Oncology Summit, and Discovery on Target. CHI’s portfolio of products includes Cambridge Healthtech Institute Conferences, Barnett International, Insight Pharma Reports, Bio-IT World, Clinical Research News and Diagnostics World. For more information visit healthtech.com
Decentralized Clinical Trials: Here to Stay
Decentralized Clinical Trials: Here to Stay
I had the pleasure of attending the first annual Decentralized Trials & Research Alliance (DTRA) meeting in Boston last week and was energized by great discussion with colleagues on the future of decentralized clinical trials.
One consistent theme that emerged is that decentralized trials (DCTs) are here to stay. When DCTs first emerged, they were used to solve for acute pain points like recruiting hard-to-reach populations and improving retention by making it easier to participate in clinical trials. But the ability of DCTs to provide clinical trial access to underserved and more diverse populations has been proven and is a key factor in why DCTs will be adopted for the long-term. And while they will always help address gaps in traditional clinical trials, we are starting to see sponsors consider how to leverage elements of trial decentralization earlier and earlier in the study design process. It was clear from the discussions at DTRA that this earlier consideration is one key to the successful application of DCT solutions.
At Matrix we help our clients from protocol design to clinical outcomes with customizable DCT services. That can mean everything from providing virtual principal investigators, enabling mobile sites, activating clinicians across geographies, providing in-house point-of-care lab services, and more.
– Thad Wolfram, President of Matrix Clinical Trials
Applied Clinical Trials Speaks with Matrix Clinical Trials President Thad Wolfram on Clinical Trial Diversity Inclusion
Applied Clinical Trials Speaks with Matrix Clinical Trials President Thad Wolfram on His Experience Leveraging Decentralization Methodologies to Increase Clinical Trial Diversity Inclusion
While historically trial sponsors have leveraged more traditional methods like engaging advocacy groups, the pandemic fueled clinical trial decentralization and showed the benefits of meeting trial participants where they are through in-home, virtual, and Mobile Health Clinic visits.
Applied Clinical Trials recently spoke with Matrix Clinical Trials President Thad Wolfram on his experience leveraging decentralization methodologies to increase clinical trial diversity and inclusion. Matrix Clinical Trials is shifting the paradigm and recognizing that a clinical trial takes place 24 hours a day, seven days a week, wherever the trial participant is.
Matrix Medical Network Announces Newly Defined Lines of Business with a Strategic Focus on Bringing Expert Care to Individuals Where They Live and Work
Matrix Medical Network Announces Newly Defined Lines of Business with a Strategic Focus on Bringing Expert Care to Individuals Where They Live and Work
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Feb. 25, 2021 — Matrix Medical Network® (Matrix) today announced the evolution of its business into four distinct areas of focus to help address the country’s biggest health challenges. For more than 20 years, Matrix has met individuals where they live and work to assess health and safety, identify and close care gaps, and offer life-changing services that empower them to better manage their own health. With deep roots in clinical assessment and care management services, a network of approximately 5,000 expert clinicians, and a fleet of state-of-the-art Mobile Health Clinics, Matrix was uniquely positioned to rapidly respond to the spread of COVID-19 and remains dedicated to keeping employees safely at work, especially those in America’s essential services industries. Today’s announcement represents a long-term strategic roadmap for Matrix recognizing new and unique health and safety needs in 2021 and beyond.
“COVID-19 caused healthcare companies to rapidly shift gears. The virus also shines a light on the deep-rooted healthcare disparities that leave many patients vulnerable,” said Matrix Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Keith Henthorne. “I am so proud of how the Matrix team was able to both adapt to new realities and sustain the mission we’ve had all along: providing expert care for everyone, everywhere.”
Matrix helps partners reach diverse, vulnerable, and high-risk populations through its team of skilled clinicians providing care via in-home visits, on-site support at medical facilities and workplaces, telehealth visits, and Mobile Health Clinics. Matrix works with partners to customize solutions and incorporate a range of clinical support services, counseling and education, environmental certification, testing and tracing – during the pandemic and beyond – via a mix of on-site and remote settings.
The newly defined business units are Clinical Care, Clinical Solutions, Clinical Trials and Clinical Labs.
- Clinical Care:
- Matrix provides in-home, on-site, and telehealth comprehensive assessments to evaluate health plan members’ health and risk factors, and identify chronic conditions, quality care gaps, and Social Determinant of Health barriers that may otherwise go unnoticed or undiagnosed. Matrix clinicians help members manage their risk factors, enjoy a better quality of care, and experience better health outcomes. Matrix has performed approximately five million member visits since 2011.
- Clinical Solutions:
- Matrix helps America’s workers stay healthy while maintaining businesses’ productivity and continuity by designing custom workplace health solutions including testing, tracing, and return to work services. In collaboration with Cleveland Clinic, Matrix developed a safety verified certification program to help businesses and organizations assess, address, verify, and monitor workplace safety to help individuals return safely and confidently to work.
- Clinical Trials:
- Matrix provides rapid and scalable decentralized trial solutions to reach hard to recruit and retain clinical trial participants across varying geographies and ethnicities, accelerate clinical trials, and maintain stringent quality and compliance. In the past six months Matrix clinicians have conducted more than 6,000 participant visits, partnered with more than 30 trial sites, and supported the rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines.
- Clinical Labs:
- In 2020, Matrix expanded its clinical diagnostic testing with a dedicated laboratory that is both certified under the Clinical Laboratory Amendments and accredited by the College of American Pathologists. The clinical diagnostic and testing services improve patient safety and quality of care, bringing needed preventative and diagnostic testing into homes and workplaces.
About Matrix Medical Network
Matrix Medical Network has provided expert care and health services to millions of at-risk individuals where they live and work for more than 20 years. The organization’s network of approximately 5,000 clinicians meets individuals wherever they are to assess their health and safety, identify and close care gaps, and offer life-changing services that activate them to manage their own health.
Matrix, in partnership with its expert clinical advisory panel, offers customizable solutions across four distinct lines of business via in-home visits, telehealth, on-site support at medical facilities and businesses, and Mobile Health Clinics:
- Matrix Clinical Care helps seniors and other at-risk individuals enjoy a better quality of care, experience better health outcomes, and identify chronic conditions that may otherwise go undiagnosed.
- Matrix Clinical Solutions helps keep workers healthy and businesses run productively by designing custom workplace health solutions and providing testing, tracing, and clinical care solutions. Matrix also offers a safety verified certification program developed in collaboration with the Cleveland Clinic.
- Matrix Clinical Trials provides rapid and scalable decentralized trial solutions to reach broad and diverse trial participant populations and improve the patient experience. Matrix adheres to the highest standards in quality, compliance, and data collection to accelerate trial completion timelines and support trial partners.
- Matrix Clinical Labs is a CLIA-certified and CAP-accredited laboratory that provides state-of-the-art diagnostic services and clinical testing support.
For more information, visit www.matrixmedicalnetwork.com.
*Matrix Medical Network is the registered trademark of Community Care Health Network, LLC.
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Matrix Media Contact:
Elissa Johnsen
EJJ Communications, LLC on behalf of Matrix Medical Network
[email protected]
312-285-3203