AbbVie Partners with Sarah Cannon Research Institute to Enhance Diverse Cancer Trials

AbbVie, the Chicago-based pharmaceutical giant, has announced a strategic partnership with Nashville's Sarah Cannon Research Institute (SCRI) to bolster its community-based clinical trials for novel cancer treatments. This collaboration aims to increase diversity in oncology trials and improve access to cutting-edge therapies for patients across the United States.

Expanding Clinical Trial Reach and Diversity

The partnership leverages SCRI's extensive research network, which includes over 1,300 physicians across 20 states. By tapping into this vast network, AbbVie seeks to enhance the diversity of its cancer trials and gain deeper insights into the treatment paths and health needs of patients living with cancer.

Svetlana Kobina, M.D., Ph.D., AbbVie's vice president of oncology and global medical affairs, emphasized the importance of this collaboration: "This partnership enables us to delve deeper into the challenges faced by medical oncologists, hematologists, patients and caregivers to help us design clinical studies that more accurately represent all patient communities."

Accelerating Trial Enrollment and Management

Central to this partnership is the implementation of SCRI's Accelero operational model. This innovative approach includes centralized screening services designed to streamline patient identification and enrollment in clinical trials. Accelero aims to:

1. Maximize site contributions
2. Optimize site activation timelines
3. Synchronize end-to-end clinical research management

The model also incorporates data capture from electronic health records, potentially leading to more efficient and comprehensive trial processes.

Transforming Clinical Trial Delivery

SCRI CEO Dee Anna Smith highlighted the transformative potential of this partnership: "Working together, we can expedite the development of more treatment options and transform clinical trial delivery, providing greater access to cutting-edge therapies for patients close to home."

By combining AbbVie's innovative cancer candidates with SCRI's research expertise and community-based approach, this collaboration represents a significant step forward in the pursuit of more inclusive and accessible cancer clinical trials.