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 leverage SCRI's extensive research network and specialized expertise to accelerate the development of AbbVie's oncology pipeline while improving access to cutting-edge therapies for a diverse patient population.

Expanding Clinical Trial Reach and Diversity

The partnership will tap into SCRI's impressive network of over 1,300 physicians across 20 states, utilizing SCRI's physician leadership and contract research organization, SCRI Development Innovations. This expansive reach is expected to significantly enhance AbbVie's ability to conduct diverse and representative clinical trials for its cancer drug candidates.

Dee Anna Smith, CEO of SCRI, emphasized the potential impact of this collaboration, stating, "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."

Leveraging Advanced Operational Models

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 processes. Accelero's comprehensive framework aims to:

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

A key feature of the Accelero model is its ability to capture and utilize data from electronic health records, potentially leading to more efficient and targeted trial recruitment strategies.

Enhancing Patient-Centered Research

AbbVie's collaboration with SCRI reflects a growing industry focus on patient-centric drug development. Dr. Svetlana Kobina, AbbVie's Vice President of Oncology and Global Medical Affairs, highlighted the partnership's potential to deepen their understanding of cancer patients' needs and treatment journeys.

"Through close collaboration with SCRI and its community sites, we hope to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the treatment paths and health needs of patients living with cancer to provide tailored, patient-centered scientific solutions," Dr. Kobina explained. She added, "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."

By combining AbbVie's innovative oncology pipeline with SCRI's community-based research expertise, this partnership promises to accelerate the development of new cancer treatments while ensuring that clinical trials better reflect the diverse populations they aim to serve.