The reason why the two companies are reviewing the application of wearables is because person-connected technology has the potential to improve data collection in relation to clinical trials. Moreover, the greater simplicity afforded by wearables may help to address problems with recruiting people to take part in clinical trials, such as recruitment, retention and patient engagement.
A further advantage stems from data collection and data analysis, for wearable devices have the ability to collect real-world data for investigational drugs, and for this information to be shared between scientists and with regulator like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
At present, the use of wearables remains a potential, which is why Sanofi and Parexel have come together – to see how effective and time-saving wearable technology is. There is a scarcity of supporting data at present.
Highlighting this, Xavier Flinois, who is President of Parexel Informatics, told the industry website PharmaPhorum: “We believe the use of wearables to collect data from trial participants represents a breakthrough in the digital transformation within the industry.”
The scientist-come-businessman added: “Working with Sanofi, we believe we have a strong opportunity to streamline and automate data collection from multiple devices, collect high-quality data remotely and generate meaningful results, all while reducing burden on patients and sites, as well as lowering costs.”
The potential of wearables will be assessed through a pilot study, focusing on Parexel’s Perceptive MyTrials, which is a clinical trial data-collection platform. The platform aims to produce data relating to investigational therapy and method effectiveness, bringing together data from wearables and sensors. One area to be looked at will probbaly be diabetes medications, an area that Sanofi specializes in.
