JDRF and TrialReach Launch a New, No Cost Clinical Trial Matching Tool to Solve Critical Challenges in Diabetes Research

NEW YORK, July 14, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- JDRF, the leading research and advocacy organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research, and health technology startup TrialReach, a patient-focused company that helps advance medical research by connecting patients and researchers in new ways to drive medical science forward, announced today a new clinical trial matching tool that will make it much easier for patients to find and participate in diabetes research.

For the first time, people living with T1D will be able to visit JDRF's website and, using Clinical Trial Connection powered by TrialReach Match™, quickly and easily will be matched to the clinical trials they may be eligible for by answering questions about their condition. The goal is for this new, free tool to accelerate the development of new treatments and potential cures by dramatically increasing the number of people taking part in T1D research.

"There has never been a more exciting or promising time in the history of type 1 diabetes research. At JDRF, we're working at the intersection of technology and medicine in supporting exciting developments such as the artificial pancreas and beta cell transplantation," said Sydney Yovic, JDRF Director, Research Operations. "These are incredible advances, yet the development of new drugs, techniques, and devices like them is being delayed by a massive shortage of people taking part in clinical trials."

More than 80 percent of clinical trials are delayed or fail because doctors cannot find enough patients to take part in their research. Based on current figures, approximately 20,000 patients are needed for T1D trials in the United States. And 85 percent of patients never have the opportunity to take part in research because they don't know about clinical trials. "In medicine, nothing can proceed to the best possible outcome if information exists but can't be found by people in need. So many options have been hidden from patient view about clinical trials, which has hindered research and stopped patients from exploring all options. This new interface is just beautiful; it shows what smart software can achieve when it's designed with the patient in mind," said Dave deBronkart, Patient Perspectives Advisor for TrialReach.

This is good news for people living with T1D, like Phyllis Kaplan of Boston, Massachusetts. Phyllis said, "I tried to get involved in trials several times, but each time, I couldn't tell: 'Do I qualify? Do I not? How do I get in touch with the researchers?' Using this technology, I was able to find and take part in a trial quickly and easily. I loved contributing to something so important: finding new and better treatments for people like me."  

Through this partnership with TrialReach, JDRF anticipates a large influx of people with T1D finding and taking part in clinical trials. "The type of increase we're expecting can make a real difference in medical research. That's why we're thrilled to partner with an organization that does so much for so many people living with type 1 diabetes. Our goals are aligned and we're excited to start helping match patients to trials," said Pablo Graiver, Founder and CEO of TrialReach.

The search tool is available at http://www.jdrf.org/clinical-trials-connection.

About JDRF

JDRF is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. Our mission is to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications. To accomplish this, JDRF has invested nearly $2 billion in research funding since our inception. We are an organization built on a grassroots model of people connecting in their local communities, collaborating regionally for efficiency and broader fundraising impact, and uniting on a national stage to pool resources, passion, and energy. We collaborate with academic institutions, policymakers, and corporate and industry partners to develop and deliver a pipeline of innovative therapies to people living with T1D. Our staff and volunteers throughout the United States and our six international affiliates are dedicated to advocacy, community engagement and our vision of a world without T1D.

For more information, please visit jdrf.org or follow us on Twitter: @JDRF.

About TrialReach

TrialReach is helping advance medical science by transforming the way patients connect with it, so that new drugs and life-saving treatments can reach the people who need them, faster.

TrialReach's smart match technology is making all clinical trials machine-readable and searchable. What this means is that for the first time, patients can search thousands of trials in seconds to find a trial for them, just by answering a few simple, health-related questions. By democratizing the clinical trial matching process in this way, TrialReach is empowering patients and helping to drive medical science forward.

TrialReach was launched in 2009 and is based in the U.S. and the U.K. For more information, visit http://www.trialreach.com.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150211/175060LOGO

SOURCE JDRF

Related Links

http://jdrf.org