Clinical Research Organization's (CROs) using Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in restructuring the clinical trials

Healthcare is embracing AI for better diagnosis, drug development, and patient care.  AI can outperform doctors in tasks like tumor detection and streamline clinical trials. This technology has the potential to save billions in healthcare costs. AI's potential in healthcare is undeniable, but its real-world impact on patient care is unclear. Despite limited evidence and concerns raised by studies, the FDA is approving AI tools, and experts predict wider adoption as more data emerges.^[1]

Many clinical trials fail due to poor data management, regulation issues, and trouble meeting goals. Delays and patient non-adherence are additional hurdles. However, AI, big data, and other emerging technologies offer promise. These tools can improve data management, identify suitable patients, and monitor trials in real-time. The growing demand for AI-powered solutions from CRO companies like AiCure, Antidote Technologies, Deep 6 AI, Intel, IQVIA, Medidata, Mendel.ai, Phesi, Saama Technologies, and Signant Health suggests a future where these tools become essential for efficient drug development.^[2]

AiCure, a US-based advance analytics company leverages AI to improve both clinical trials and personalized healthcare. Their focus in clinical trials is on patient-centricity through their AiCure Patient Connect app. This app offers features like real-time medication reminders, adherence monitoring, and secure communication channels to reduce patient burden and improve experience. Beyond the patient experience, AiCure offers a suite of AI-powered tools for trial organizers, including real-time data analysis, site selection, and patient/trial monitoring. They even have tools for personalizing treatment plans and optimizing workflows across traditional, decentralized, and hybrid trials. With a global reach (over 30 countries) and a vast arsenal of AI tools (65+ proprietary technologies), AiCure is a leader in this space. Recent developments include launching clinical site services (Sept. 2022) and participating in a PTSD trial (Jan. 2023) which is ongoing. AiCure is on a mission to unlock the full potential of digital biomarkers. To achieve this, they're looking to explore the wide range of uses for these AI-powered algorithms. They believe that by collaborating with a broader community, they can gain valuable insights and perspectives that will fuel the development of even better digital biomarkers.^[3]

Antidote a US based digital health company, is on a mission to catalyze medical innovation by successfully connecting patients and researchers as the best-in-class recruiter for clinical studies. Antidote offers comprehensive clinical trial patient recruitment services, tailored to each study's specific needs. They leverage a vast network of 300+ partners and an AI-powered online platform to reach potential patients. Patients can opt-in to trials that match their profile. Antidote then conducts a pre-screening process to ensure eligibility. Qualified patients are registered and their information validated to meet study requirements. Lab validations can be performed as needed. Finally, Antidote follows up with clinical trial sites to ensure a smooth transition for enrolled patients. More recently news about antidote is in their partnering with Melanoma Research Alliance (MRA) to improve the clinical trial search experience for melanoma patients and caregivers. Melanoma is a growing concern, with 100,000 new cases diagnosed annually in the US alone. The collaboration focuses on enhancing MRA's Clinical Trial Navigator platform, powered by Antidote Match.  Key improvements include personalized user flows, expanded information on rare subtypes, and options for patients in early disease stages. This initiative reflects their commitment to user centric design and making clinical trial searches efficient and relevant. ^[4]

Deep 6 AI is a US based data mining company with a focus to speed up Clinical Trials with AI. Deep 6 AI is a leader in AI-powered clinical trial software. They connect researchers, patients, and trial sites in a real-time ecosystem. Their key strength is using AI to analyze patient data, including doctors' notes, to identify eligible participants quickly. This eliminates time consuming manual validation and accelerates trial timelines. Deep 6 AI offers several benefits: Find eligible patients before your trial even starts leading to faster patients recruitment, it targets the right patients for each study site leading to improved success rate, it addresses the most pressing issue in clinical trials i.e. ensuring diverse participation in trials, it has simplify screening, validation, and enrollment processes and above all fastens drug development by get new therapies to market quicker. Deep 6 AI's technology uses AI powered matching tool that matches patients to trials based on their complete medical records. Other than this natural language processing (NLP) analyzes doctors' notes and other unstructured data to gain deeper insights while the large network of research sites aids in connecting over 1,000 research facilities. By leveraging AI, Deep 6 AI aims to revolutionize clinical trials, making them faster, more efficient, and more inclusive. On February 2022, Deep 6 AI collaborated with Carle to deploy their AI for clinical trial research. In September 2023, Deep 6 AI launched a new genomics module for their AI platform. This allows matching patients to trials based on both their medical history and genetic profile. And in August 2023 it partnered with Texas Tech to integrate their AI platform into the university's electronic medical records. This will streamline patient matching for clinical trials.^[5]

Intel, World’s Largest PC Microprocessor Manufacturer, tech giant Intel that aims to lead innovation & pushes AI for faster, smarter clinical trials. Leveraging its tech expertise, Intel is a leader in AI-powered clinical trial solutions. Their Intel Pharma Analytics Platform enables remote patient monitoring and data analysis, streamlining trials. Intel also uses AI and IoT (Internet of Things) to improve disease detection, personalize treatments, and support better decision-making in healthcare. Collaborations and success stories starts with April 2018 when it partnered with CRO ICON to use their AI platform for remote monitoring. In December 2022, Intel showcased a successful AI study with Perelman School of Medicine, achieving 33% improvement in brain tumor detection. Main factor is multiple collaborations that enable their platform to be used by academic institutions (Scripps Research) and pharmaceutical companies (Teva, ICON) for various clinical trials. ^[6]

IQVIA US based company formed through the merger of Quintiles and IMS Health in 2016 uses advanced analytics, machine learning, and AI to offer comprehensive solutions for the healthcare industry. Their focus in clinical trials is on accelerating patient recruitment, reducing costs, and minimizing burdens on trial sites. Their IQVIA Connected Intelligence™ platform utilizes a unique combination of data, AI expertise, and healthcare knowledge to optimize clinical trial processes. They actively explore new AI technologies like Generative AI to further enhance their solutions. IQVIA boasts a long history of success in AI-powered healthcare solutions, prioritizing patient outcomes and data security. In February 2019, it acquired Linguamatics to expand their AI and machine learning capabilities. In November 2022, it helped a biotech company predict patient drop-out rates in a multiple sclerosis trial, allowing for better adherence strategies. ^[7]

In conclusion, despite some uncertainties, AI is rapidly transforming healthcare, particularly clinical trials. Companies like AiCure, Antidote, Deep 6 AI, Intel, and IQVIA are developing innovative solutions that address key bottlenecks in drug development. These advancements hold immense promise for faster, more efficient, and more inclusive clinical trials, ultimately leading to better patient care and improved health outcomes.

References:

1.Rebecca Pifer Dive Brief Artificial intelligence could save healthcare industry $360B a year, Published on Jan. 26, 2023; Accessed on Apr.09, 2024.   URL: https://www.healthcaredive.com/news/artificial-intelligence-healthcare-savings harvard-mckinsey-report/641163/

2. Root Analysis, Top 10 Companies That Offer Solutions for Application of Artificial Intelligence in Clinical Trials, Published on September 2023; Accessed on 09 April 2024.   URL: https://www.rootsanalysis.com/key-insights/10-leading-artificial-intelligence-companies in-healthcare.html

3. Rich Christie AiCure Opinion Open-Source AI Platforms: Driving Success through Diversity, Published on Apr 26, 2022; Accessed on Apr 09, 2024.   URL: https://aicure.com/blog/open-source-ai-platforms-driving-success-through-diversity

4. Amanda McDowell Antidote Partner spotlight: Advancing melanoma clinical trials with Melanoma Research Alliance. Published on January 18 2024; Accessed on April 09 2024.   URL: https://www.antidote.me/blog/mra-and-antidote-have-teamed-up-to-drive-melanoma research-forward

5. Laurie Thackeray Deep 6 AI Resource Deep 6 AI and Graticule Partner to Accelerate Clinical Trial Recruitment. Published on 01.05.24; Accessed on 09.04.24.   URL: https://deep6.ai/resources/deep-6-ai-and-graticule-partner-to-accelerate-clinical-trial recruitment/

6. ICON  The power of AI to transform clinical trials. Published on 11 April 2018; Accessed on 09 April 2024.   URL: https://www.iconplc.com/insights/blog/2018/05/18/the-power-of-ai-to-transform clinical-trials

7. IQVIA Preventing Early Drug Discontinuation, Published on Nov 03, 2022; Accessed on Apr 09, 2024.   URL: https://www.iqvia.com/library/case-studies/preventing-early-drug-discontinuation

About the Author:

Shruti  Talashi    

Ms.  Shruti  Talashi  boasts a dual mastery of lab research and writing.  Her doctoral study outcome as M.Phil in biomedical science while studying  breast cancer and an extraordinary masters degrees dissertation work on  exploring role of Gal-lectin in cancer metastasis fuels her extensive  research interests. She has gained few publication in journals. Bridging the  science-public gap is her passion, aided by expertise in diverse techniques.  From oncology to antibiotic/drugs production, she's led and managed complex  projects, even clinical trials. Now, as a freelance Content Coordinator for  Sinoexpo Pharmasource.com, her industry knowledge shines through valuable  insights on cutting-edge topics like GMP, QbD, and biofoundry.