A new website called TrialsLoop.com that provides user-generated reviews for clinical trials as well as easy access to participate in clinical trials has recently launched.
Management expects to gradually get patients in clinical trials to rate their experience, share it with others who might be considering entering a similar clinical trial and form a community around their particular disease.
Currently, there are approximately 1.1 million patients enrolled in clinical trials in the U.S.
“Imagine you have breast cancer and, after standard treatment fails, your physician recommends you join a clinical trial which tests experimental medicines. Wouldn’t you want to know what other people are experiencing in that particular trial? How are the facilities? Are the doctors compassionate? Are the nurses helpful? These are all questions that cannot currently be answered because there is a sharp asymmetry of information between those running and funding these studies and those participating in the trials,” said Chance O. Curtis, CEO and co-founder of TrialsLoop.com. “We aim to bring the patient to the surface and let their opinions be heard.”
In addition, TrialsLoop.com makes it easy to join a clinical trial. By having an easy-to-use interface, those looking for a clinical trial can search based on disease as well as geographic area. Once a potential trial is selected, TrialsLoop.com personnel can help patients enroll.
Finally, disease-based communities will be established where those suffering from the same diagnosis, as well as their caregivers and family members, can share their stories and help each other.
“We want TrialsLoop.com to be a place where those suffering from diseases can go to get help, learn from others and discover how clinical trials can contribute to society and potentially help them get better,” adds Curtis.