Principle LTC, operator of 45 nursing homes in the Southeast, and Care Access, a decentralized research organization, have launched a new research hub in Raleigh, NC, with the goal of providing local rural residents access to clinical trials.
The research facility’s opening will support a phase 3 Alzheimer’s drug study. To promote the trial to skilled nursing residents and their families, the companies plan to deploy mobile research units to rural communities to help provide education on brain health and the potential benefits of taking part in clinical research.
As part of this “Community Brain Health” roadshow, taking place throughout October, skilled nursing facility residents will also have an opportunity to see if they meet the pre-screening qualifications to participate in the Alzheimer’s drug trial.
A larger role
Clinical trials are typically held in academic centers in major cities, creating problems with access for rural residents. Clinical trials have also been criticized for excluding some patient groups, including minorities and seniors. The new research site in Raleigh seeks to solve some of these problems, said Lynn M. Hood, CEO of Principle LTC.
“It is abundantly important that our industry play a larger role in the entire spectrum of the healthcare system, starting with clinical research. We are thrilled that our partnership with Care Access is providing this underserved community the opportunity to participate in an investigational Alzheimer’s treatment.”
Principle LTC formed a partnership with Care Access early in the pandemic when the research company brought Eli Lilly’s COVID-19 monoclonal antibodies to Principle patients and other skilled nursing home residents. The venture is believed to have sped up the drug’s emergency use authorization.
