College entrepreneurs are using AI to enhance clinical trial accessibility.
American University Students Launch Product to Increase Accessibility to Clinical Trials
A group of students at American University is revolutionizing the way patients and physicians access clinical trials by leveraging artificial intelligence. Their company, FindMyClinicalTrial, aims to make finding a clinical trial as easy as having a conversation, rather than a burdensome search.
Addressing Personal Experience and the Need for Change
Killian Lozach, a rising junior at AU and the founder of FindMyClinicalTrial, came up with the idea after reflecting on his own experience with the medical system. He witnessed his family’s struggle to get a close friend into a clinical trial for ovarian cancer. Inspired by this, Lozach envisioned creating the ”Zillow of the clinical trial world” in October 2022.
Making Clinical Trials Accessible and User-Friendly
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) administers the ClinicalTrials.gov database, but it is primarily designed for research physicians. Recognizing the need for a platform that simplifies the process, Lozach and his team developed FindMyClinicalTrial. Their platform transforms the search for clinical trials into an online shopping-like experience, eliminating the need to navigate complex medical jargon and research.
With hundreds of thousands of clinical trials available, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. FindMyClinicalTrial solves this problem by drawing data exclusively from the FDA website on actively enrolling trials. This allows doctors and patients to search for programs in their region that match their demographic and disease characteristics. The platform is designed to be user-friendly, particularly for patients with limited medical literacy.
Enhancing the Search Process with AI and Chatbot Features
FindMyClinicalTrial incorporates artificial intelligence to streamline the search process further. Genevieve Satzinger, a rising junior and computer science major at AU, is working on the coding aspects of the project. She explains that AI relieves the stress of exhaustive exploration for clinical trials. Additionally, the platform includes a chatbot feature to facilitate a conversational process in finding the right trial.
Partnering for Growth and Increasing Diversity
The team of four AU students has been working closely with AU’s Entrepreneurship Incubator Program at the Kogod School of Business to bring their project to life. They are now seeking partnerships with larger software development companies to make their product widely available.
FindMyClinicalTrial aims to increase the diversity of clinical trial participants by improving access. The team’s ultimate goal is to provide their product for free or at reduced cost to smaller community healthcare centers, particularly benefiting ethnic and racial minorities and individuals from various income backgrounds.
Addressing Gaps in Knowledge and Impeding Quality Healthcare
Lack of diversity in clinical trials creates gaps in knowledge that hinder quality healthcare decision-making, optimal treatment responses, and the development of more effective medications or interventions. FindMyClinicalTrial aims to bridge these gaps and improve healthcare outcomes for all.
Looking Towards the Future
While seeking angel investors and larger partners to grow their platform, Lozach remains hopeful about the future of FindMyClinicalTrial. He believes their platform has the potential to become the go-to service for accessing clinical trials across various medical fields.
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