Press Release: "Melanoma Research Alliance and Antidote Technologies Unveil Clinical Trial Locator"
New York and Washington, DC (December 5, 2017) - The Melanoma Research Alliance (MRA) today announced the launch of the easiest way for patients diagnosed with melanoma to find and understand clinical trials that are right for them. Clinical Trial Locator, powered by Antidote Match™, enables patients to easily find their clinical trial matches directly on the MRA website.
“In the last seven years, eleven new FDA-approved treatments have come on-line for melanoma. These treatments are making a real difference in patient outcomes, and all were made possible through research and clinical trials. Yet too many patients still don’t benefit from even the latest advances; more research is needed,” said Michael Kaplan, President and CEO of MRA. “We’re thrilled to partner with Antidote to help patients and caregivers find cutting edge clinical trials in which to take part. We know this will expand access to the newest and best treatments and accelerate the pace of discovery.”
MRA’s Clinical Trial Locator leverages Antidote Match, the first clinical trial matching engine that uses structured eligibility criteria and algorithms to explore a patient’s eligibility for every trial. This means that patients need only answer a handful of questions about their condition to be provided with a list of study matches. Clinical Trial Locator’s match results are highly specific to that particular patient, and some are even supplemented with additional details, such as procedure descriptions, number of overnight stays, placebo use, or financial compensation.
“Just over one year ago, we embarked on a mission to connect patients to researchers through partnerships like the one we have forged with the Melanoma Research Alliance,” said Grace McElroy, Head of Partnerships at Antidote. “Today, we are pleased to announce our collaboration with MRA and support those affected by melanoma with potentially breakthrough research opportunities.”
Clinical Trial Locator is MRA's latest resource for patients and their loved ones. Last month, MRA announced the launch of Melanoma > Exchange, an online community of engaged patients and caregivers sharing insights into key milestones, such as diagnosis, choosing treatments, and finding clinical trials. The organization also publishes information and interviews with community members about their clinical trial experiences:
“I would not be alive today, I mean hands down, without clinical trials,” said Jamie Goldfarb in an interview with MRA. “...They aren’t the thing you try on a whim after you’ve tried everything else. They should be considered when you make your first treatment decisions because they are the way to make sure you are getting cutting-edge therapy.”
This year alone, more than 87,000 Americans are expected to be diagnosed with melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer. As this disease is on the rise, there are nearly 300 melanoma clinical trials that need more than 80,000 patients to take part. To learn more or search for a trial today, visit www.curemelanoma.org/clinicaltrials.
About Melanoma Research Alliance
Founded in 2007 under the auspices of the Milken Institute, with the generous support of Debra and Leon Black, the Melanoma Research Alliance exists to accelerate treatment options and find a cure for melanoma. As the largest nonprofit funder of melanoma research, it has dedicated $88 million and leveraged an additional $89.5 million towards its mission. Through its support, MRA has championed revolutions in immunotherapy, targeted therapies, novel combinations and diagnostics. Due to the ongoing support of its founders, 100 percent of donations to MRA go directly to its melanoma research program. MRA's ability to fund wide-ranging research in melanoma is amplified by unique collaborations and partnerships with individuals, private foundations, and corporations. Visit http://www.CureMelanoma.org for more information.
About Antidote
Antidote is a digital health company on a mission to accelerate the breakthroughs of new treatments by bridging the gap between medical research and the people who need it. In a world where 80% of clinical trials are delayed or closed due to lack of participants, Antidote use cutting-edge technology to match the right patients with the right trials, helping medical researchers make faster progress, and offering new treatment options to patients. Antidote Match, the company’s unique trial matching tool, currently powers clinical trial search for more than 210 patient communities and health portals — bringing clinical trial awareness, matching, and access to more than 15 million patients a month. Antidote was launched as TrialReach and is based in the US and UK. For more information, please visit www.antidote.me.
Media Contact
Cody Barnett, Director of Communications, MRA
cbarnett@curemelanoma.org
(717) 880-7100
Sarah Kerruish
Chief Patient Officer, Antidote
sarah@antidote.me
+44 07546364484
Lisa Conroy
Director of Communications, Antidote
lisa@antidote.me
(215) 872-2917