Press Release: "American Liver Foundation and Antidote Launch Clinical Trial Matching Tool to Accelerate Liver Disease Research"

New York, NY (March 13, 2018) – The American Liver Foundation (ALF), the nation’s largest patient advocacy organization for people with liver disease, announced today the launch of an online search tool to match liver disease patients with clinical trials that are appropriate for them. Powered by Antidote, a digital health company that connects patients with research, the tool allows visitors to search clinical trials through a widget on the ALF website. By connecting patients directly to research, ALF hopes to turn the tide of liver disease and expand the body of knowledge that contributes to better treatments and cures.

“In the last few years, we have continued to see a rise in the number of people affected by liver diseases, and the pharmaceutical industry has responded to this need with an influx of clinical trials,” said Thomas F. Nealon III, Chief Executive Officer of the American Liver Foundation. “We are proud to partner with Antidote to help patients find and take part in research so that they can participate in driving the prevention, treatment, and cure of liver disease.”

The search engine, Antidote Match™, explores a patient's eligibility for every openly recruiting trial on ClinicalTrials.gov through the use of structured eligibility criteria and proprietary algorithms. Patients answer a series of short questions about their condition to obtain a list of study matches within their preferred area. They may opt to receive more information about study matches and are encouraged to work with their doctor to apply to a study site.

“Antidote serves all patient communities and organizations that believe that research volunteers can make a difference in finding new treatments, and ultimately cures,” said Grace McElroy, Head of Partnerships at Antidote. “We are pleased to announce this new collaboration and support for those affected by liver disease with potentially breakthrough research opportunities.”

Liver disease affects 30 million people in the United States, or one in 10 Americans, and this number is rising because of increasing rates of diabetes and obesity, among other factors.[1] Common liver diseases, some of which may result in liver transplantation, include forms of chronic hepatitis, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), liver cancer, genetic conditions such as Wilson’s disease, and diseases of the bile ducts, such as primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), and biliary atresia.[2]

To learn more and search for a trial, please visit: https://www.liverfoundation.org/for-patients/resources/clinical-trials/.

About the American Liver Foundation 
Founded in 1976, the American Liver Foundation (ALF) is the nation’s largest patient advocacy organization for people with liver disease. ALF reaches more than 2 million individuals each year with health information, education and support services via its national office, 16 U.S. divisions and an active online presence. Recognized as a trusted voice for liver disease patients, ALF also operates a national toll-free helpline (800-GO-LIVER), educates patients, policymakers and the public, and provides grants to early-career researchers to help find a cure for all liver diseases. ALF is celebrating more than 40 years of turning patients into survivors. For more information about ALF, please visit http://www.liverfoundation.org.

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 percent of medical trials are delayed or closed due to lack of participants,[3] Antidote uses 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 250 patient communities and health tools—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 http://www.antidote.me.

Media Contact

Andrea Fetchko 
Media Relations, on behalf of ALF 
afetchko@jpa.com 
202-591-4015

Lisa Conroy 
Director of Communications, Antidote 
lisa@antidote.me 
(215) 872-2917

[1] American Liver Foundation (2017). Frequently Asked Questions. Retrieved from https://www.liverfoundation.org/for-patients/about-the-liver/the-progression-of-liver-disease/frequently-asked-questions/#1504366267416-f5db8a99-419f. 
[2] American Liver Foundation (2017). Liver Transplant. Retrieved from https://www.liverfoundation.org/for-patients/about-the-liver/the-progression-of-liver-disease/liver-transplant/#1503515052660-6acc17ba-93e6. 
[3] Hess, J. Web Based Recruitment. Retrieved from https://www.cuttingedgeinfo.com/portfolios/web-based-patient-recruitment-white-paper/.

# # #