VirTrial partners with BetterLife Pharma to enhance COVID-19 clinical trials through remote patient monitoring

In a significant move to advance clinical research amidst ongoing global health challenges, VirTrial, a leading U.S.-based bioscience technology company, has been chosen by Canadian biotech firm BetterLife Pharma to provide the telehealth platform for its COVID-19 clinical trials. This strategic partnership marks a critical step in the evolution of remote healthcare services, particularly in the context of monitoring patients and sites for trials evaluating novel treatments. BetterLife Pharma has selected VirTrial’s platform to manage remote patient monitoring for its upcoming clinical study in Australia, aimed at assessing the efficacy of the company’s interferon alpha 2b formulation, AP-003.

What drives BetterLife Pharma’s selection of VirTrial?

BetterLife Pharma’s decision to partner with VirTrial stems from the platform’s ability to meet three crucial criteria essential for the execution of COVID-19 clinical trials. First, the platform must be adaptable to various clinical sites, ensuring flexibility in trial management. Second, it prioritizes patient and site staff safety by minimizing the risks associated with physical contact, a particularly significant concern in the ongoing pandemic. Finally, the platform enables seamless consultation for patient qualification and consent, ensuring that these processes can be completed virtually, thus eliminating the need for in-person meetings.

VirTrial’s telehealth platform was designed with these priorities in mind, offering a robust solution for clinical trials in a landscape increasingly dominated by the need for social distancing and remote interactions. By leveraging the capabilities of the platform, BetterLife Pharma aims to streamline the trial process and ensure that COVID-19 patients can continue their participation without the burden of travel or risk exposure.

Key features of VirTrial’s telehealth platform

One of the standout features of the VirTrial platform that will be integral to the success of the upcoming COVID-19 study is its virtual visit functionality. This feature enables secure, HIPAA-compliant video calls, audio, messaging, and chat interactions between patients and clinical research teams. Importantly, this can be accessed through any device, making it both flexible and accessible. Virtual visits allow for continuous patient monitoring, evaluations, and consultations without requiring patients to be physically present at clinical sites. This not only enhances patient convenience but also ensures that trial sites can function smoothly, even with fluctuating restrictions on movement due to the pandemic.

Additionally, the VirTrial platform facilitates the virtual qualification and consent process, empowering researchers to assess participants remotely. This crucial aspect of patient recruitment and engagement reduces the logistical challenges typically associated with recruiting trial participants, especially when travel restrictions and isolation requirements complicate the process.

CEO insights into the partnership

Dr. Ahmad Doroudian, CEO of BetterLife Pharma, emphasized the importance of the partnership with VirTrial, stating that the unpredictable nature of travel restrictions due to COVID-19 made the adoption of a remote monitoring platform not just a preference, but a necessity. According to Dr. Doroudian, the decision to implement VirTrial’s technology was made with the goal of proceeding with the trial without further delays. He added that the collaboration with VirTrial would allow BetterLife Pharma to monitor patients, even those unable to travel to clinical sites due to quarantine or self-isolation, ensuring that the clinical trial could progress efficiently under the challenging circumstances.

Mark Hanley, CEO of VirTrial, expressed confidence in the partnership, noting that clinical trial sites were eager to participate in a solution that addressed the immediate needs of the healthcare sector. Hanley highlighted the advantage of conducting decentralized clinical trials (DCT) remotely, which eliminates potential risks for clinical trial staff and participants.

The future of remote patient monitoring in clinical trials

The partnership between VirTrial and BetterLife Pharma underscores a broader shift towards remote patient monitoring and decentralized clinical trials (DCTs). As clinical trials increasingly embrace virtual technologies, the ability to remotely manage patient interactions, monitor progress, and conduct studies without the need for physical presence offers clear advantages. Not only does this model minimize risks related to COVID-19, but it also opens the door for a more inclusive, efficient approach to clinical research. Trials can now engage a wider pool of participants, regardless of geographical limitations or travel restrictions.

Moreover, the integration of telehealth technologies into clinical trials signals a major evolution in how medical research is conducted. These innovations are set to become more mainstream in the coming years, as technology continues to enhance access to clinical trials, while ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory standards.

A model for future clinical research

The collaboration between VirTrial and BetterLife Pharma exemplifies how the adoption of telehealth solutions can reshape clinical trial processes in the era of COVID-19 and beyond. By prioritizing patient safety and convenience, this partnership not only advances BetterLife Pharma’s mission but also demonstrates the growing role of telehealth in modern medical research. As the demand for remote healthcare solutions continues to rise, it’s clear that this model could become a standard approach for clinical trials, offering a more resilient and scalable solution for future research initiatives.