Parexel, one of the world’s largest clinical research organizations (CROs) providing the full range of Phase I to IV clinical development services, today announced a formal agreement with MyEyeDr., a leading vision healthcare organization, to refer its patients into existing and future ophthalmology clinical trials. Parexel and MyEyeDr. are currently collaborating on recruitment for a diabetic retinopathy clinical trial with future plans to expand into additional therapeutic areas such as endocrinology.
“Meeting patients where they already are — such as centers providing annual routine eye exams and other vision care — is vital to the development of new therapies,” said Clare Grace, PhD, Chief Patient Officer for Parexel. “By fostering relationships with the broader healthcare community, we’re able to raise awareness and ensure more patients are exposed to clinical research as a care option, in turn increasing our reach for clinical trial recruitment and, ultimately, speeding the availability of life-changing treatments.”
Through the collaboration, Parexel and MyEyeDr. will partner on recruitment of patients for a wide variety of ophthalmology indications, including Macular Degeneration, one of the leading causes of visual disability worldwide. By leveraging MyEyeDr.’s 850+ offices across 28 states, the companies will be able to disseminate information directly to the types of patients needed for ophthalmology studies with opportunities for expansion into other adjacent therapeutic areas. MyEyeDr. is owned by Capital Vision Services, LP, which manages independently-owned optometry practices operating under the trade name MyEyeDr.
Under the agreement, MyEyeDr. will be part of Parexel’s Community Alliance Network, a novel program launched in June further integrating clinical research into the community healthcare setting to better serve patients and in turn create further opportunity for increased diversity in clinical trials. MyEyeDr joins CVS Health®, the leading health care solutions company, and Javara, the leading Integrated Research Organization, as members of the network.
“Part of providing our patients with the best vision and healthcare means making them aware of all possible treatment options, including clinical research,” said Artis Beatty, O.D., Chief Medical Officer, MyEyeDr. “We’re excited to partner with Parexel — MyEyeDr.’s first collaboration with a CRO — to share the option of clinical trial participation with our community of patients.”
Read the full press release from Parexel.