USA – Trial Library, Inc., a San Francisco, CA-based oncology clinical trials company, has come out of stealth mode raising $5 million in seed funding.
The round was led by Deena Shakir, Partner at Lux Capital, with participation from Julian Eison, Managing Partner at NEXT VENTŪRES, Unseen Capital, as well as other notable angel investors. The company intends to use the funds to expand the usage of the platform among community oncologists who are patients’ trusted sources for advice on clinical trials.Led by CEO and founder Dr. Hala Borno, a University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) oncologist and experienced health equity researcher, and co-founder and Chief Product Officer Steve Buck, former vice president and general manager at Ro Pharmacy, Trial Library is an oncology clinical trials company helping patients, providers, and pharmaceutical sponsors of clinical trials. “The lack of representation in clinical trials has had significant ramifications on the design and outcome of oncology treatments,” said Dr. Ivor Horn, an advisor toUnseen Capital. “Trial Library has an incredible potential to tackle the systemic barriers underrepresented individuals face in accessing clinicals trials.”How it WorksInitially, Trial Library targets the “first mile” problem by providing fair reimbursement to local, community oncology practices who today are offered little, if any, reimbursement for pre-screening and managing patient referrals to trials. The company reimburses community oncology practices for its time and effort of screening patients for nearby trials. Oncology practices can use the website to discover paid pre-screening opportunities and register to participate in a few keystrokes.Second, Trial Library solves the “last mile” problem by providing patients, many with limited economic means and resources, with navigation support to get to clinical trial sites regardless of distance. The company provides free “Ally” navigator services that are available 24/7 to direct patients to resources for travel, logistics, food, or other support needed. It also taps into many social determinants of health assessment tools to help personalize support.Trial Library has the support of partners including the Association of Community Cancer Centers, UCSF, as well as advisors such as Alan Ashworth, PhD, FRS, President of the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, and noted health equity researchers like Dr. Lori Pierce from the University of Michigan and Dr. Robert A. Winn from Virginia Commonwealth University.18/08/2022
