Today's Topline - 6/22/20
Monday, June 22, 2020
Source: MedTech Association
Good Monday morning:
A recent review of 241 COVID-19 studies in the United States found that about one-quarter of interventional trials could exclude or underrepresent older adults. Given the increased severity and mortality rates of seniors infected with the coronavirus, exclusion of older patients from studies could result in findings that are inconclusive about how treatments will benefit older people, what risks they might pose, and whether doses that works for younger people are the best ones for an older population. While the underrepresentation of older patients in clinical trials is not a new phenomenon, nor an easy problem to solve, this disparity requires vigilance and an enhanced commitment to ensuring that participants in clinical trials are representative of the universe of patients.
No pillar of the bio/med community has been more affected by the coronavirus pandemic than New York’s academic research enterprise. Many labs have been temporarily shuttered and studies postponed. Researchers and students have left our campuses and many universities have yet to announce fall reopening plans.
At 2:00 pm this Thursday, we’ll be joined by Dr. Venu Govindaruju, Vice President for Research and Economic Development at the University at Buffalo. He’ll discuss the impact the coronavirus has had on his institution and research institutions across New York State and we’ll explore efforts to restart the state’s academic research enterprise. This lively and informative conversation is free and will include a Q&A for your questions and comments. Please join us. Register here.
We rely on our members to make our work possible. We hope you’ll take a moment to join or renew your membership today. Renewing members can lock in last year’s rate through 2021. New members who join today will receive 2 free months on their membership year. Don’t wait – we need your support to continue the work we do.
As always, don’t hesitate to contact us with your specific questions and concerns. Regular updates can be found at our website, which is refreshed daily.