SEPTEMBER 20258 CHEMICAL INDUSTRY REVIEWIN MY OPINIONBRIDGING THE DIVERSITY DIVIDEBy Victoria Sanjurjo, Medical Director, Clinical Development, Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.In the dynamic realm of clinical development, where cutting-edge drugs and therapies emerge, there is a glaring issue: the significant underrepresentation of diversity among clinical trial participants. It's akin to hosting a grand fiesta with only a fraction of the invitees in attendance. However, let's transform this landscape! Let's work together to foster a more inclusive and vibrant environment than ever before.The Usual Suspects: Why Diversity MattersPicture a clinical trial. If you're imagining a room full of Caucasian males, you're not far off the mark. This homogeneity is more than just dull; it's problematic. It's like testing a one-size-fits-all suit on a single body type and hoping it fits the rest of the world. We need to know how treatments work across all demographics, not just a select few. A Fresh Perspective: Let's Shake Things UpAs a member of the clinical development team and a proud first-gen Latina, I've made it my mission to add color and variety to this picture. Even though I have not been able to achieve this for all studies this year, I am hoping to continue to make advances to a more diverse patient population for our clinical studies. Here are some things we can all work on. · Championing Diversity: We can all advocate for diversity and inclusion throughout every phase of clinical trial planning and execution. This encompasses everything from collaborating with colleagues on designing inclusive trial protocols that encourage participation from underrepresented groups to ensure that the entire team aligns with the overarching goal of health equity. It's about integrating diversity into the very fabric of our projects, making it a fundamental aspect of our approach rather than an afterthought.· Culturally Competent Clinical Teams: From data management and clinical operations to the regulatory team... clinical trial teams should not be just scientifically sharp; they should be culturally tuned in about being as fluent in cultural nuances as they are in scientific data.
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