Clinical trial recruitment is a challenging step toward FDA approval of new treatments for patients across all disease states; this is especially true for inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation launched a dedicated Clinical Trials Community for IBD. The Community is designed to educate patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers about the clinical trial process, its value, and how to address barriers that exist in enrollment.

"These recruitment difficulties cause delays in attaining the critical data needed to move the drug development process forward," said Michael Osso, president and CEO of the Foundation. "Our Clinical Trials Community will provide education and resources to help overcome these challenges and accelerate treatment options toward approval."

The Foundation conducted research including a literature review, landscape analysis and focus groups among the IBD patient population, which confirmed that barriers to clinical trial participation include insufficient awareness of available clinical trials and lack of understanding of the process.

"We know through our research that patients would be willing to participate in clinical trials if they were able to learn more about the purpose and importance of clinical trial research," Osso said. "With a dedicated, singular resource we are empowering patients to make decisions that are right for them, cultivating a culture of citizen scientists and creating opportunities for patients to support research that affects the whole IBD community."

The IBD Clinical Trials Community has been created to educate about and raise awareness of clinical trials among patients and caregivers, provide resources to identify and participate in relevant clinical trials, and support and improve patient and provider communication about engaging in clinical trials.

The Community will be implemented using a phased approach beginning with the launch of the new website, including an educational video series, patient stories, an IBD clinical trial finder, and research updates. Over the remainder of 2017, the Foundation will roll out a clinical trial ambassador program, clinical trial communications, and educational tools for Foundation programs and events across the country.

The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation's Clinical Trial Community is made possible by support from AbbVie, Celgene, Genentech and Takeda Pharmaceuticals.