The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research launched the beta version of Fox Trial Finder, a Web-based solution designed to connect volunteers with the Parkinson's clinical trials that urgently need them.

"Today, as many as 80% of clinical trials face recruitment challenges—significantly increasing costs and delaying progress toward breakthroughs," said Todd Sherer, Ph.D., CEO of The Michael J. Fox Foundation. "Fox Trial Finder harnesses state-of-the-art technology to meet these challenges head-on by making it easier for volunteers and research coordinators to find each other. By streamlining the flow of participants into trials, Fox Trial Finder will play a role in reducing the length and cost of Parkinson's clinical trials, helping bring new treatments to patients faster."

Fox Trial Finder compares volunteer information such as location and medical history with trial eligibility requirements to find the best potential matches at study sites nearby. The service matches both people with Parkinson's and control volunteers with trials.

Volunteers' privacy is protected by industry-standard security protocols. Only de-identified profiles are viewable on the site itself. Names and contact information remain private unless volunteers choose to share this information with a trial team.

Both interventional trials that test new therapeutic approaches and observational studies that help scientists learn more about the nature of Parkinson's are included in the database.