SCOPE 2023: Transforming DE&I Trials

In this presentation at SCOPE 2023 in Orlando, FL, Gretchen Goller, Senior Director, Head of Patient Recruitment/Retention Solutions and Neha Londono, Director - Clinical Trial Diversity and Inclusion; both with Seagen, highlighted how the oncology biotech is taking a more personalized approach to DE&I in clinical trials.

Seagen uses the acronym INDEPTH (Increasing Diverse Participation in Clinical Trials and Healthcare) to represent its DE&I strategy. There are five pillars:

1. Clinical Trial DE&I
2. Inclusive trial design
3. Patient centric solutions
4. Site engagement
5. Collaborations: Trusted messengers and patient advocacy

The biotech uses the first two pillars to set goals, which includes gaining a better understanding of impacted patient populations and gathering information from all stakeholders before making a decision.

The final three pillars represent goal execution. Seagen aims to reduce patient burden, ease trial conduct, strategically choose sites, and reinforce its commitment to diversity. There is also a strong emphasis on partnering with patient communities to gain more perspectives.

Both Goller and Londono emphasized breaking traditional siloes is the key for a DE&I-first clinical trial planning process that relies on cross-functional problem-solving. Rather than following a checklist or template, they are focused on conducting trials with a more personalized approach that considers the implications of all stakeholders.