ERT, Inofab join forces on decentralized respiratory trials

30-Jun-2020 - Last updated on 30-Jun-2020 at 13:38 GMT

(Milena Shehovtsova/iStock via Getty Images Plus)

The two companies will work together to promote technology for at-home clinical research conducted in trials focused on developing respiratory therapies.

Clinical endpoints data specialists ERT is joining forces with Inofab Health, a heathcare technology company focused on designing and developing ultrasonic spirometry technology. The partnership is intended to expand ERT’s portfolio of technology solutions for decentralized trials, providing sponsors and contract research organizations (CROs) a range of options for continuing their research during the pandemic, and beyond.

In the face of COVID-19, sponsors are on the hunt for reliable collection methods that make it possible to keep clinical trials going without compromising the safety of clinical trial patients or calling upon them to travel to investigative site appointments. Virtual and decentralized trial solutions like those facilitated by ERT enable at-home capture of high-quality data, right in the patients’ homes.

According to Achim Schülke, executive vice president of respiratory solutions at ERT, Inofab’s technology is a good complement to ERT’s offerings.

“We chose to partner with Inofab based on their proven capabilities in meeting respiratory patients’ healthcare needs and their award-winning ultrasonic spirometer, Spirohome,” Schülke said. “This partnership enables ERT to further drive innovation in trial virtualization and supports our commitment to offering the best range of trial continuity options, specifically for sponsors developing new respiratory disease treatments.”

Patients diagnosed with lung disease face a higher risk of developing serious complications from COVID-19, meaning many are apt to steer clear or clinics, investigative sites and other places requiring travel away from home. The goal of the ERT and Inofab collaboration is to come up with patient-friendly, easy-to-use solutions enabling at-home, patient-administered testing, promoting patient comfort and safety while simultaneously ensuring high-quality data collection to keep respiratory trials on track.

Inofab chief technology officer and co-founder Kerem Yasar said partnering with ERT made sense for the company due to its connection with sponsors.

“Spirohome plays a critical role for endpoint data collection and we’re excited to work with ERT in delivering virtual trial solutions that help clinical trial sponsors continue developing new treatments for the millions of patients living with respiratory disease” Yasar said.