US-based clinical research and drug development company N-Power Medicine has teamed up with Merck, known as MSD outside the US and Canada, to help more oncologists, and patients to participate in clinical research.
N-Power offers a real-time point-of-care platform that combines AI technology and research staff to deliver an integrated and efficient workflow for clinical research and routine patient care.
Oncology practices in its Clinical Research Network represent a new kind of clinical research site, with more physician participation to enhance access to clinical trials for eligible patients.
The collaboration aims to implement multiple clinical trials in the N-Power Medicine Network.
It will widen the new clinical development model to other indications within oncology and to more cancer centres as the clinical trial network grows.
N-Power co-founder and CEO Mark Lee said: “We are proud to collaborate with Merck, a company that is leading innovation in the clinical development process and the acceleration of transformative medicines to people living with cancer.
“This agreement underscores our commitment to partner with oncology clinics to bring the resources and reinvented framework that are needed to meaningfully expand access to more inclusive clinical research.”
Earlier this month, N-Power Medicine announced the initial close of a Series B funding round, raising a total funding of $72m.
The Series B round was led by Merck Global Health Innovation Fund, with participation by a top US-based healthcare-focused investor.
N-Power will use the funds to support the expansion of its oncology clinic network and collaborations using its platform for integrating clinical research into patient care.
Merck senior vice president, oncology clinical development head Marjorie Green said: “We look forward to collaborating with N-Power Medicine to leverage their new approach to expanding clinical research to more people with cancer.
“This provides the opportunity to foster critically needed innovation in the cancer care ecosystem with the potential to benefit patients in urgent need of new therapies.”
