34: Bringing Clinical Trials to the Patient, with Jodi Akin, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Hawthorne Effect, Inc.
Meet Jodi Akin:
Jodi Akin is the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Hawthorne Effect, a software service that streamlines and decentralizes clinical trials. She is an Angle Investor and Advisor for Astia, Board member for 510 Kardiac Devices, Inc., and the Chief Scientific Advisor for PiCardia, Inc. Previously, she was the Vice President of Global Clinical Affairs at Edwards Lifesciences LLC. Jodi received a Bachelor’s in Diplomacy, Economics and International Affairs from Georgetown University, and a Master of Science in Nursing from Pace University.
Key Insights:
The Hawthorne Effect is changing the ecosystem of clinical trials.
- Defining Entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship is an attitude, not a stage of a company, according to Jodi. She didn’t set out to simply found a company, rather she felt a gravitational pull, a compulsion, to fix an aspect of healthcare. (10:39)
- Improved Patient Adherence. Hawthorne Effect brings clinical trials to the patient’s own home, rather than requiring the patient to go to a physical research institution. This removes transportation challenges for the patient, which increases adherence. Jodi cites that 97-98% of their patients adhere to clinical trials. (15:48)
- Hawthorne Heroes. Decentralized clinical trials are made possible by a gig network of medical professionals. This allows for geographically diverse trials, and these Heroes have additional opportunities for certification and training for different types of trials, with roles that range from patient visits to trial investigators. (18:03)
This episode is hosted by Gary Bisbee, Ph.D. He is the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Think Medium.
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