ICON plc has entered an agreement with Intel Corp. to enable ICON to offer the Intel Pharma Analytics Platform for use in clinical trials. The Intel platform is an edge-to-cloud artificial intelligence (AI) solution that enables remote monitoring and continuous capture of clinical data from study subjects using sensors and wearable devices and can apply machine learning techniques to objectively measure symptoms and quantify the impact of therapies.

Jointly configured by ICON and building on Intel’s AI and analytics, the Intel Pharma Analytics Platform aims to allow pharmaceutical companies to increase speed, simplify clinical trials, and gather more objective evidence by transitioning to automatic collection of consistent, unbiased data, remote monitoring for data analysis, and delivering improved patient experience. These changes aim to help produce high-quality data and increase patient retention.

“Our engagement with Intel  confirms ICON’s position as the leading CRO for advancing the use of wearable technology, and will expand ICON’s existing offering to include a service where data can be aggregated and analyzed from mhealth and wearable technologies, with advanced analytics allowing for development of novel endpoints and digital biomarkers,” commented Steve Cutler, chief executive officer at ICON. “Furthermore, the platform supports patient centric trial designs by reducing or eliminating the need for patients to travel to sites and can be integrated with our Direct to Patient Call Centre (DPC) providing a seamless compliance monitoring service.”

“Intel is accelerating the pace of digital transformation, and IT plays a leading role in delivering solutions on that journey,” said Paula Tolliver, corporate vice president and chief information officer, Intel Corp.  “With the power of AI, the Intel Pharma Analytics Platform helps the clinical trial industry reduce costs and deliver fresh insights for drug development, potentially saving thousands of lives.”