Clinical Trials Go Global: Aussie Patients and the Property Angle

Tech Collaboration Aims to Revolutionise Cross-Border Clinical Trial Recruitment

Amsterdam, April 15, 2025 – Global health technology company myTomorrows has joined forces with Scout Clinical, a biopharmaceutical services and tech provider, to improve patient recruitment across international borders for clinical trials. The partnership aims to ease the logistical and financial burdens typically faced by patients, families and caregivers when seeking access to potentially life-changing, pre-approval treatments. This development has potential implications for the Australian property market, particularly in locations near major research hubs.

The initiative seeks to address the multifaceted challenges of cross-border clinical research, including fragmented information systems, differing regulatory landscapes, and visa complexities, as well as cultural and linguistic barriers, which can significantly impact communication and create delays. These hurdles often lead to prolonged recruitment timelines, increased costs and limited patient diversity, ultimately hindering the development and accessibility of novel therapies, particularly for rare diseases or studies with stringent eligibility requirements.

Streamlining the Patient Journey and Reducing Logistical Hurdles

The myTomorrows-Scout Clinical partnership aims to optimise the patient journey by connecting trial matching with personalised domestic and cross-border support services. myTomorrows’ Patient Navigator team assists patients with identifying potential trial options and conducting initial pre-screening. Meanwhile, Scout Clinical offers a range of services, including:

• Travel and accommodation arrangements
• Expense reimbursements via pre-funded debit cards
• Short-term and long-term housing support for relocated patients and families
• Visa and entry/exit assistance

These comprehensive support services are designed to alleviate the stresses associated with participating in international clinical trials.

Industry Commentary on the Partnership

“Our partnership with myTomorrows is a win-win for everybody involved,” said Scout CEO Moisha Platto. “By addressing key barriers early, sites can efficiently manage international patient intake and expand their reach. Patients will benefit from a clearer understanding of the process and access to a wider range of potential treatment options. This approach simplifies enrolment and enhances the overall experience for patients and their families, improving retention rates and ensuring comprehensive support every step of the way.”

Michel van Harten, MD, CEO of myTomorrows, stated, “By removing barriers and overcoming the geographic silos of traditional trials, we provide every patient, regardless of location or personal circumstances, with a real opportunity to participate… By partnering with Scout Clinical, we aim to make clinical research more viable and accessible, by connecting to trial sites beyond their immediate proximity, whether across borders or within large domestic regions. Our inventive approach directly addresses the industry’s critical need to expand patient access whilst easing logistical burdens for patients and their families. By breaking down these barriers we materially improve the patient journey and accelerate clinical research.”

Potential Implications for the Australian Property Market

While the immediate focus is on improving patient access to clinical trials, it’s worth considering the potential downstream effects on the Australian property market. An increase in international patients participating in Australian clinical trials could lead to:

• Increased demand for short-term and long-term rental accommodation near major hospitals and research institutions. This is particularly relevant in cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide, where many leading clinical trials are conducted.
• Potential for increased investment in specialised accommodation designed to meet the needs of patients and their families, such as serviced apartments or extended-stay hotels with accessible features.
• Possible uplift in property values in areas around research hubs due to increased demand.

However, it is important to note that the scale of any potential impact will depend on the overall volume of international patients participating in Australian clinical trials and the duration of their stay. Furthermore, current trends in telehealth and remote monitoring may mitigate the need for prolonged physical relocation. It is important to monitor future developments to accurately assess the effect on the property market.

Data Protection and Ethical Considerations

The partnership highlights the importance of adhering to international data protection regulations. As patient data crosses borders, stringent measures must be in place to ensure privacy and security. The original article states that the partnership delivers “faster, more effective recruitment while upholding international data protection regulations”. Independent verification of these claims through official reports and compliance documentation is advised for stakeholder confidence.

Looking Ahead

The collaboration between myTomorrows and Scout Clinical represents a promising step towards enhancing global clinical research and improving access to potentially life-changing treatments. The partnership’s success hinges on its ability to effectively navigate complex logistical and regulatory challenges, and to ensure that patient needs are prioritised throughout the process. For the Australian property sector, the developments warrant careful monitoring, particularly in areas surrounding research hubs.

Source: Industry research and analysis.

This article is based on a report from au.finance.yahoo.com titled “myTomorrows and Scout Clinical Partner to Provide Cross-Border Patient Recruitment for Clinical Trials”. You can find the original article here: https://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/mytomorrows-scout-clinical-partner-cross-080000951.html