The news: Software as a service platform provider Medable is incorporating Withings’ remote patient monitoring (RPM) devices on its remote clinical trial platform.

• Withings devices will allow study participants to remotely send measurements on blood pressure, temperature, heart rate, sleep, and weight using the Medable software platform.

How we got here: Last year Medable scored $304 million in Series D funding to help it build out the company’s RPM infrastructure and expand globally.

• Medable has teamed up with pharmacies such as CVS to extend access to clinical trials.
• CVS and Medable extended their partnership in February to allow MinuteClinic locations to use Medable’s clinical trial software.
• With the funding as well as partnerships with pharmacies like CVS and access to Withings medical sensors, Medable continues to make clinical trials more accessible.

Easing clinical trial participation: Distance and a lack of interoperability among platforms make clinical trial participation more difficult.

RPM devices in remote clinical trials expand participation to diverse populations. In addition, by incorporating Withings devices, Medable can make data streams less siloed and simplify data collection by clinical trial sponsors.

RPM devices also became an important component of remote clinical trials during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Patient access to clinical trial sites dropped 83% in the US during COVID-19 from April 2019 to April 2020, according to Medidata.
• Patients are more comfortable using devices like scales and smart watches rather than more complex clinical equipment.
• In addition, remote monitoring devices such as those from Withings can pull in patients from longer distances.

What we’re watching: Expect to see hybrid trials that incorporate a mix of in-person and remote activities become more popular.

• Plus, look for more integrations with big pharma companies like CVS and its insurance business, Aetna.
• Walgreens also launched a clinical trial business this year and aims to increase access to trials for diverse communities.
• We’ll keep an eye out to see how pharma companies such as Walgreens will implement RPM devices and clinical trial software such as Medable.