Commercial beta release of privacy-enhanced search technology
Private Access announced today the commercial beta release of its privacy-enabled technologies that put consumers at the center of clinical research in order to more easily and quickly connect them with relevant and beneficial clinical trials.
Formed on the core principle that each individual should have the right to decide for themselves when, why, and specifically with whom, they wish to share their personal information, Private Access’ first applications allow patients to grant researchers “private access” to their confidential information.
Historically, restrictive privacy regulations have been cited as major impediments to the conduct of medical research, prompting some to argue that broad policy changes that effectively loosen existing privacy protections are needed to improve care, speed the development of new and improved treatments for diseases and chronic illness, and reduce health care costs. However, Private Access was born out of a different approach. The company founder asked: “What if a much more powerful privacy technology could be used that would empower individual patients to grant private access to their medical information so that the most relevant medical researchers for their condition could find them?”
The commercial beta launch of this privacy technology has now commenced. A handful of selected researchers from around the U.S. who are actively recruiting patients for studies are now able to use Private Access’ technology to find beta-participant patients who have granted the researchers “private access” to their medical information. Initial feedback from patients and researchers has been positive.
Private Access also announced today that it has entered into a collaboration with Pfizer to continue development and implementation of Private Access’ novel applications surrounding patient privacy, focusing on increasing clinical trial awareness and participation.
Private Access’ technology will be available to an increasing number of beta users for the balance of 2009, with broad release of the technology for patients, researchers and others anticipated to begin during 2010.