And then came COVID-19. Twenty-three percent fewer clinical trials were launched from March through May 2020 because of the pandemic, and many clinical researchers switched to focusing on COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.
COVID-19 forced research organisations to adapt. With many patients unable to travel, clinical trial sites initiated more remote, flexible, and hybrid trials than ever before. This shift led to increases in participant diversity, especially in vaccine trials. But research organisations need to continue building trust and improving access if they want to develop treatments that are applicable to all of the people who need them.
