IWD 2025: Spearheading technological innovation in complex industries

Just five years ago unprecedented challenges brought about by the global pandemic  changed the way we live, work and engage with others, forever. The pandemic presented  unprecedented challenges that much of the world was unprepared to tackle, particularly in  a medical sense.

If the pandemic has taught us anything, it's the ongoing need for medical research and ways  in which technological innovation can support advancements in medical research, diagnoses  and treatments for better health outcomes for everyone.

As we mark International Women's Day, it is important to note the role of women in  spearheading tech-driven solutions in complex industries that are highly regulated. It's also  imperative that our female leaders remain steadfast in their leadership to ignite change and  innovation.

The path to change in medical environments is never an easy one, particularly when new  technologies are combined into the mix.  

After years of research into the clinical trial process, I witnessed the recruitment challenges  faced by clinical trial sites and the need for healthcare professionals to have better access to  information about suitable trials for their patients. I realised quickly that this wasn't a  localised issue, it was a global problem. 

Face challenges head on

Research reveals that in Australia, 79% of people would consider being involved in a clinical  trial, and 69% would be open to hearing about clinical trials from their GP or Health Care  Practitioner,1 however, time constraints, workforce shortages and lack of knowledge about  the trials are the main barriers to GP referrals.2 In the past, patient recruitment for clinical trials has involved staff manually sorting through  records to determine patient suitability for a trial. However, I knew that by introducing  technology to automate that process, patient recruitment for clinical trials could be fast tracked as well as more accurate and efficient.

In 2019 I established Evrima Technologies, an Australian-based digital health company that  specialises in bringing trials to patients, GPs and connecting world-class researchers to the  wider community.

1 https://ctiq.com.au/wp-content/uploads/GREET-Consumer-Survey-Report_V7-FINAL-1.pdf

2 https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2019/210/4/recruiting-general-practice-patients-large-clinical-trials lessons-aspirin

Despite having years of experience in patient-centred clinical trial management, my first  year as a tech-business startup was often met with comments such as: 'You can't do that,  it's not possible.'

I learned to ignore the negativity and focus on moving forward, growing and learning  through partnerships and collaboration. Knowing that by using technological innovation to  close the gap between referrers (that is GPs, pharmacists and other health care  professionals) and trial sites, medical research and health outcomes could be improved.

Collaboration for change

I learned early on in my Evrima journey that collaboration is key to business success and I  believe that this is an area where women, in particular, can showcase exceptional skill and  business acumen.

With GPs an untapped source of patient recruitment for clinical trials, I knew that for  technological change to be accepted, it needed to be seamlessly integrated into existing and  established practice management workflows.

Research and ongoing feedback underpin product development. Most importantly,  collaboration with the end-user – GPs - ensures that products are co-designed to improve  processes for better, fast-tracked results.

Now, Evrima products can identify patients that meet trial criteria and suitable trials in the  areas with the click of a button, for GPs to then engage directly with patients in a manner  that suits the individual.

Through long-term collaboration and support from tech-enabled platforms, more patients  can now be identified for clinical trial participation and access potential treatments they  may not have previously had access to.

The end result? Higher and more diverse population representation in clinical trials to  investigate a range of health conditions and diseases, leading to medical advancement and  potentially life-saving treatments.

Where to from here?

Female innovators may face opposition from the gatekeepers within established and  traditional sectors, however it is our passion, informed decision-making and open  collaboration that will drive success and change in the future. How can we support female  leaders in the technology sector?

• Let our voices be heard: Advocate to share your experiences and expertise on  discussion panels, through thought leadership, and in industry discussions.
• Broaden networks and collaborate: Work with industry partners, governments, not for-profits and other organisations to raise awareness of research-based  opportunities for change and growth.
• Embrace technology: Artificial intelligence (AI) presents many opportunities for the  future of clinical trial recruitment and various other sectors. Embrace innovation and  learn.
• Learn from others: Walgreens by example, is a US-based pharmacy chain with a  dedicated clinical trial unit that works in partnership with academic institutions, not for-profit, and government partners to help boost participation in trials. Investigate  challenges, opportunities and successes of overseas counterparts to improve and  innovate for the future.