Kroger is joining hands with the biopharma industry to launch a colorectal cancer clinical trial.

Kroger Health, the healthcare division of The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), announced the creation of its clinical trial site network in partnership with pharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations, and health systems.

The company’s first trial, in collaboration with Persephone Biosciences, is currently recruiting participants for a study on colorectal cancer gut and immune health. Initial enrollment for the study will take place at select Kroger pharmacies and The Little Clinic LLC locations in Toledo, Ohio, with plans to expand locations and participants over the next year. (CISION PR NEWSWIRE)

According to the CDC, of cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal cancer is a leading cancer killer in the US.

Kroger’s colorectal clinical trial

The trial aims to develop personalized medicines and find cancer-specific indicators that may aid future treatment and preventive strategies. Kroger Health aims to increase accessibility to clinical trial opportunities by utilizing its network of healthcare professionals, digital tools, and relationships with other healthcare organizations to offer end-to-end clinical trial management.

The company hopes to engage a wider range of the population in clinical trials by utilizing its vast network of pharmacies and clinics, especially in socially vulnerable areas.

“With our team of more than 24,000 healthcare professionals, under the umbrella of America’s grocer, we are positioned at the nexus of food and healthcare, which provides us with the unique opportunity to increase accessibility to clinical trial opportunities,” said Colleen Lindholz, Kroger Health president.

Jim Kirby, PharmD, chief commercial officer of Kroger Health said: “This is the first of many clinical trial opportunities that will utilize us as an alternative to the traditional clinical trial and research organization model.”

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