AstraZeneca announced that it has entered into a five-year partnership agreement with patient network PatientsLikeMe for access to patient-reported data in several treatment areas, including respiratory.
PatientsLikeMe offers a program called “data for good,” whose slogan is “donate your data for you, for others, for good.” On its website, the company informs patients that, “We take the information patients like you share about your experience with the disease and sell it to our partners (i.e., companies that are developing or selling products to patients). These products may include drugs, devices, equipment, insurance, and medical services. Except for the restricted personal information you entered when registering for the site, you should expect that every piece of information you submit (even if it is not currently displayed) may be shared with our partners and any member of PatientsLikeMe, including other patients.”
Respiratory conditions included in the PatientsLikeMe network include asthma, COPD, pulmonary hypertension, emphysema, pulmonary fibrosis, and cystic fibrosis. As of April 14, 2015, the network includes almost 5,000 patients who report having asthma, almost 1,200 reporting cystic fibrosis, and over 1,600 reporting COPD.
AstraZeneca Executive VP Global Medicines Development Briggs Morrison commented, “Understanding what patients are experiencing every day and how they define the value of their treatments are fundamental to our ability to push the boundaries of science in developing the next-generation of medicines. Our partnership with PatientsLikeMe will help us to harness the important perspectives of patients through their advanced technology and real-world, real-time evidence to support our research and development programs.”
Read the AstraZeneca press release.
