Acclinate Genetics wants to ensure clinical research is truly as diverse as the world we live in 

Huntsville, Ala. – Did you know? A person’s genetic ethnicity impacts their propensity for certain diseases. For example, hypertension, and kidney disease are more common among African Americans. The effectiveness and potential side effects of medicines can also vary depending on someone’s genetic ethnicity. However, there is significant underrepresentation of ethnically diverse people in genomic research and clinical trials, leading to greater health disparity and inequality.

Acclinate Genetics is working to change that.

"As our country becomes more diverse, the time is now to address the underrepresentation of minorities and people of color in genomic research and clinical trials,” said Acclinate founder and president, Delmonize “Del” Smith, PhD.

Located on the campus of the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Acclinate was founded with a mission of helping clinical research organizations achieve the most representative research sample by expanding their genomic research and clinical trials to include diverse ethnic groups.

Disparities have dire implications for precision medicine as we approach 2060 when non-Caucasians outnumber Caucasians in the U.S. Racial and ethnic minorities make up 40% of U.S. population but are only 2%-16% of clinical studies. As a result, actionable insights for people of color and minority populations are not readily available. This has a direct impact on ethical, scientific, and financial measures of success. 

“When it comes to genomic research and clinical trials, we represent the underrepresented,” said Smith. “Our mission is to achieve health equity and personalized healthcare for all.”

Smith is a serial entrepreneur with extensive management and leadership experience in healthcare, IT, education and government. In addition to being founder and CEO of Acclinate, Smith serves as dean of the business school at Alabama A&M University. His involvement in Huntsville’s business community connected him to HudsonAlpha and the opportunities for startups on the biotech campus.

“HudsonAlpha provides opportunities for not only research and education institutions, but also entrepreneurs,” said Smith. “It’s great to know that there’s a place in our own backyard setup to attract companies and help them grow.”

Acclinate understands the barriers that lie ahead on its journey to diversifying genomic research and clinical trials – such as overcoming the historical context resulting from events such as the Tuskegee syphilis experiment – and is taking steps toward increasing patient awareness about the value of participating in such programs.

In doing so, the company established the Enhanced Diversity & Inclusion in Clinical Trials, or e-DICT Program, which combines a unique participant management system to identify barriers to diverse subgroup participation, specifically racial and ethnic minorities, in U.S.-based clinical trials and employ strategies to achieve greater participation and retention.

To learn more about how Acclinate’s services can benefit your company, visit acclinategenetics.com.

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About Acclinate Genetics: Acclinate Genetics was founded with a mission of helping clinical research organizations achieve the most representative research sample by expanding their genomic studies and clinical trials to include diverse ethnic groups. We believe diversifying genomic research and clinical trials to include more people of color increases knowledge about health issues and makes a difference in personalized healthcare for all.