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Brisbane-based health care tech company Clinials is at the forefront of AI in clinical trials, partnering with researchers through its AI platform to help them save both time and money.

What are the benefits of AI?

Brisbane businesswoman and Clinials founder, Maree Beare, says there is no doubt that AI has the potential to revolutionise clinical research in Queensland.

‘I started Clinials with the intention of using everyday language to encourage people from all walks of life, including more women and people from diverse backgrounds, to take part in clinical trials,’ she explained.

‘We develop tools using what we call AI Large Language Model which enables us to work with our research partners to convert complex medical protocols and jargon into easy-to-understand and relatable content for everyone.

‘Using everyday language improves accessibility, diversity, comprehension and trust between the researcher and all stakeholders.’

‘Academic institutions, research centres, and healthcare organisations across the state are actively engaged in cutting-edge research projects and many are at the forefront of AI adoption in clinical research.

‘AI improves efficiency, enhances data analysis capabilities, enables predictive modelling, and supports personalised medicine approaches.’

Are diversity and inclusivity important in clinical trials?

Yes, says Maree.

‘Over 80% of clinical trials will fail due to recruitment challenges,’ she confirmed.

‘Diversity and inclusivity are not just important but essential for success. The AI platform is designed to attract more diversity and inclusivity to help researchers create better diagnostic tests for long-term patient care for all Queenslanders.’

Maree said that from its early days the company’s business model was focussed on achieving equity and social responsibility.

‘We owe it to the under-represented people in our society to create cures and medical devices that help everyone, not just the lucky few with the education and resources to understand complex scientific language,’ she added.

‘In Australia, 44 percent of adults read at literacy level 1 to 2 (a low level), so to expect them to understand and react positively to industry-specific language is totally unrealistic.’

How does Clinials attract diversity?

Maree says Clinials has implemented a number of strategies to help attract greater diversity and inclusivity to clinical trials.

‘With 28.9 percent of Queenslanders born overseas (according to the 2016 Census) it is important that the trials have a diverse pool of participants to accurately reflect the genetic make-up of the population,’ she said.

‘We offer targeted recruitment, cultural sensitivity training, a number of supported languages and community engagement to reach under-represented groups.’

Maree said the company was very proud of its efforts to reverse traditionally low participation rates by women.

‘Currently, women make up only 41 percent of trial participants, despite comprising half of the population,’ she said.

‘This gender imbalance can lead to inaccurate assumptions about appropriate dosage and other factors which can put women at risk, especially as they age.

‘Our approach involves actively recruiting a representative population of women and, as a result, we have achieved participation rates as high as 69 percent in specific studies, spanning a range in ages from 18 to 66 and beyond.’

Currently, Clinials is supporting several research projects in Queensland and across the globe to accelerate innovation.

State government support for biomedical enterprises

The department’s Queensland Biomedical 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan and the Queensland new-industry development strategy both set out how the government will help to grow and support the sector, including innovative biomedical enterprises like Clinials.

The Queensland Government will continue to provide support for the state’s biomedical sector, its research institutions and talented researchers whose innovative delivery solutions all have the potential to change the world for the better.

You can learn more about the Queensland Government’s support for our biomedical industry

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