Walgreens has received $25 million in federal funding to conduct a decentralized clinical trial on COVID-19 vaccine immunity.
About 20 Walgreens stores in geographically diverse regions across the U.S. will serve as clinical trial sites. This approach aims to increase access to clinical trials and create a more diverse pool of research participants.
The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority is providing the funding as part of Project NextGen. The $5 billion initiative led by HHS' Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response aims to develop public-private partnerships to create more effective, longer-lasting COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.
The agreement is BARDA's first partnership with a major retail pharmacy to use a decentralized clinical trial approach.
Learn more here.