On January 16, 2025, the groundbreaking READI project—Research in Europe and Diversity Inclusion—officially launched. Funded by the Horizon Europe Innovative Health Initiative (IHI), this six-year public-private partnership aims to create a more inclusive and equitable ecosystem for clinical studies (CS) by addressing the underrepresentation of underserved populations.

Coordinated by Servicio Madrileño de Salud (SERMAS) through Hospital Universitario La Paz, with Novartis as the Project Lead and The Synergist as the Digital & Sustainability Coordinator, the project brings together 73 organisations from 18 countries. With a total budget of €66.8 million—€31.5 million funded by IHI and €34.2 million committed by industry partners—READI is poised to make a significant impact.

The project’s mission is to enhance the inclusion of underserved populations in clinical research by fostering a cohesive clinical study ecosystem that places patients at its core. Key objectives include mapping population characteristics using Real-World Data (RWD), developing standardised inclusion criteria, and addressing barriers such as mistrust, lack of awareness, and geographic limitations. The project will also inform regulatory and Health Technology Assessment (HTA) policies to improve representation in clinical research.

A cornerstone of READI is creating an innovative, patient-centred digital platform to enhance access to clinical study information and tools while fostering community connections. The approaches will be tested in real-world clinical and non-clinical use cases to ensure their effectiveness.

Ultimately, READI aims to promote European health equity by transforming clinical research into a more inclusive, representative, and innovative field.

For more updates on the READI project, stay tuned!

Author:

Nikola Mihinjač