Decentralizing Science: Paving the Way for an Inclusive Bioeconomy
Written on
Chapter 1: Envisioning an Inclusive Bioeconomy
What radical changes could a vision for a more inclusive, decentralized bioeconomy bring to our future?
Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of interviewing Sara Kraft, the Director of Innovation and Business Strategy at AstraZeneca. In our discussion, we explored her efforts to accelerate success in the bioeconomy by infusing strong business strategies into the management of clinical trials. The entire conversation was enlightening, with Sara sharing invaluable insights on her contributions to the bioeconomy. One particular statement left a profound impact on me:
"Pharmaceutical companies should take clinical trial participants into their facilities to demonstrate how medicine development occurs. But do they do this broadly? Are we permitted to? If we can and don’t, should we? I believe that more people would trust pharmaceutical companies if they understood the oversight involved. After all, these are patient lives at stake, and everyone I've worked with has shown utmost care in their actions. Would educating people about the process make them feel more at ease, as it did for me? We must meet individuals where they are. More marketing and education about clinical trials are essential. Would we save more lives by informing people about the process? Would fear diminish if people were well-informed rather than left in the dark?" - Sara Kraft
In recent years, we have observed a significant conflict between the scientific community and the public, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. This crisis has amplified both the positive aspects of our scientific endeavors—like the rapid development of various therapeutics—and the challenges, such as the confusion stemming from our need to understand and combat an unfamiliar virus from scratch.
I wish I could convey the magnitude of sacrifice made by individuals who paused their daily routines to enhance operations in preparation for the vaccine. The objective was never profit; it was to assist in managing the pandemic. We all collaborated, moving mountains together. This collective effort wasn’t exclusive to our company; it involved every pharmaceutical entity. Everyone contributed without hesitation. That period stands out as the pinnacle of my career. Despite the challenges of raising three children while working at a high intensity, I have no regrets. - Sara Kraft
Observing this process has made it clear that effective communication is crucial to our collective ability to address biological threats. When communication flows smoothly, we achieve significant progress. However, when it becomes disordered, panic and distrust often follow, leading us to generalize about what we do not comprehend.
In my view, the general public tends to fear what they do not understand. When faced with the unknown, the mind often fills in gaps to create a sense of safety. Thus, overcoming this fear hinges on education. - Sara Kraft
So, what insights can we draw from this shared global experience to break science free from its traditional confines?
While not everyone needs to engage in developing life sciences technologies, the innovations being created today will influence every person's life, regardless of their understanding of them. The bioeconomy in the U.S. is thriving, accounting for over 5.1% ($959.2 billion) of the nation's GDP. Historically, growth has been concentrated in well-known biotech hubs like Boston and San Francisco. However, reflecting on the pandemic and the workforce changes that have emerged, we see renewed potential to expand the bioeconomy beyond these traditional areas and unlock the untapped capabilities across the United States.
Clinical Trials as a Blueprint for Decentralizing Science and the Bioeconomy
Clinical trials exemplify a collaborative scientific effort that can serve as a model for decentralization. To bring new therapeutics to market, various stakeholders must work together:
- Scientists apply innovative biological findings to create hypothetical therapeutics.
- Companies invest in these insights to test their effectiveness through clinical trials.
- Regulatory agencies like the FDA assess the safety and efficacy of these therapeutics.
- Physicians stay informed about available clinical trials and guide their patients in evaluating participation.
- The public needs to understand and support clinical trials, whether as participants or by helping friends and family engage.
When all stakeholders are well-informed about their roles, the process becomes productive and inspiring, leading to therapeutics that significantly enhance lives globally. Conversely, when engagement is lacking, only 14% of clinical trials meet their recruitment goals on time, and 19% of registered trials are prematurely terminated due to insufficient participants.
While collaboration among these stakeholders does occur, it often has rigid objectives that promote isolated creation of knowledge. These groups rarely convene in a single space for extended periods, except for annual conferences. Thus, a continuous platform for open collaboration aimed at decentralizing science is sorely needed.
Creating Community Ecosystems for Scientific Advancement
To transition from the status quo in clinical trials and the broader scientific discoveries that fuel the bioeconomy, we propose a deliberate initiative to establish community ecosystems dedicated to scientific advancement. These ecosystems would aim to decentralize science and enhance public understanding, ownership, and trust in scientific methods and emerging technologies.
By establishing a nationwide network of community science centers that promote collaboration and education among key stakeholders, we believe we can transform the landscape of science communication and acceptance. These centers will serve as both physical and intellectual hubs for ongoing collaboration, bringing stakeholders together to redefine science.
Key Stakeholders for Success
The most crucial aspect of any initiative is the team of stakeholders necessary to execute the vision. To fundamentally alter the scientific paradigm in the U.S., the following stakeholders must be included:
- Artists in Residence: Artists will play a pivotal role in our decentralization model, serving as creative directors and facilitators of partnerships. By translating scientific dialogue into relatable artistic experiences, they can foster a more engaging conversation around clinical trials and scientific advancements.
- Community Centers: These science centers will be integrated into local communities, drawing on the expertise of established community centers. They will offer tailored educational opportunities for all ages, dismantling the "one size fits all" approach to learning.
- Industry Participants: Pharmaceutical, biotech, and MedTech companies will establish a presence within these local science ecosystems. This involvement allows for direct engagement with patients and caregivers, demystifying the therapeutic development process.
- Decentralized Clinical Trial Sites: Each science center will host clinical trial sites for ongoing studies, equipped with modern medical and technological resources typically found in academic medical centers.
- Regulatory Agencies: Government bodies like the FDA and CDC will be actively involved, fostering trust between communities and these agencies through transparency and engagement.
- Educational Institutions: Local schools and universities will provide open-access classes, enabling community members to learn about the scientific method and current research initiatives.
- Hospitals: Whenever feasible, these centers should be connected to local hospitals to ensure a cohesive healthcare ecosystem that promotes collaboration and knowledge sharing.
Envisioning the Future
This ambitious vision for the U.S. bioeconomy entails a network of science center ecosystems flourishing across the nation—from Boston to Wichita, San Francisco to Boise. Trust in drug development, scientific methods, and the individuals conducting the research will grow, while science literacy improves and fear diminishes.
By establishing local science ecosystems, we can physically and intellectually connect scientists with the general population. Each ecosystem can adapt to the unique dynamics of its community while maintaining a standardized framework.
I am convinced that this decentralized model for education and clinical trials will enhance diversity in clinical trials, build trust in the medicine development process, and encourage participation in bioeconomy initiatives. The pandemic has taught us the importance of meeting patients where they are, and we have made significant strides in reducing the burdens associated with trial participation. Providing individuals with the necessary tools and resources will undoubtedly open doors for greater involvement.
- Sara Kraft
Thank you to Sara Kraft, Director of Innovation and Business Strategy at AstraZeneca, for collaborating on this piece with me!
Want to engage in a discussion about biotechnology or bioeconomy innovation? Let’s connect! If you’re working on exciting science that contributes to this conversation, leave a comment below! Don’t forget to check out this other intriguing article:
Follow Bioeconomy.XYZ to discover how biotechnology is shaping our world.
The video titled "BIO - A new era of Decentralized Science" discusses innovative approaches to scientific collaboration and the future of decentralized science.