Carbon Health Unveils Carbon for Research, a Clinical Trial Research Program to Drive Healthcare Advancements

Healthcare provider partners with Merck on clinical research for new COVID-19 antiviral treatments

SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Carbon Health, a leading national healthcare provider, today unveiled Carbon for Research, a clinical trial research program that has been partnering with therapeutics companies to conduct cutting-edge research for clinical trials focused on medical devices, diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines. Through Carbon for Research, Carbon Health is furthering its mission of providing high-quality healthcare to everyone by driving advancements in healthcare for diverse populations.

As part of this nationwide program, Merck, a multinational pharmaceutical company, has selected Carbon Health to participate in two double-blinded phase III International clinical trials to test the effectiveness of a new COVID-19 antiviral treatment pill, molnupiravir for both treatment and prophylaxis indications.

Carbon for Research leverages the company’s integrated technology platform, nationwide clinical access points, a diverse patient population and a sophisticated central operations model. The program has completed multiple studies and covers all aspects of developing and executing clinical trial research, including identifying Carbon Health study sites based on partner needs, budgeting, contracting, study training, operations, regulatory oversight and an in-house EHR technology platform that allows analysts to efficiently generate targeted screening mechanisms for study teams to review patient data and recruit effectively. Carbon Health’s omnichannel care model allows research partners to reach patients via 90 in-person clinics in 14 states, home-based care (including remote patient monitoring), telehealth and CarePods. By enabling partners to reach a wide range of patients through a variety of access points, Carbon Health supports the increase of racial, socioeconomic and geographic diversity of its partners’ clinical studies. This model allows studies to be conducted more efficiently, rapidly, and cost-effectively while minimizing errors and decreasing traditional barriers.

Carbon Health has partnered with Merck in two double-blinded clinical trials to test the effectiveness of a new COVID-19 antiviral treatment pill, molnupiravir. The first treatment trial is based out of Los Angeles and aims to study whether molnupiravir decreases the severity of illness for high-risk, unvaccinated patients who tested positive for COVID-19. Based out of San Diego and the Bay Area, the second prophylaxis trial evaluates the effectiveness of molnupiravir to prevent transmission to those who have been exposed to, but are not yet infected with COVID-19. To enroll in the study, the patient must be unvaccinated and live with a current COVID-positive, symptomatic patient.

“The COVID-19 pandemic proved that new therapies and diagnostics can be developed and launched quickly and safely through strategic partnerships, better access to patient populations, timely resources, and streamlined operational models,” said Dr. Aaron Weinberg, Medical Director of Program Development & National Director of Carbon for Research. “However, many clinical trials aren’t inclusive enough and as a result, aren’t able to reflect diverse healthcare needs. Carbon for Research provides a novel end to end solution while fostering diverse patient enrollment in clinical research to ensure that future therapies and interventions are safe and effective for all in the population.”

In addition to driving advancements in healthcare through its clinical trial program, over the course of the pandemic Carbon Health has led several public health initiatives to increase healthcare access and help patients manage their long-term symptoms around COVID-19. Carbon Health launched a fully integrated HIPAA-compliant solution to securely enable businesses to comply with current and upcoming COVID vaccination mandates by collecting, storing, and facilitating reporting of sensitive employee vaccination and testing information. The company administered more than 1.4 million COVID-19 tests and 1.5 million COVID-19 vaccines and launched programs such as COVID Positive Care to provide comprehensive care, monitoring, and education to COVID-positive patients and COVID Ready to help businesses and employees safely return to work. Carbon Health’s dedication to providing ongoing COVID-19 care, vaccines and clinical research underscores its focus on creating a long-term care relationship with patients through which it delivers care when and where patients need it most.

To enroll in a clinical trial or inquire about partnerships with Carbon for Research, contact [email protected] or call 818-208-8574.

About Carbon Health

Carbon Health is a leading national healthcare provider with a mission to bring high-quality healthcare to everyone. Carbon Health provides primary and urgent care that is accessible to nearly two-thirds of the U.S. Leveraging its unique technology platform, Carbon Health provides its patients with omnichannel care, designed to meet patients where they are by delivering care via a variety of access points, including in-person clinics, home-based care, hardware, on-site employer-based care, and virtually via the Carbon Health app. Carbon Health also provides value-based care to enterprise partners across a broad range of industries, including academia, sports, entertainment, biotechnology, and travel.

Founded in 2015, Carbon Health is headquartered in San Francisco and backed by Atreides, Blackstone Horizon, Dragoneer Investment Group, Brookfield Technology Partners (BTP), Fifth Wall, Lux Capital, Silver Lake Waterman, DCVC, and Builders VC. To access Carbon Health, download the app (iTunes or Google Play) or visit carbonhealth.com.

About Merck

For over 130 years, Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, has been inventing for life, bringing forward medicines and vaccines for many of the world’s most challenging diseases in pursuit of our mission to save and improve lives. We demonstrate our commitment to patients and population health by increasing access to health care through far-reaching policies, programs and partnerships. Today, Merck continues to be at the forefront of research to prevent and treat diseases that threaten people and animals – including cancer, infectious diseases such as HIV and Ebola, and emerging animal diseases – as we aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.

Contacts

Lindsey Whitehouse

[email protected]

Melissa Moody

[email protected]