Bristol-Myers Squibb expands clinical trial data access through Duke alliance

Bristol-Myers Squibb has announced a new partnership with Duke University that will accelerate its efforts to achieve better clinical trial transparency standards.

Through this alliance with the Duke Clinical Research Institute (DCRI), the company will expand access to a broader set of clinical trial information for researchers who make requests that meet prespecified requirements.

Information being made available for scientific research will include protocols, full clinical study reports and de-identified patient-level data and study-level data for medicines and indications approved in the US and/or Europe for trials completed after January 2008. Meanwhile, information from terminated programs will be available two years after discontinuation.

Additionally, certain data will be made available online. This drive for openness will make it easier for medical researchers to progress their studies using Bristol-Myers Squibb's findings.

Francis Cuss, executive vice-president and chief scientific officer at Bristol-Myers Squibb, said the agreement "reflects our commitment to providing broader, more timely access to important clinical trial information and serves as a catalyst to strengthening public confidence in medicines, advancing science and improving public health".

Initiatives such as this helped the company top Corporate Responsibility magazine's list of the world's 100 leading corporate citizens for a third time earlier this year.