Digital Health
Decentralized trials startup Curebase scraps clinical operations unit, narrows in on software
Decentralized clinical trials startup Curebase has laid off many employees as the company scraps its clinical operations business to focus on software,…
Decentralized clinical trials startup Curebase has laid off many employees as the company scraps its clinical operations business to focus on software, per a Thursday LinkedIn post from founder and CEO Tom Lemberg.
Curebase’s downsizing and narrowed ambitions come as the decentralized and hybrid clinical trials space adjusts to the reopening of in-person trials and growing pains following a rapid rise in similar startups during the Covid-19 pandemic. Like other virtual trial providers, Curebase aimed to improve patient engagement, partner with more physicians in the community setting and enhance trial diversity.
Tom Lemberg“We regret the turbulence our industry is experiencing, including staffing reductions at Curebase and many of our peer startups trying to make an impact in this space,” Lemberg wrote in his post, which appears to be a reaction to multiple employees posting about the layoffs on LinkedIn in recent days. “We wish our talented teammates who are affected by this decision the best, and know that they’ll make incredible contributions at other organizations.”
The California startup’s CEO said a “mature ecosystem of sites, CROs and vendors” are “ready to lead on DCT and hybrid trial services.” With that, Curebase’s future will revolve around its software-as-a-service and partnerships with service providers.
One Curebase employee said it was the company’s third round of layoffs in the past year and a half. Another employee, whose LinkedIn profile says she was Curebase’s director of site operations, said they were impacted six weeks ago.
The company disclosed a $40 million Series B in May 2022, with support from Gilead and VC firms like Industry Ventures, Acrew Capital and others. At that point, it had more than 120 staffers and Lemberg told Endpoints News about plans to expand into more countries, offer 10 languages by the end of 2022 and boost its site network. Its website describes having a network of 300 healthcare providers and 50+ local clinic partners.
Curebase’s software is being used by companies like Walgreens to find and enroll people in a study for early cancer detection.
Keep it Short
By KIM BELLARD OK, I admit it: I’m on Facebook. I still use Twitter – whoops, I mean X. I have an Instagram account but don’t think I’ve ever posted….
Asian Fund for Cancer Research announces Degron Therapeutics as the 2023 BRACE Award Venture Competition Winner
The Asian Fund for Cancer Research (AFCR) is pleased to announce that Degron Therapeutics was selected as the winner of the 2023 BRACE Award Venture Competition….
Seattle startup Olamedi building platform to automate health clinic communications
A new Seattle startup led by co-founders with experience in health tech is aiming to automate communication processes for healthcare clinics with its software…
