Government Investment in Life Sciences Extends to Mobile

LONDON, December 7, 2011 - The UK Clinical Trials Gateway (UKCTG) have partnered with mobile agency AlwaysOnMessage to trial smartphone apps as a channel to help users gain access to information about clinical trials.

The first app to be launched, UK Clinical Trials Gateway, has been unveiled as part of the Government's 'Plan for Growth, (announced in March 2011) and fulfills its ongoing commitment to opening up information to the general public. The Prime Minister referred to this yesterday as part of his plans to reform the NHS.

The app allow users with an interest in clinical trials access to information surrounding them; whether this be patients, carers, clinicians, academics, researchers, pharmaceutical professionals or students.

Using data from both the Clinical Trials and ISRCTN databases, the app encourages the general public to research information that is available but, in past years, has been limited to web based users.

One specific goal of the project is to enable patients to research trials specific to their condition; letting them visit a GP with an idea of the trials available.

Peter Swain, CEO of AlwaysOnMessage, comments:

"The adoption of mobile apps is well documented and creates a perfect platform for projects such as the UKCTG. We hope this forms the foundation of great things to come, but if all we do is help patients at their time of need then we will have succeeded."

The UK Clinical Trial Gateway app is available for download on iPhone, with future releases due on Android and iPad planned in the coming months.

http://itunes.apple.com/app/uk-clinical-trials-gateway/id481636381?mt=8

Editorial Notes:

About AlwaysOnMessage

AlwaysOnMessage is an award winning mobile agency specialising in cutting-edge apps from concept to delivery.

Recently named as a "Mobile Developer Titan" by Mobile Industry Review and a "Top Mobile Innovator" by Mobile Entertainment Magazine, AlwaysOnMessage is one of the UK's leading players in the mobile space.

Recent clients include the Department of Health, Economist Thinking Spaces and Sandman Hotels Group as well as Joint Venture projects with Nokia, O2 and IPC Media.

Success is underpinned by close relationships with manufacturers, operators and platforms; including invitation only memberships with Nokia Launchpad PRO, the BlackBerry Alliance Partner Program and Microsoft BizSpark.

About the UK Clinical Trials Gateway

The UKCTG is being established by the National Institute for Health Research on behalf of all the UK Health Departments and with the assistance of a number of clinical research charities, research professionals and patient representatives.

It fulfills the Government's commitment in the "Plan for Growth", published by HM Treasury in March 2011 that the Government will open up information about clinical trials to enable the public to get involved and so that patients can find out about clinical trials that may be relevant to their condition.