Accelerating recruitment for delayed IBD trials using real patients to create an authentic patient-led campaign

Therapy Area

Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease

Markets

USA, Europe and Australia

Media

Search, display, social media and programmatic advertising.

Awards

PM Society Digital Award Winner - Gold in Patient Programmes and Innovation Effectiveness

Overview

We needed to rescue two ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s trials which were delayed globally. We worked with real patients to create an authentic, patient-led creative campaign that stood out within the crowded category but also resonated deeply with thousands of patients.  At last, they felt understood.

We carefully optimised our spend and creative across search, display, social and programmatic channels, focusing on what was driving the most eligible patient referrals into our Faze1 Referral Management System. From there, our warm handover team conducted phone pre-screenings, ensuring a smooth referral process to trial sites for eligible patients.

Re-engaging ‘Excluded’ Patients

To ensure we didn’t overlook patients who met the trial criteria but hadn’t experienced a recent flare-up, we developed a digital ‘waiting room’ for non-flaring patients.

Using our Faze1 platform, we sent targeted emails and text messages with helpful information on managing Crohn’s and UC, keeping the trial top of mind and patients engaged.

We encouraged patients to reach out when they experienced a flare, so we could follow up and promptly schedule screening at a trial site.

The waiting room strategy proved successful, delivering over a third of all randomisations.