Samsung is working with Alcedis.

Samsung has announced a strategic partnership with Alcedis, a digital-focused organization specializing in clinical research, aimed at transforming biometric data collected via wearable devices into significant evidence for pharmaceutical and other research organizations. This collaboration seeks to enhance the efficiency of clinical studies in terms of both cost and time by leveraging advanced wearable technology and validated clinical measurements.

The use of wearable technologies has become increasingly accessible and cost-effective for collecting continuous health data from real-world environments, making them highly attractive for clinical research. However, many research programs face challenges in converting signals generated by wearables into clinically meaningful evidence. To address this challenge, Samsung is adopting a comprehensive approach that combines its latest advancements in wearable technology with clinically validated measurements such as bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and electrodermal activity (EDA). Additionally, the company is utilizing software functions like Software as a Medical Device (SaMD) for detecting conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and atrial fibrillation (AFib).

Jongmin Choi, head of the Health R&D Group, Mobile eXperience (MX) Business at Samsung Electronics, emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts in shaping the future of clinical research. He stated that through its partnership with Alcedis, Samsung aims to open new opportunities for developing biomarkers, innovating digital endpoints, and creating evidence throughout the entire research cycle. Samsung's research platform will start with its most advanced devices and biosensors available on the Galaxy Watch, enabling continuous collection of physiological data in real-world settings for users who have given their consent.

With leading wearable technology in the industry and a collaborative approach to developing measurement methodologies that provide a foundation for scientifically significant digital biomarkers and endpoints, Samsung’s research platform allows for faster establishment of studies with precise control over biosensors and access to insights and sensor data at the participant and device levels according to study protocols and specific guidelines.

Healthcare is moving towards more connected, data-driven models of care and research, and Samsung is helping bridge the gap between everyday health monitoring and scientific discoveries. This enables a new era of evidence creation that brings researchers closer to insights from real-world environments and helps accelerate innovations across the entire healthcare ecosystem.

Hanno Härtlein, CEO of Alcedis, highlighted the importance of capturing significant health data outside traditional clinical settings for the future of clinical research. He noted that the partnership with Samsung combines complementary strengths and infrastructure expansion to support the development of endpoints and biomarkers, speed up evidence creation, and promote patient-centered healthcare innovations. Within the scope of their collaboration, Alcedis will lead the execution of studies and participant recruitment, while Samsung will provide its advanced wearable technology and research infrastructure to support evidence creation.

This partnership underscores the growing trend of integrating wearable technology with clinical research to improve the accuracy and relevance of health data collected in real-world scenarios. As healthcare continues to evolve, collaborations like these are expected to play a crucial role in advancing medical research and innovation. The integration of wearable technology with clinical research is anticipated to lead to more efficient and effective ways of gathering and analyzing health data, ultimately benefiting patients and healthcare providers alike.