Opinion: In drug development, diversity must be extended to preclinical research
The pharmaceutical industry has long operated on a one-size-fits-all model, developing drugs primarily tested on, and thus best suited for, people of European descent. This approach ignores — and potentially harms — the billions of people of color on the planet. Lack of diversity occurs at all levels of the pharmaceutical ecosystem, from the makeup of C-suite and research staffs to participation in clinical trials. It even extends to preclinical research.
In 2015, the FDA began reporting on the representation of individuals in clinical trials, with the hope that raising awareness would drive meaningful change. This effort, however, has not yet yielded enough progress. Data from 2023 paint a stark picture of the ongoing racial disparity in clinical trials: among 4,522 people enrolled in 14 cancer drug trials, 62% were white, 23% were Asian, while only 2% were Black and 4% were Hispanic/Latino.
