CASE STUDY

Esperion – Improving clinical trial diversity with women in cardiology

Published Date – 22 April 2024

The challenge

Esperion, a company dedicated to improving cardiovascular outcomes, completed its CLEAR Outcomes study in 2023, achieving a remarkable milestone: 48% of participants were women. In an industry where most cardiovascular clinical trials enroll fewer than 30% women, this represented a significant step forward in addressing gender disparities in research. Rather than simply celebrating this success, Esperion wanted to deepen its impact by learning how to build on this achievement and continue setting new standards for clinical trial diversity. To do so, they turned to Women As One for guidance.

The Women As One solution

Esperion approached Women As One with the idea of hosting a forum to explore the future of gender equity in cardiology and clinical trial participation. Together, we co-created an event that would take place during the 2024 American College of Cardiology (ACC) Annual Scientific Sessions. The event featured a networking reception and an expert panel discussion focused on the CLEAR Outcomes study results, as well as the broader barriers and opportunities for increasing women’s participation in cardiovascular clinical trials.

In addition to the event, Esperion sought to develop a publication that would honor the legacy of women in cardiology and connect that history to ongoing efforts to advance gender equity in cardiovascular care and research. The result was The Pulse of Change: Women in Cardiology. This visually rich, story-driven keepsake celebrated the contributions of women leaders in the field while emphasizing the importance of equitable representation in science and medicine.

Women As One led the strategy, speaker outreach, and promotional efforts for the ACC event, ensuring the presence of renowned experts on clinical trial diversity. We also partnered with experienced content and design professionals to produce The Pulse of Change, aligning messaging with Esperion’s commitment to equity in cardiology research.

The results

The event drew over 100 attendees, including women cardiologists and allies from around the world, who came together to recognize the success of the CLEAR Outcomes trial and discuss next steps for improving clinical trial diversity in cardiovascular health. The launch of The Pulse of Change created a powerful moment of celebration and reflection, further amplified by the presence of Dr. Michael Gibson, whose artwork was featured in the book and who attended to sign copies personally.

Esperion gained invaluable, actionable insights from women in cardiology about how to meaningfully advance clinical trial diversity in both participation and leadership roles. Their collaboration with Women As One elevated their visibility as a leader in research equity and demonstrated their long-term commitment to improving gender equity in cardiology.

By leveraging the expertise and community of Women As One, Esperion’s work stood as a model of what is possible when women physicians are empowered to lead and drive change in cardiovascular research.

Women As One is a global nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing the inclusion, development, and advancement of women physicians in cardiology. By creating opportunities and resources specifically designed to support women in the field, we aim to address long-standing gender disparities and foster a more equitable and representative cardiovascular workforce.

We believe that partnerships with industry organizations are essential to creating meaningful, systemic change. Through collaboration, we can amplify our reach, align on shared goals, and develop innovative initiatives that promote gender equity across all areas of cardiology, from clinical trials and leadership to education and visibility. If your organization is committed to making cardiology a more inclusive and diverse specialty, we would be delighted to explore potential opportunities for collaboration. To learn more about partnership opportunities with Women As One, please contact us at info@womenasone.org.

Let’s create a lasting impact, together.

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