Principle LTC Expands Clinical Partnership to Include Alzheimer’s Study

North Carolina-based operator Principle LTC is bringing a new opportunity for Alzheimer’s research to its facilities, thanks to an expanded partnership with research organization Care Access.

Principle LTC residents that meet criteria at North Carolina facilities, along with community members, will be able to participate in clinical trials, according to a news release announcing the partnership. Such facilities represent underserved communities that don’t often get access to clinical study participation.

“I’m hoping this is the beginning of our industry getting excited about working with academia and research and improving the lives of our communities going forward,” Principle LTC President and CEO Lynn Hood told Skilled Nursing News. “I’ve already talked to quite a few other key leaders of nursing home companies … we’ve got to move on this.”

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The partnership will enable community members and residents to participate in a clinical trial involving an investigational treatment to prevent or slow down Alzheimer’s disease.

This isn’t the first time Principle has partnered with Care Access, Hood said. Early in the pandemic, the operator participated in clinical trials for investigational Covid-19 treatments, namely Eli Lilly’s monoclonal antibody drug.

“Deep collaborations at the local level and working with community leaders like Principle will help us bring these innovative treatments to people who would normally not have access to them,” Ahmad Namvargolian, CEO and co-founder of Care Access, said in a statement.

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The nursing home industry is “uniquely positioned” to serve as a clinical study environment because of its regular interactions with local health systems and providers, assisted living facilities, home and community-based services, emergency workers and academia.

Principle, which operates 45 facilities across Kentucky and Virginia, in addition to North Carolina, offers short-term, long-term and memory care services. Four additional facilities have been approved for construction in North Carolina.

The operator also offers hospice services via its subsidiary Cardinal Hospice Care.

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