What You Should Know:
– Lightship, a virtual-first provider of clinical trials, today announced that it has raised $40M to create access to clinical research for all patients and improving diversity among patient groups taking part in clinical trials around the world led by Define Ventures and Brook Byers, with participation from Khosla Ventures, McKesson Ventures and Marc Benioff’s TIME Ventures. This round of investment follows $20M of funding that Lightship announced in February 2020 to improve access and diversity in clinical trials.
Founded in 2018, Lightship’s end-to-end model is reaching under-served populations, increasing access to clinical studies for patients everywhere, and helping bring more innovative medicines to market.
– The new funds will be used to help drive the firm’s expansion, including internationally, with a new office opening in the Fall in London, United Kingdom. The firm is continuing to add new pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to its client base, in new therapeutic areas, and has continued to expand with the addition of over 100 new employees so far in 2021.