Drug developers have long needed to diversify clinical trials to improve the safety, efficacy, and adoption of new therapies among historically underrepresented groups. “This isn’t new for us,” says Giovanni Caforio, CEO of Bristol Myers Squibb, which makes treatments for everything from cancer to HIV/AIDS. But BMS made big strides this year. Now, 58% of its U.S. trial sites (compared with a 25% goal) are located in communities that have at least a 30% nonwhite population. It also increased nonwhite-patient recruitment by 22%. There’s more work to be done, but BMS’s sustained focus on diversity is yielding real progress.
More from TIME
A weekly newsletter featuring conversations with the world’s top CEOs, managers, and founders. Join the Leadership Brief.
- Donald Trump Is TIME's 2024 Person of the Year
- Why We Chose Trump as Person of the Year
- Is Intermittent Fasting Good or Bad for You?
- The 100 Must-Read Books of 2024
- The 20 Best Christmas TV Episodes
- Column: If Optimism Feels Ridiculous Now, Try Hope
- The Future of Climate Action Is Trade Policy
- Merle Bombardieri Is Helping People Make the Baby Decision
