Verily — the life sciences arm of Google-parent company Alphabet — inked a collaboration with six major US health systems to develop solutions to roadblocks that often arise during the clinical research process, which aligns with its research-centered health play. In a pilot that'll take off this year, Verily plans to work with these partners to streamline research and enhance both engagement and access for patients and clinicians alike. Dubbed Baseline Health System Consortium, the collaboration is the newest addition to Verily's Project Baseline Initiative, which launched in 2017 with the bold goal of developing tech to help researchers architect a "comprehensive map of human health." Here's what it means: Verily's committed itself to medical research with a host of partnerships. The bigger picture: We'll likely see Alphabet's Verily continue to lean on its research partnerships to boost its health play — a strategy that could help it stand out among other tech giants encroaching on the healthcare sphere. Competitors have their sights on other healthcare ventures, so Verily's research focus could be a smart way to carve out a niche in the market.Amazon and Apple, for example, are focused on getting their products through health systems' doors. Apple boasts a blossoming list of clients using its health record system, and Amazon recently unveiled a medical software system that health systems can adopt. Verily, however, is remaining heavily focused on its ability to act as an ally to health systems with complimentary services that help transform the way health is researched and healthcare's delivered, while other big tech firms are creating solutions that would enable them to circumnavigate or even cut out traditional healthcare players. Verily's continued focus on strengthening its commitment to enhancing clinical research — and ability to expand its roster of healthcare partners — could help Alphabet deepen its health play. Interested in getting the full story? Subscribe to a Premium pass to Business Insider Intelligence and gain immediate access to the Digital Health Briefing, plus more than 250 other expertly researched reports. As an added bonus, you'll also gain access to all future reports and daily newsletters to ensure you stay ahead of the curve and benefit personally and professionally. >> Learn More Now
Alphabet’s life sciences arm US has signed an agreement with six Verily health systems to streamline the clinical research process. The group, known as the Baseline Health System Consortium, will work together to identify challenges and develop solutions for problems, while making the research process more engaging for clinicians and patients. The partnership includes Duke University Health System, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Mayo Clinic, Regional Health in South Dakota, and the University of Pittsburgh. US plans to launch a pilot project later this year.