Boehringer Ingelheim and IBM have joined forces to use blockchain recordkeeping in a clinical trial in Canada, using IBM’s technology. They say they want to check whether a decentralised service can provide integrity and transparency in data, automate some processes and cut costs. The companies also want to make it easier for people taking part in trials to have control over their data. Blockchains are the distributed ledger technology that underpins bitcoin, ethereum and other cryptocurrencies. The Canada-based units of Boehringer Ingelheim and IBM will work together to employ blockchain record-keeping technology in a clinical trial pilot project, in what they say will be a first in the country. Boehringer is already developing blockchain for its supply operations but the project with IBM will be its first use of blockchain in clinical research.
Boehringer Ingelheim and IBM have joined forces to use blockchain recordkeeping in a clinical trial in Canada, using IBM’s technology. They say they want to check whether a decentralised service can provide integrity and transparency in data, automate some processes and cut costs. The companies also want to make it easier for people taking part in trials to have control over their data. Blockchains are the distributed ledger technology that underpins bitcoin, ethereum and other cryptocurrencies. Boehringer is already developing blockchain for its supply operations but the project with IBM will be its first use of blockchain in clinical research.