Problem
We partnered with a biotech company to recruit a rare genetic subset of Parkinson’s Disease patients for a Phase 2 clinical trial. Only about 3% of Parkinson’s Disease patients carry the targeted LRRK2 genetic marker, which made broad advertising inefficient and difficult to trust.
The sponsor needed qualified referrals from patients who were open to genetic testing and located in areas underserved by existing recruitment methods. Digital advertising could generate inquiries, but very few of them carried the genetic confirmation the study required.
Our approach
We engaged the Parkinson’s community by focusing on patients interested in genetics while prioritizing geographic areas underserved by existing recruitment methods, reaching active patients across 40 US states.
Patient coordinators led the conversations. Their initial goal was to relate to incoming patients, understand their needs, and connect them with resources that matched their journey. After establishing a connection and determining baseline eligibility, they shared information about the study and the genetic testing opportunity, then supported each patient through at-home genetic kits and site scheduling.
Those conversations built trust around genetic testing as a meaningful part of treatment planning. As patients learned that understanding their underlying Parkinson’s Disease could point toward better options, genetics became a much more prominent community topic.
Results
WeHealth generated 372 patient inquiries, qualified 143 research study candidates, and delivered 20 genetically-confirmed LRRK2+ referrals to the site — at a cost of just $3,700 per confirmed referral. Those referrals converted to appointments at a 45% rate, roughly 20X the 2.2% industry benchmark.
Head to head, WeHealth produced the same number of randomized patients as the sponsor’s digital-advertising program while spending 10.5X less — $74K versus $776K. Cost per randomized patient came in at $24,667 for WeHealth against $258,878 for digital advertising. WeHealth became the study’s highest-converting channel, contributing 6.5% of all randomizations from just 3.1% of screened patients.
That advantage held across the funnel: WeHealth patients converted from screening to randomization at 60%, versus 36.5% study-wide and 18.8% for digital ads — making a WeHealth patient 3.2X more likely to randomize than a digital-sourced one.
The depth behind those numbers came from real conversations: 2,501 call attempts, 428 live patient calls, and 135 hours of coordinator call time, averaging 29 minutes per kit-ordering patient. The campaign reached a 97.2% prescreener qualification rate.
What patients said about the campaign:
- "I never imagined myself joining a research study but you made everything simple and reassuring from the start. Being part of this Parkinson’s community has given me a lot of support. I’m grateful you connected me with others who truly understand what living with Parkinson’s feels like."
- "Knowing there’s research focused on people like me gives me hope and purpose. I’ve seen so many ads online about clinical trials but finding this study by way of patients sharing your campaign and resources gave me the confidence to move forward when I matched with this opportunity."
- "Being a part of something like this gives hope and at the least can provide more answers. Thank you so much for all that you’re doing to support patients and provide us with resources like this."
- "I’ve shared your campaign with my network in hopes of connecting others with this incredibly valuable resource. Everyone with Parkinson’s deserves the type of support you’re providing."
