Novartis and the Novartis US Foundation have announced grants totaling $17.7 million over 10 years to co-create clinical trial centers of excellence at three HBCU medical colleges.

As part of the Beacon of Hope initiative—a collaboration launched last year with 26 HBCUs and historically Black medical schools, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), Coursera, and the National Medical Association to co-create programs that address the root causes of disparities in health and education, and create greater diversity, equity, inclusion and trust across the research and development ecosystem—centers of excellence will be established at Howard University College of Medicine, Meharry Medical College, and Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science. The first center of excellence is already operating at Morehouse School of Medicine.

In addition, Merck and Sanofi will run clinical trials through the four centers, with the goal of conducting research with investigators and trial managers of color among participants from underrepresented populations to represent the U.S. population more accurately and improve health outcomes. The expansion boosts the commitment from Novartis to more than $50 million over 10 years.

“Within one year of launching this unique collaboration, we have made tangible progress in tackling social determinants of health like education and discrimination, and creating enduring solutions for increasing diversity and inclusion in clinical trials,” said Patrice Matchaba, head of U.S. corporate responsibility at Novartis and president of the Novartis US Foundation. “Last year we issued a call to action to other like-minded companies and organizations to join us in creating this paradigm shift in health equity, and we are honored and humbled that Merck and Sanofi have answered the call.”

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