Kroger Enters Clinical Trials

Kroger Health, the healthcare division of The Kroger Co., has established its clinical trial site network and announces its first trial for colorectal cancer gut and immune health observation.

In collaboration with Persephone Biosciences, Kroger Health is actively recruiting for the ARGONAUT clinical study to identify microbiome-based biomarkers indicative of colorectal cancer. Beginning in the Toledo, Ohio area, select Kroger pharmacies and its affiliate, The Little Clinic LLC, locations will enroll its initial cohort of 55 people with a variety of colorectal cancer risk levels to advance the understanding of gut and immune health.

According to Kroger Health president Colleen Lindholz, the larger organization features more than 24,000 healthcare professionals, and with its unique position “at the nexus of food and healthcare” believes it can increase accessibility to clinical trial opportunities.

In addition to accessibility and the fact that 51% of Kroger stores are located in socially vulnerable areas, the network also features the grocer's data analytic capabilities, and the ability to use digital tools, virtual care visits and personalized communication to study participants. In addition, its clinics, dietitians, pharmacy services, and relationships with other healthcare organizations enable Kroger Health to offer end-to-end clinical trial management within a variety of preventive and therapeutic areas.

Read more from Kroger Health on the study and its clinical trial capabilities.