[New Haven, Connecticut] – Clinical Trials Access Collaborative (CTAC) has officially launched as a nonprofit organization following the successful completion of a two-year learning phase initially led under Equitable Breakthroughs in Medicine Development (EQBMED). This next chapter represents a significant milestone in the effort to expand clinical trial access and ensure that individuals who wish to participate in medical research have real opportunities to do so.
Over the past two years, the initiative piloted a community-driven model across clinical trial sites in the U.S., equipping them with the tools and infrastructure needed to sustainably participate in clinical research. This learning phase allowed program leaders to test and refine an approach that addresses key barriers to clinical trial participation and laid the foundation for broader implementation.
“As we transition into Phase 2, we are building on the momentum generated in our initial phase to expand our impact, scale our model, and bring more sites into the clinical research ecosystem,” said Tesheia Harris, MBA, MHS, CEO of CTAC. “By establishing CTAC as a nonprofit, we are ensuring that this work is sustainable and continues to drive meaningful change in how clinical trials are conducted and who has access to participate.”
Key Learnings and Accomplishments from Phase 1
Throughout the Learning Phase, program leaders collaborated with clinical trial sites across 14+ states, each at different stages of clinical trial readiness. These sites, including federally qualified health centers, safety-net hospitals, HBCUs, and specialty hospitals, worked closely with CTAC’s Network Partners—Yale School of Medicine, Morehouse School of Medicine, the Research Centers in Minority Institutions Coordinating Center (RCMI-CC) at Morehouse School of Medicine, and Vanderbilt University Medical Center—to assess their capabilities, define their research aspirations, and implement a roadmap for success.
Among the initiative’s key takeaways and milestones include:
- Developing the Site Maturity Assessment Model, now published in Trials, to help sites assess readiness and develop tailored research strategies.
- Launching the Sponsor Front Door, a first-of-its-kind platform connecting research sponsors with clinical trial sites to increase trial placement efficiency.
- Engaging over 50 cross-industry partners, including leading scientists, physicians, community and professional society leaders, and industry executives committed to driving systemic improvements in clinical trial access.
- Working with industry, sites, and community partners, we helped place 20+ clinical trials with over 4,600 participants, proving that with the right support, more sites can conduct potentially life-saving clinical research.
What’s Next: Phase 2 and the Future of CTAC
With proof of concept validated, CTAC will now scale its model nationally, expand trial access, and refine innovative tools that support community-based clinical research. The organization will continue to strengthen partnerships with healthcare providers, biopharmaceutical companies, research institutions, and community organizations to accelerate trial placement and improve patient engagement strategies.
To support these efforts, CTAC has launched a $50 million capital campaign to secure funding that will sustain and scale its work, ensuring lasting impact in clinical trial accessibility. This funding will support five key areas:
- Establish CTAC as a Stand-Alone Entity, with a three-year financial target to ensure sustainability.
- Develop Mentoring Hubs, to foster collaboration and peer learning among sites.
- Sustain the 10 Initial Learning Phase Sites, elevating them to the next level of readiness and maturity.
- Expand to 15 New Sites, with a mix of rural and urban populations, and operational milestones over the next three years.
- Create a Workforce Development Program, including training academies, non-physician staffing models, and compensation structures.
An early funder of the effort, PhRMA has awarded CTAC an additional $2M in seed funding to continue their momentum.
“The launch of CTAC represents more than a continuation of the work—it represents a strong foundation and a clear path forward,” said Richard Moscicki, MD, CTAC Board of Directors Chair, “We are building a future where access to medical innovation is no longer dictated by geography, financial burden, or simply not being invited to participate. We’re deeply grateful to our board members and Network Partners whose leadership and collaboration have made this milestone possible.”
Governance and Leadership
CTAC is guided by a Board of Directors with deep expertise in healthcare innovation, clinical research and public health:
- Richard Moscicki, MD – Chair, Board of Directors
- Janet Woodcock, MD – Board Member
- Freda Lewis-Hall, MD, DFAPA, MFPM – Co-Chair, Advisory Committee, Board Member
- Tesheia Harris, MBA, MHS – Founder and CEO, Board Member
This Board will provide strategic oversight and help CTAC build on its momentum while ensuring long-term sustainability. Plans are in place to expand the Board over time, with a focus on representing early launch partners and key collaborators. CTAC continues to be advised by the Network Partners and other mission aligned leaders:
- Marcella Nunez-Smith, MD, MHS – Network Partner and Co-Founder
- Elizabeth Ofili, MD, MPH, FACC – Network Partner and Co-Founder
- Priscilla E. Pemu, MBBS, MSCR, FACP, FAHA – Network Partner and Co-Founder
- Peter J. Embí, MD, MS, FACP, FACMI, FIAHSI – Network Partner and Co-Founder
- Richardae Araojo, PharmD, MS – Chief Regulatory Officer
- Linda Coleman, JD, CIP, CHC, CHRC, CCEP-I – Chief Officer for Research Integrity, Quality, and Excellence
- Maija N. Williams, BA, MPH – CTAC Treasurer
- Kelly M. Anastasio, COC, CPC, CPCO, CPB, CFC, CSSGB – CTAC Corporate Governance Officer
For more information on CTAC and its efforts to expand clinical trial access, visit CTAC.org or follow on:
- LinkedIn: Clinical Trials Access Collaborative
About Clinical Trials Access Collaborative (CTAC)
Clinical Trials Access Collaborative (CTAC) is a partnership committed to making medical research more accessible, so those who wish to participate in clinical trials have opportunities to do so. CTAC was initially funded by PhRMA, which awarded a $10 million grant to Yale School of Medicine to support the development of the program. The organization is led by national clinical research experts, with continued advisory support from Yale School of Medicine, Morehouse School of Medicine, the Research Centers in Minority Institutions Coordinating Center (RCMI-CC) at Morehouse School of Medicine, and Vanderbilt University Medical Center. CTAC is dedicated to driving long-term impact, support systemic change in clinical trial access, and foster strong collaborations across the healthcare ecosystem, from community providers to research institutions and industry partners. CTAC presently is in the 501(c)(3) application process.