LaShell Robinson on Takeda’s Initiative to Improve Research Diversity

In a recent interview with Dermatology Times, LaShell Robinson, executive director and global head for global feasibility and trial equity at Takeda, discussed the company’s efforts to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in clinical trials. She emphasized the need to rethink recruitment strategies to ensure participation from historically underrepresented communities. One major barrier to participation in clinical trials is that individuals “haven’t heard about it from a health care provider, or they simply don’t have access to the information.” To address this, Takeda implemented community engagement strategies that involved investigators working directly with local organizations.

One innovative approach involved an investigator presenting to a local community about plaque psoriasis, a condition often thought to be uncommon in communities of color. This effort not only educated the audience about the disease but also highlighted the importance of representation in clinical research. Robinson noted that this helped to “close that gap that we typically see exist between communities and that trust factor.”

Takeda also incorporated best practices into investigator meetings to improve diagnosis in diverse populations. Traditional medical resources often lack images of conditions on darker skin tones, leading to underdiagnosis. By educating investigators on diagnosing across varying skin tones and encouraging them to review their site resources—including multilingual staff and diverse imagery—Takeda set them up for success in reaching underrepresented patients.

The trial’s design was driven by epidemiological data, but Robinson highlighted the surprising lack of available information on plaque psoriasis in some populations. To fill this gap, Takeda sought feedback from healthcare providers and adjusted its site selection strategy accordingly. Notably, they found that prevalence was higher among American Indian and Native American populations than expected.

Additionally, Takeda used artificial intelligence to create medical imagery for underrepresented populations, as existing visuals were limited. The company has also partnered with organizations like the National Psoriasis Foundation to continue raising awareness and promoting inclusivity. Robinson emphasized that Takeda’s commitment to DEI is integral to all its trials, ensuring that research is both scientifically robust and equitably representative.

Read more about Takeda’s initiative to enhance psoriasis research here.