This interview is with Nazar Hembara, CEO at AllClinicalTrials.com.

Nazar Hembara, CEO, AllClinicalTrials.com

Nazar, could you start by telling us a bit about yourself and your journey to becoming the founder of AllClinicalTrials.com? What sparked your passion for improving access to clinical trials?

My journey to founding AllClinicalTrials.com started with a very personal experience. A few years ago, a close family member needed advanced treatment options, and I found myself navigating the complex world of clinical trials on their behalf. It was a frustrating and eye-opening process—eligibility criteria were confusing, information was scattered, and finding the right study felt nearly impossible.

I kept thinking, “If I’m struggling with this, even with a background in tech and healthcare consulting, how must others feel?” That experience became the driving force behind AllClinicalTrials.com. I wanted to create a platform that simplifies the process, making it easier for people to find, understand, and enroll in studies that could genuinely impact their lives. My goal was to remove the barriers to access and bridge the gap between patients and the research that needs them.

Having seen both sides of the process, I’m passionate about using technology to connect people with life-changing opportunities in clinical research.

Your background in consulting for top pharma companies must have given you a unique perspective. How did that experience shape your approach to creating AllClinicalTrials.com?

My consulting experience with top pharma companies gave me a unique, inside view of the challenges in clinical trials recruitment and patient engagement. I saw how complex the recruitment process was from the researcher’s side—there are strict criteria, regulatory demands, and often a lack of direct patient connection. This experience helped me understand both the technical and logistical hurdles that make it difficult for pharma companies to find the right participants.

When creating AllClinicalTrials.com, I wanted to bridge this gap. I knew from consulting that pharma companies are eager for solutions that can streamline recruitment and improve patient engagement. This insight led me to design the platform not just as a directory but as a tool that simplifies eligibility, clarifies information, and directly connects patients with studies. My goal was to make clinical trials more accessible for patients while also supporting the recruitment needs of researchers. This dual perspective—understanding both patient struggles and industry challenges—has been essential in shaping a platform that works for everyone involved.

You've mentioned the difficulty of navigating clinical trial information firsthand. What was the most significant 'aha' moment for you when you realized the extent of this problem for patients?

The biggest “aha” moment came when I was helping a family member find clinical trials and realized just how inaccessible the information was. I remember spending hours combing through databases, only to find that many trials didn’t provide clear eligibility criteria or had outdated contact information. At one point, after following a trail of links and documents, we discovered that my family member didn’t even qualify for a study we’d spent days researching because of the outdated info on ClinicalTrials.gov.

The worst part? 70% of all studies we've contacted on ClinicalTrials.gov have never responded to us. That’s when it hit me—if I, with a background in tech and healthcare, was struggling to make sense of it, how overwhelming must this be for patients without that experience? It was a real wake-up call that clinical trials needed to be more accessible and patient-centered.

This frustration became the foundation of AllClinicalTrials.com: I wanted to create a tool that removed these barriers so people could quickly find the information they needed without the endless runaround.

One of the key features of AllClinicalTrials.com is simplifying complex medical jargon for patients. Can you share an example of how you've successfully made trial information easier to understand for someone without a medical background?

At AllClinicalTrials.com, we use a combination of AI and supervision by medical writers to provide simplified, patient-friendly descriptions of clinical studies. For example, eligibility criteria often include terms like “contraindications” or “exclusion criteria,” which can be confusing for someone without a medical background.

Our AI helps generate initial simplified language, which our medical writers then review and refine to ensure clarity and accuracy. This approach allows us to transform complex medical jargon into straightforward language, like “Who can join this study” and “Who this study is not suitable for.” It’s helped patients quickly understand if a study is right for them without spending hours trying to decode medical terms. Feedback has shown us that this combination of AI and expert review is making clinical trials far more accessible for patients.

You've emphasized the importance of user feedback in refining AllClinicalTrials.com. Can you describe a time when user feedback led to a significant change or improvement on the platform?

We place a huge emphasis on user feedback at AllClinicalTrials.com, conducting weekly interviews with 5-10 participants to better understand their needs. One of the most impactful ideas we've recently discovered through these sessions is a feature to show whether a study is responsive or not. A participant suggested that it would be helpful to know if a study has a history of responding quickly.

Inspired by this feedback, we're now exploring a crowd-sourced system where users could see alerts about response times—similar to how Waze flags a stopped car on the highway. For instance, studies that have responded to previous inquiries within 24 hours could be marked to help users prioritize them, while those that haven't responded in over a week could carry a different indicator. This idea has real potential to improve the user experience, helping participants focus on studies more likely to engage with them promptly.

Data analytics plays a crucial role in understanding user behavior. What's one surprising insight you've gained from data analysis on AllClinicalTrials.com, and how has it influenced your strategy?

Data analytics and user research revealed a surprising insight: people wanted to see if they qualified for a study without needing to contact the study team directly. In response, we added a simple survey-screener based on each study’s eligibility criteria. Now, participants can quickly assess their fit by answering a few questions, saving them time if they don’t qualify. This also benefits researchers, who receive inquiries from pre-screened participants, making recruitment more efficient. This feature, driven entirely by data analytics and user feedback, has significantly improved the experience for both users and researchers.

Many people facing health challenges may be hesitant to participate in clinical trials. What advice would you give to someone who is considering participating but feels unsure or overwhelmed?

If you're considering a clinical trial but feeling hesitant or overwhelmed, know that it's normal to have questions and concerns. Start by learning as much as you can about the study. Reach out to the research team and ask them to explain the process, the purpose of the trial, and any potential risks or benefits in simple terms. Don't be afraid to ask anything—good research teams will be open and supportive.

Also, talk to your doctor or someone you trust about the decision. They can help you weigh the pros and cons based on your personal health situation. Clinical trials aren't just about contributing to science; they can sometimes offer access to new treatments that aren't yet widely available. Take it one step at a time, ask for support, and remember that you're in control. If it feels right, a trial can be an empowering way to take an active role in your health journey.

AllClinicalTrials.com bridges the gap between researchers and patients. What's your vision for the future of clinical trial recruitment, and how do you see AllClinicalTrials.com contributing to that vision?

My vision for the future of clinical trial recruitment is a world where finding and joining a clinical study is as easy as booking a doctor’s appointment. I see a future where patients are fully informed, empowered, and supported throughout the recruitment process, with no barriers to understanding if they qualify or accessing necessary information.

With AllClinicalTrials.com, our goal is to bridge the gap between researchers and patients by making trials more accessible and transparent. We’re creating a platform where patients can quickly understand their eligibility, receive prompt responses, and feel confident in the process. By using AI and data-driven insights, we aim to refine recruitment further, ensuring that researchers find qualified participants faster and patients have a clear, seamless path to new treatments and research opportunities. Ultimately, I see AllClinicalTrials.com becoming a trusted link in the healthcare ecosystem, helping clinical trials reach more diverse populations and accelerating medical progress for everyone.

Looking back on your journey with AllClinicalTrials.com, what advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly those in the healthcare space, who are passionate about making a difference?

My biggest advice to aspiring healthcare entrepreneurs is this: talk to your users and focus on the problem, not the solution. In healthcare, it’s easy to get caught up in regulations and compliance, and while these are essential, they shouldn’t be your starting point. Start by deeply understanding the people you’re trying to help. Talk to them, listen to their frustrations, and identify the real problem they’re facing.

When we started AllClinicalTrials.com, it was tempting to jump straight into building a solution. But by talking to potential users first, we learned what truly mattered to them, like simplified eligibility and responsive communication from study teams. Regulations will always be there, but keeping a focus on the user’s needs will guide you to solutions that not only comply but actually make a difference.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge and expertise. Is there anything else you'd like to add?

Thank you for the opportunity to share! I'd just add that for anyone building something in health care—or any field where people are at the center—always keep your focus on the human experience. Technology, regulations, and data are all crucial, but at the end of the day, it's about making a real impact on people's lives. Keep listening, keep learning, and don't be afraid to adjust course based on feedback. That's where the real value is created.