Amgen joined healthcare leaders, policymakers, and innovators at the 2025 Milken Institute Future of Health Summit to discuss the future of health and research.
Amgen's Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Paul Burton, participated in a panel on “Enabling Community-Based Research through Policy and Practice Change,” where he shared insights on the challenges of simplifying clinical trials and ensuring broader participation in research. Dr. Burton highlighted how overly complex protocols and the traditional clinical research model can create barriers for patients, particularly those outside of major medical centers. “We need to make research easier for both patients and investigators,” Dr. Burton emphasized. His remarks underscored the need to rethink clinical trial design and embrace more patient-friendly, flexible models—especially for historically underserved communities.
Amgen's commitment to addressing these challenges is reflected in its ongoing initiatives, such as ROOTED™ and the Representation in Clinical Research (RISE) team. ROOTED™ is Amgen's community-based engagement initiative that partners with local organizations to increase health awareness, build trust, and expand access to clinical research. Through culturally informed outreach, education, and collaborative events, ROOTED helps empower communities to better understand and participate in clinical studies that reflect their needs. RISE aims to improve the representation of clinical study participants, ensuring that research outcomes reflect the needs of diverse populations. These programs align with Amgen's goal of getting more effective and equitable treatments for all patients.
During the summit, Kevin Bugin, Amgen's AVP of Global Regulatory Policy and Intelligence, moderated a roundtable focused on modernizing the regulatory and operational frameworks that support clinical research. The discussion centered on the importance of aligning tools and policies across agencies like the FDA, NIH, and CMS to streamline clinical trial processes. Bugin emphasized that sometimes progress can be made by better utilizing existing regulatory flexibility, rather than waiting for new regulations to be introduced. This pragmatic approach to policy innovation is crucial for accelerating the pace of research and improving patient access to clinical trials.
Amgen's participation in the Milken Future of Health Summit highlights the company's ongoing commitment to improving clinical research. By focusing on simplifying trial protocols, fostering trust within underserved communities, and advocating for regulatory innovation, Amgen is helping pave the way for a more inclusive, patient-centered approach to healthcare. As Dr. Burton noted, “We can build a system that truly works for everyone if we simplify, collaborate, and meet patients where they are.”
