You have questions? We have answers.
Learn how our platform works, what to expect, and how you're protected every step of the way.
You have questions? We have answers.
Learn how our platform works, what to expect, and how you're protected every step of the way.
Frequently asked questions.
About our platform.
Click here to sign up and create an account on our platform and share your health data. You can then review open studies and request enrollment in any study that interests you.
It’s easy to join a study. Once you have signed up and shared your health data, navigate to any study and select “learn more” to see the study details. Once you’ve reviewed the study criteria, you can request enrollment via the “request enrollment” button.
Please login to your account and go to your account profile. You can change your study preferences or data sharing preferences at any time.
Right now, only individuals in the United States can sign up for studies on our platform. But do check back here in the future because we’re expanding!
General study.
Initially, our platform supports biospecimen collection studies, real world data studies (i.e. data sharing) and surveys. In the future, it will also support clinical trial recruitment, focus groups, and even marketing / advertising studies. You always have the right to select what types of studies you are interested in learning about.
No, your specimens and health data are de-identified when they are sent to researchers so they have no way of identifying you. Therefore, they cannot share any research or test results with you.
There is never a charge to you for participating in our research studies and you never need insurance. All costs are paid for by the research sponsor.
We support research projects all throughout the United States so chances are, you can participate as long as you live in the US.
Biospecimen collection.
Researchers need all types of specimens, including blood, urine, stool, cheek swabs, nasal swabs, hair, nails, skin scrapings or tapings, and other specimens that are easy to collect in your home.
Your specimens are used by verified research institutions, pharmaceutical companies, or diagnostic companies working on understanding diseases and on the development of new drugs or tests.
We provide everything you need. If you’re participating in a blood collection, we will send a trained phlebotomist (a professional who collects blood samples) to your home or other location of your choice. If you’re participating in a specimen collection that you can do yourself, we will send you specimen collection kits with clear instructions about how to use them.
Specimens can be collected at your home in about 10 minutes.
Unless otherwise specified in research requirements, no preparations are required prior to your specimen collection.
Please email hello@joined.bio or call us at 978-219-4496 at least 24 hours before your appointment to cancel or reschedule it. In the future, you will have the ability to cancel or reschedule collections yourself in our app.
Participation frequency varies by sample type and study requirements. Our process ensures safe intervals between collections.
Privacy and security.
Your privacy is a primary concern. We keep your data secure and private following HIPAA standards. Your health information is stored without personal details, reducing the risk of being re-identified. Learn more about how we protect your data here.
No. Researchers only receive de-identified data and / or specimens. Your name, address, and other identifying information are never shared with researchers. Additionally, research organizations legally agree to never try to re-identify you.
Only authorized Joined Bio staff can see your identifiable health information, and only when necessary to match you to studies or process your participation.
Yes. You can request deletion of your account and personal information at any time through your account dashboard.
We use your health data to match you to relevant research studies and to provide de-identified data to researchers for approved studies you’ve consented to join.
Never. Your participation is completely private and never shared with insurance companies, employers, or other third parties.
We maintain your personal identifying information as long as you have an active account with us and you may request its deletion at any time. De-identified data that has been provided as part of a research study may be retained indefinitely.
Quality and compliance.
Our team reviews every research project and organization before adding them to our platform to ensure they meet our quality and ethics standards. We only work with established research institutions, pharmaceutical companies, and biotech firms with proven track records.
Every research project on our platform must meet strict ethical and regulatory standards before we allow patient participation:
- Institutional Review Board (IRB) Approval: All studies require approval from independent ethics committees that review research protocols to ensure participant safety and rights are protected.
- Regulatory Compliance: Studies must comply with FDA, NIH, and other relevant regulatory requirements depending on the research type.
- Informed Consent: You’ll always receive clear, detailed information about what the study involves, any risks or benefits, and how your data will be used before you decide to participate.
Contact.
Please use the following email addresses to contact us:
- General participant questions: hello@joined.bio
- To change an appointment: hello@joined.bio
- Technology questions: techsupport@joined.bio
- Compliance questions: privacy@joined.bio
- Researcher questions: customersupport@joined.bio