Privacy Policy

1. Introduction and Scope

Welcome to Echelon Clinical Research ("Echelon," "we," "us," or "our"). We recognize the critical importance of privacy and the sensitivity of the personal and health information you entrust to us.

This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, protect, and disclose your information. By accessing our website, submitting your information, or engaging with our services, you expressly acknowledge and agree to the terms described herein.

Important Notice: Echelon Clinical Research operates strictly as a Digital Clinical Brokerage Agency. We are an intermediary connecting potential study participants with third-party clinical research sites and Principal Investigators. We are not a medical provider, we do not conduct clinical trials, and we do not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

2. Information We Collect

To facilitate the matching process between you and potential clinical research studies, we collect various types of information:

Personal Identification Information (PII): Name, date of birth, gender, address, email address, phone number.

Protected Health Information (PHI): Medical history, current medications, diagnosed conditions, and other health-related data necessary for pre-screening eligibility.

Technical Data: IP address, browser type, and device information when you access our digital platforms.

3. How We Use Your Information (The "Matching" Definition)

We use your data solely for business purposes related to identifying eligibility for research. By submitting your data, you authorize us to screen your profile against our database of current and future opportunities.

"Research Opportunities" & "Matching Opportunities" Defined: For the purposes of this Privacy Policy and your consent, the terms "Research Opportunities" and "Matching Opportunities" are defined broadly to include, but are not limited to:

Interventional Clinical Trials: Studies involving investigational drugs, treatments, or medical devices.

Observational Studies: Research that monitors health outcomes without medical intervention.

Biospecimen Collection: Studies requiring the donation of biological samples (e.g., blood, saliva, tissue) for research purposes.

Medical Surveys & Data Registries: Paid or unpaid participation in health-related data collection.

Broad Scope of Consent: By joining our registry, you agree to be contacted not only for the specific study you initially applied for but for any future Research Opportunities (as defined above) that Echelon deems relevant to your profile.

4. Communication Consents & AI Disclosure

By providing your contact information and checking the consent box, you provide your express written consent to the following communication practices:

4.1 Omni-Channel Communication

To ensure you do not miss time-sensitive study opportunities, you agree to receive communications from Echelon and our authorized partners via:

Email

Telephone calls

SMS/Text Messages

WhatsApp and other messaging applications

4.2 Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Automated Technologies

To facilitate rapid processing of your application and faster matching, you explicitly acknowledge and consent to Echelon’s use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automated technologies. You understand and agree that:

AI Voice Agents: You may receive calls from automated systems utilizing synthetic or AI-generated voices to conduct pre-screening interviews, verify details, or provide appointment reminders.

Conversational AI: You may interact with automated chatbots via SMS, WhatsApp, or our website to gather screening data.

Automated Dialing Systems: We may use automatic telephone dialing systems (ATDS) to initiate contact efficiently.

No Human Intervention: You acknowledge that initial interactions, screening, and scheduling may be conducted entirely by AI agents.

Note: Consent to receive automated marketing calls/texts is not a condition of purchasing any goods or services, as Echelon does not sell goods to participants.

5. Data Sharing and Disclosure

5.1 No Sale of Data

We do not sell, rent, or trade your Personal Information or PHI to third-party advertisers, data brokers, or marketing firms. Your data is not treated as a commodity.

5.2 Authorized Sharing (The "Match")

Your information is shared strictly on a "Need-to-Know" basis. We will only transfer your relevant Personal Information and PHI to a third-party Clinical Research Site, Hospital, Biospecimen Center, or Principal Investigator when:

Our pre-screening process indicates you may be a viable candidate for their study.

The transfer is necessary to facilitate the scheduling of an onsite screening or medical evaluation.

5.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in the good-faith belief that such action is necessary to comply with state and federal laws (such as HIPAA or FCC regulations) or to respond to a court order, judicial, or other government subpoena.

6. HIPAA Compliance and Data Security

6.1 HIPAA Standards

Although Echelon acts as a brokerage, we adhere to the standards set forth by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regarding the security and privacy of Protected Health Information (PHI). We utilize administrative, physical, and technical safeguards designed to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of your PHI.

6.2 Security Measures

We implement industry-standard security protocols, including:

Encryption: Data is encrypted in transit and at rest.

Access Control: Strict role-based access to data for internal employees.

Audit Trails: Monitoring of data access and transfer.

While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your information, no method of transmission over the Internet is 100% secure.

7. Liability Disclaimer (Brokerage Only)

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:

No Medical Services: Echelon Clinical Research is a recruitment and matching agency. We do not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. No interaction with Echelon or our AI agents should be interpreted as medical advice.

Third-Party Liability: We are not responsible for the actions, omissions, medical protocols, or safety of the Clinical Research Sites, Biospecimen Centers, or Principal Investigators to whom we connect you. Once your data is transferred to a research site, their privacy policy and medical practices govern your relationship with them.

Study Outcomes: We do not guarantee eligibility for any specific study, nor do we guarantee the safety, efficacy, or outcome of participating in any clinical trial or sample collection.

Indemnification: You agree to hold Echelon Clinical Research harmless from any claims, damages, or liabilities arising from your participation in a clinical trial or your medical treatment at a third-party site.

8. Voluntary Participation and Opt-Out

8.1 Voluntary Nature

Participation in our registry is 100% voluntary. You are under no obligation to apply for or participate in any study presented to you.

8.2 Revocation of Consent (Opt-Out)

You retain the right to revoke your consent and request the deletion of your data from our registry at any time.

To Opt-Out of Texts: Reply "STOP" to any SMS or WhatsApp message you receive from us.

To Opt-Out of Calls: Request to be placed on our internal "Do Not Call" list during a call, or email us.

To Delete Data: Submit a formal request to [support@echelonstudies.com] to have your profile removed from our database.

9. Children’s Privacy

Our services are generally intended for individuals over the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18 without verified parental or legal guardian consent. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information without your consent, please contact us immediately.

10. Contact Us

If you have questions regarding this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your data rights, please contact our Compliance Officer at:

Echelon Clinical Research [support@echelonstudies.com] [Insert Phone Number]