Equity Evidence as Asset Value: Why Life Sciences Needs Better Data From Underserved Populations
- 5 hours ago
- 2 min read
Life sciences companies are operating in a period when expectations for evidence are changing. Regulatory, commercial, clinical, and investment stakeholders are asking a more direct question: Does the evidence behind an asset reflect the populations most affected by the disease?
That question is becoming more important as the industry invests in artificial intelligence, real-world evidence, decentralized research models, and more inclusive trial strategies. Deloitte’s 2026 life sciences outlook found that 48% of surveyed executives cite digital and AI as a strategic influence, while 78% expect AI to drive major efficiency change across the sector (Deloitte). At the same time, FDA guidance continues to emphasize the importance of diversity action planning and more representative enrollment in clinical studies (FDA).
At Rubix LS, we believe this creates a new strategic category: equity evidence as asset value. The idea is simple, but underdeveloped in much of the industry conversation. Evidence from underserved populations should not be treated only as a compliance requirement or a late-stage access consideration. It should be treated as a core component of asset strategy, from early evidence planning through post-market evidence generation.
This matters because many high-burden disease areas are also areas where the evidence base remains incomplete. Sickle Cell Disease has a disproportionate impact on Black patients in the United States, with CDC surveillance reporting birth prevalence of 1 in 350 among non-Hispanic Black newborns across participating states (CDC MMWR). Chronic Kidney Disease affects an estimated 35.5 million U.S. adults and is more common among non-Hispanic Black adults than non-Hispanic White adults (CDC). Diabetes affects 40.1 million people in the United States, with persistent disparities across race, ethnicity, geography, and income (CDC).
These are not only public health issues. They are evidence issues, access issues, and asset value issues.
Our new white paper, Equity Evidence as Asset Value, explores how life sciences organizations can strengthen asset strategy by building stronger disease-specific evidence in underserved populations. The paper looks at market signals from the Big 4 consulting firms, regulatory movement around diversity and real-world evidence, and the disease-specific opportunity to build more useful evidence in areas where unmet need remains high.
This May, Rubix LS is applying this lens across four disease areas:
Sickle Cell Disease
Chronic Kidney Disease
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Type 2 Diabetes
Each disease area presents a different evidence challenge. Some require a better community-rooted trial design. Some require stronger real-world datasets. Some require a more precise understanding of access barriers, disease burden, and longitudinal outcomes. Across all four, the opportunity is the same: better evidence can help the industry understand patients more accurately, design research more responsibly, and make stronger decisions across the asset lifecycle.
Download the white paper
Equity Evidence as Asset Value: Why Disease-Specific Evidence in Underserved Populations Is Becoming a Strategic Priority for Life Sciences Companies
Rubix LS will continue this series throughout May with disease-specific perspectives on Sickle Cell Disease, Chronic Kidney Disease, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, and Type 2 Diabetes.