Real-World Evidence Without Data Ownership: How CROs Compete on Execution

The growing role of real-world evidence (RWE) across research, development, and decision-making has provided new opportunities for contract research organizations (CROs) operating in this space. However, the market of CROs delivering RWE is structurally unequal. With the notable exception organizations with proprietary data assets such as IQVIA, most CROs do not own large-scale proprietary healthcare… Continue reading Real-World Evidence Without Data Ownership: How CROs Compete on Execution

Using Real-World Data to Drive Precision Nutrition for Endurance Athletes

In Endurance Sports, Nutrition Is Not Advice, It’s an Intervention   From Endurance Sport to Precision Nutrition   Not many people who know me as a Real World Data professional in pharma are aware that I also run a side activity in precision nutrition for endurance athletes. This work began naturally, driven by my personal… Continue reading Using Real-World Data to Drive Precision Nutrition for Endurance Athletes

Operational Challenges of Conducting RWD Studies in China

by Monique Samuels     The use of real-world data (RWD) is growing across the industry and is increasingly encouraged by regulatory agencies worldwide. RWD can provide insights into patient populations, treatment patterns, and outcomes outside of controlled clinical trials. China, with its large and diverse patient population, offers an important opportunity for global evidence… Continue reading Operational Challenges of Conducting RWD Studies in China

Regulatory Insights from FDA Review of the External Control Arm in a Pediatric Rare Disease Trial

The approval of eflornithine (brand name Iwilfin) for pediatric high-risk neuroblastoma offers an interesting example of how the FDA evaluates single-arm trials supported by external control arms (ECAs). External controls are increasingly common in oncology and rare disease drug development, but they remain a source of careful regulatory scrutiny. In this case, the FDA’s assessment… Continue reading Regulatory Insights from FDA Review of the External Control Arm in a Pediatric Rare Disease Trial

The Expanding Role of Epidemiology in Modern Real-World Data Research

When observational retrospective research began to be used more systematically more than twenty years ago, the real-world data (RWD) landscape was relatively simpler. Not necessarily easier, but simpler. A limited number of large administrative and clinical databases dominated the field. Claims databases, national registries and a handful of electronic medical record (EMR) sources were directing… Continue reading The Expanding Role of Epidemiology in Modern Real-World Data Research