ACT Brief: AI Innovations, Vision Trial Breakthroughs, and a Major Industry Acquisition

This is the Applied Clinical Trials Brief—your fast track to the latest insights in clinical research operations.

In under three minutes, we’ll recap top stories, highlight expert perspectives, and keep you current on what’s moving the industry. Let’s get into it.

On today’s episode, we’re revisiting key takeaways from SCOPE Summit 2025, breaking down new Phase III ophthalmology data from Genentech, and highlighting a major acquisition that’s reshaping how science connects with patient care.

We begin with a look back at SCOPE Summit 2025, where artificial intelligence and pragmatic trial design dominated discussion. Rajneesh Patil described how AI and machine learning are transforming risk management—from optimizing site and patient selection to automating pharmacovigilance workflows. Drew Garty of Veeva emphasized that pragmatic trials can help close the gap between controlled research and real-world treatment by simplifying protocols, reducing patient burden, and speeding adoption of new therapies. Together, these insights underscore a future defined by smarter, more adaptive, and patient-centric trial models.

Next, Genentech reported strong late-stage results for vamikibart, a first-in-class IL-6–targeted antibody for uveitic macular edema. At the American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting, the company presented data from its Phase III MEERKAT and SANDCAT trials showing statistically significant gains in visual acuity, rapid reductions in macular thickness, and a favorable safety profile. Investigators say the results position vamikibart as a potential first non-steroid targeted therapy for this serious inflammatory eye condition, marking a major step forward in ophthalmic drug development.

Finally, in a major business development update from our sister publication Pharmaceutical Executive, MJH Life Sciences has acquired BPD Healthcare. MJH CEO Michael J. Hennessy Jr. and BPD CEO Jason Brown say the partnership will align BPD’s data-driven healthcare marketing capabilities with MJH’s extensive content and clinical network. The goal: bridging the gap between scientific discovery and healthcare delivery to improve measurable patient outcomes.

That’s all for today’s ACT Brief. Join us tomorrow for more insights shaping the future of clinical operations and drug development. Thanks for listening.