In this video interview, Rachael Higgins, chief commercial officer, PicnicHealth, discusses industry’s next steps in being able to maximize the benefits of virtual models.
In a recent video interview with Applied Clinical Trials, Rachael Higgins, chief commercial officer, PicnicHealth, discussed the company’s recently released 2025 Annual State of Observational Research Report. She highlighted some of the key findings including the persistence of more traditional research methods as well as how patient retention and incomplete data are creating challenges for the industry.
ACT: Looking forward, what do you think are the next steps for industry in closing the gap between the need for technology innovation and actually being able to execute with it?
Higgins: I think it all is going to come down to education and getting our customers comfortable with how new models actually work. It is embracing new technologies that are out there, perhaps it's doing a pilot or doing a softer launch of it, but that way to be able to see that. Number one, it's really not that scary. Number one, it's going to solve your data depth issue, it's going to solve your patient retention issue, it's going to solve your budget issues, just giving it a test trial, if you will. I think that that really is the only way that we're going to be able to do it. When I looked at the results of this report, I saw that 61% of them are already using some type of virtual model in AI, and to me, that's a huge opportunity, because, there's 40 something percent of them that haven't, but I think it's because they truly don't understand what they are, but being open to that, really understanding that there isn't just one way to do things, there are so many other ways to do that, to do what it is to get to your final outcome. Then also, I think, working with regulators, so that regulators become more and more comfortable with the ability to leverage AI and some of the other technologies to get to those endpoints as quickly as possible, to again bring medicines to patients, which is what we're looking to do.
Putting Collective Insights Into Action to Advance Cancer Care: Key Examples From ASCO 2025
June 27th 2025At ASCO 2025, clinical operations leaders gained critical insights into how AI tools, bispecific antibodies, and evolving treatment paradigms are reshaping trial design, endpoint selection, and patient stratification.
Unifying Industry to Better Understand GCP Guidance
May 7th 2025In this episode of the Applied Clinical Trials Podcast, David Nickerson, head of clinical quality management at EMD Serono; and Arlene Lee, director of product management, data quality & risk management solutions at Medidata, discuss the newest ICH E6(R3) GCP guidelines as well as how TransCelerate and ACRO have partnered to help stakeholders better acclimate to these guidelines.
Improving Relationships and Diversifying the Site Selection Process
April 17th 2025In this episode of the Applied Clinical Trials Podcast, Liz Beatty, co-founder and chief strategy officer, Inato, discusses a number of topics around site engagement including community-based sites, the role of technology in improving site/sponsor relationships, how increased operational costs are impacting the industry, and more.
Beyond the Molecule: How Human-Centered Design Unlocks AI's Promise in Pharma
June 23rd 2025How human-centered AI that is focused on customer, user, and employee experience can drive real transformation in clinical trials and beyond by aligning intelligent technologies with the people who use them.
2025 DIA Annual Meeting: Why AI and Automation Are Set to Become the New Normal in Clinical Research
June 20th 2025Peter Ronco, CEO, Emmes, shares his long-term vision for artificial intelligence in clinical research, from making automation routine to improving drug discovery, transforming regulatory oversight, reducing animal testing, and promoting ethical, equitable data use worldwide.