Why Real-Time Data Visibility Is Essential for Biotech Clinical Trials

In a recent video interview with Applied Clinical Trials, Luke Wilson, senior director, biotech, pharma services, Thermo Fisher Scientific, discussed the role of data visibility in clinical trials, emphasizing the need for actionable data to meet aggressive timelines and budgets. Remote monitoring is crucial for quick decision-making and patient safety, reducing site burdens and leveraging advanced technology. Integrated systems help study sponsors meet evolving regulatory expectations by removing data silos and streamlining inspection processes. Barriers to real-time trial oversight include data silos and the need for integrated systems. Best practices for decentralized trials include unified data management, clear SOPs, and governance pathways to ensure operational alignment and regulatory compliance.

ACT: Why has data visibility become such a critical driver of efficiency and oversight in modern clinical trials, especially for biotechs?

Wilson: I think for biotechs, typically what we're seeing now—and probably now, more than ever—is they have fantastic products that they've developed. They have very aggressive timelines, and they have budgets that they need to adhere to. The way that we think about data and how it enables biotech and enables the industry is, if you think about partnerships and multiple suppliers in the supply chain, the more data they can provide to the biotech, the more actionable data. It means that they can, live, make decisions that will help them accelerate their timelines, and conduct a successful clinical trial, but also keep the patient safe within the trial as well. At Thermo Fisher Scientific, the way we're addressing this is with our accelerated drug development program, where we're combining CDMO and CRO services. That means you have consistency across the supply chain, and single data sources that we can provide to our biotech partners.