SCOPE Summit 2026: Reducing Patient Burden Is the Foundation of Wearable Success in Oncology

In a recent video interview with Applied Clinical Trials at the 2026 SCOPE Summit, Jeremy Wyatt, CEO, Ametris, outlined the operational realities of integrating digital endpoints and wearables into clinical trials, with a particular focus on oncology. Wyatt emphasized that successful adoption hinged on reducing patient burden through thoughtful workflow design, careful device selection, and robust global logistics. He explained how continuous, real-world digital measures improved sensitivity, enhanced patient centricity, and increased trial efficiency, while also enabling fewer clinic visits and, in some cases, smaller sample sizes. Wyatt also stressed the importance of early and ongoing collaboration with regulators to support co-development, reduce adoption risk, and establish consistent validation standards that allowed digital endpoints to scale across programs. Clear communication with sites and patients, he noted, was essential to driving adherence and maximizing the value of these technologies.

Editor's note: This transcript is a lightly edited rendering of the original audio/video content. It may contain errors, informal language, or omissions as spoken in the original recording.

ACT: What are some operational best practices in integrating wearables into oncology trials that the industry should absolutely know about?

Wyatt: That’s a great question. Oncology trials come with unique challenges, and it’s critical to remember that these patients are often dealing with comorbidities, pain, and significant physical and emotional burden. From an operational standpoint, the priority has to be workflow design that reduces patient burden wherever possible.

When we’re collecting real-world data using wearables, sensors, or other technologies, the technology itself should never get in the way. Patients shouldn’t have to think about battery life, recharging devices, or remembering to turn something on or off. Those frictions need to be eliminated.

Device selection is key. If we’re going to collect digital measures in oncology—or any patient population—we need to choose products that are patient-friendly, low burden, easy to use, and fit for the endpoint we’re trying to measure. Data quality also has to be considered early. How do we handle missing data? How do we clean it? How do we integrate it with the broader evidence package so it’s ready when needed?

Logistics are another critical factor, especially in large, global oncology trials. Repairs, replacements, troubleshooting, and global site support all need to be rock solid. And finally, partnership matters. Sponsors need to involve digital endpoint vendors early in protocol planning to ensure the measurement strategy is fit for purpose from the beginning—not added as an afterthought.

I’d like to add one more point related to oncology patients. There’s a publication from Johnson & Johnson on the LIBERTAS study that’s worth reviewing. It highlights the importance of sites clearly understanding how the technology is used and communicating that effectively to patients.

When patients understand the technology, why it’s being used, and how it fits into their care, adoption and adherence improve dramatically. We’ve seen this consistently across large oncology studies. The same applies to sites and sponsors—clear communication and understanding drive better outcomes across the board.