In today’s ACT Brief, we examine how AI is moving into continuous clinical operating models, how trust is built into oncology real-world evidence, and how the FDA approved a self-administered option for thyroid eye disease.
News|Podcasts|September 29, 2026
ACT Brief: Trial Simulations and Protocol Risk, RBQM Financial Value Quantified, and Three Drug Approvals
Author(s)Andy Studna, Senior Editor
In today's ACT Brief, we examine what AI simulations surface in trial design, how RBQM delivers measurable financial returns, and three new FDA-approved treatments across hair loss, movement disorder, and bone disease.
This is the Applied Clinical Trials Brief—your fast track to the latest insights shaping clinical operations and drug development.
- In
part two of her interview , Claire Riches, VP of clinical solutions at Citeline, walks through the categories of hidden protocol risk that AI-driven simulations can identify. From overly restrictive eligibility criteria to patient dropout patterns and structural trial assumptions, simulations surface design flaws that traditional planning misses and reveal options for strengthening trial feasibility before enrollment begins. - In a
new Q&A , Sylviane de Viron and Abigail Dirks of Tufts CSDD discussed findings from a collaborative study quantifying the financial value of RBQM, finding time savings emerged as the largest driver. Sponsors now have empirical evidence they lacked before, which combined with ICH E6(R3) regulatory support, gives them the tools needed to build the multi-functional buy-in required for successful adoption and scale across trial portfolios. - The
FDA approved three treatments this week : Eli Lilly's Olumiant for adolescent hair loss, AbbVie's Juvmo for movement disorder, and Mirum Pharmaceuticals' treatment for a rare bone disease. The hair-loss treatment achieved 80% or more hair coverage in 42% of adolescent patients at 36 weeks versus 5% on placebo, while the movement-disorder drug delayed the need for dose escalation in 94% of patients over 85 weeks of treatment.
That's all for today's ACT Brief. Join us tomorrow for more updates shaping clinical operations and drug development. Thanks for listening.
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