Spencer Group’s CEO, Julian Minett, Shares Insights from DIA 2023 Event: AI, Diversity, and Patient Centricity at the Forefront
The DIA Global 2023 conference in Boston this year didn’t disappoint. With AI, diversity, patient centricity and DCT at the forefront of the session, from the plenary to the closing town hall, it was definitely an interesting conference with many takeaways to be had.
AI
A primary topic of conversation was AI, or Artificial Intelligence. It’s been recognised as a significant and transformative opportunity, with immediate practical applications in creating digital co-pilots. Leveraging the inherent language capabilities of large language models (LLMs), AI has already proven effective at driving administrative efficiency and streamlining operations. Machine learning (ML) is also already being used to identify and help enrol more diverse patient populations, paving the way for more inclusive and representative healthcare practices. There appears to be a real belief that AI could produce faster and more precise diagnosis, reduce errors, improve treatment outcomes and democratise access to medical expertise.
The negative aspects of AI were also explored, highlighting the necessity for additional advancements to effectively utilise AI in the analysis of chemical and biological data. One major concern raised was the need for transparency regarding the specific data employed to train AI systems. Issues related to data privacy, potential biases in training, ethical standards and the regulation and scientific treatment of AI validation were also mentioned. In order to address these concerns and ensure the responsible and ethical use of AI, it is crucial to establish clear guidelines and protocols.
With the industry taking both positives and negatives into consideration, it is clear that the field is keen on exploring the applications of AI and machine learning (AI/ML) in eClinical and Pharmatech. However, as with all eClinical/Pharmatech developments, we feel this will be evolutionary and not revolutionary.
Patient Centricity
Patient centricity was another resounding theme throughout the conference, highlighting the industry’s dedication to placing patients at the heart of healthcare. Discussions revolved around designing patient-centric solutions, enhancing patient engagement and incorporating patient preferences and feedback into research and development processes. The conference provided valuable insights into creating a healthcare system that truly prioritises and meets the needs of patients.
Democratisation
Another important theme of the event was the need to improve the diversification of clinical trial participation. Data revealed a significant underrepresentation of Black Americans, Hispanic and Indigenous populations in US clinical trials, which are predominantly composed of white patients (around c. 80%). This disparity has clinical implications, as it affects the ability to provide appropriate treatments for diverse ethnic groups. The sessions discussing AI and demographic distribution were well-attended, with participants exploring ways to address these challenges and support necessary changes.
Decentralised Clinical Trials (DCT)
Finally, the increasing importance of decentralised clinical trials (DCT) highlighted the industry’s dedication to enhancing research methodologies and patient involvement in clinical trials. Interestingly, despite some disillusionment within the sector due to past experiences such as the challenges faced during the Covid pandemic, the conference emphasised the continued patient demand for the development of DCT. The biopharmaceutical market recognises that the current solutions might not have fully addressed this crucial evolution in clinical trial development yet.
Conclusion
Overall, the DIA Global 2023 conference proved to be a successful gathering of thought leaders, fuelling inspiration and driving meaningful conversations within clinical development, eClinical and wider regulatory areas. It will be interesting to see if the collective knowledge, expertise and enthusiasm shared during the event will continue to resonate, driving positive change and advancement in the eClinical field or not. It will also be good to see whether AI will deliver meaningful impact and, if so, where in the development process.
It’s certainly a very interesting time to be in Pharmatech.
