Pharma Pulse 7/29/25: Rethinking Oncology Trials with a Statistical Methodology That Puts Patients First; How Can Real World Data and AI Help Solve Issues with Clinical Trials?

Rethinking Oncology Trials with a Statistical Methodology That Puts Patients First

In an interview with Applied Clinical Trials, experts discussed how the Net Treatment Benefit statistical methodology—rooted in generalized pairwise comparisons—is helping reshape oncology trial design by prioritizing patient-centered outcomes such as quality of life and toxicity alongside survival, enabling more holistic, efficient, and meaningful evaluations of cancer treatments.

How Can Real World Data and AI Help Solve Issues with Clinical Trials?

In an interview with Pharmaceutical Executive, Gen Li, president and founder of Phesi, explained how real-world data and AI—particularly through digital patient profiles and digital twins—can help pharmaceutical companies reduce Phase III trial failures by improving protocol design, optimizing site selection and patient recruitment, and eventually enabling the replacement of control arms, though full implementation may still be a few years away.

Thriving Amid Change: A Guide for Independent Specialty Pharmacies Considering Strategic Partnerships or Sale

Independent specialty pharmacies, facing mounting financial and regulatory pressures that threaten their personalized patient care, are increasingly considering strategic partnerships or sales to larger entities that can offer improved purchasing power, operational support, and value-based reimbursement opportunities—enabling these pharmacies to preserve clinical excellence and financial sustainability while maintaining varying degrees of leadership and autonomy.

$31 Million Pledged to Establish the Sigma Chi Center for Advanced Therapeutics and Innovation

The Huntsman Cancer Foundation and Sigma Chi International Fraternity announced a historic $31 million pledge to establish the Sigma Chi Center for Advanced Therapeutics and Innovation at Huntsman Cancer Institute, significantly expanding their partnership to accelerate groundbreaking cancer research, clinical trials, and improved patient outcomes across North America.

Valproic Acid During Pregnancy and After Delivery: A Narrative Review

Valproic acid, a widely used anticonvulsant and mood stabilizer often prescribed to women of childbearing age, poses significant risks during pregnancy— including a high, dose-dependent incidence of major congenital malformations, neurodevelopmental disorders, and adverse obstetric outcomes—necessitating careful risk-benefit assessment, individualized treatment planning, and consideration of safer alternatives to optimize maternal and fetal health.