2 - Events
European Statistical Forum 2026
February 7th, 2026 • 1 minute read
Phastar is excited to be attending European Statistical Forum, 12 – 13 November in NH Budapest City, Budapest. Connect with us at our presentation or request a meeting below: Experiences of Utilizing the BOIN12 Method for Designing Rare/Small Population Oncology TrialsGiles Partington, Consultant Statistician13 November 2026
5 - Articles & Interviews
Utilizing Tech Tools to Accelerate Drug Development
November 6th, 2025 • 1 minute read
The adoption of advanced technological tools in clinical trials is accelerating as sponsors seek faster insights, stronger compliance, and improved decision-making. In an article for Applied Clinical Trials, Christian Schmidt, Associate Director at Phastar, explains how combining tech innovation with deep therapeutic expertise can transform complex trial data into clear, actionable intelligence. ”Customizable tools can […]
6 - Blogs
The Need for a DMC and the Operational Role of an Independent Data Analysis Center: Practical Insights for Sponsors
November 4th, 2025 • 5 minute read
Introduction Data Monitoring Committees (DMCs) play a pivotal role in protecting the rights, safety and well-being of trial participants and also the integrity of clinical studies. Central to their optimal effectiveness are Independent Data Analysis Centers (IDAC), which bring technical expertise, operational oversight, and strategic insight to every stage of the DMC process. By reading […]
6 - Blogs
Navigating DMC Meeting Requirements and Conduct: Best Practices for Sponsors
October 16th, 2025 • 5 minute read
Introduction A Data Monitoring Committee’s (DMC) overriding responsibility is to protect the rights, safety and well-being of trial participants. The optimal set-up and conduct of DMC meetings in clinical trials requires specialized expertise. It involves not only rigorous data review and oversight by the DMC members, but also meticulous attention to, where applicable, maintaining the […]
6 - Blogs
Common Challenges in ISS and ISE Delivery, and How to Overcome Them
October 13th, 2025 • 3 minute read
Introduction Integrated Summaries of Safety (ISS) and Effectiveness (ISE) bring together data from across clinical trials to give regulators a clear picture of a treatment’s risk and benefit profile. While the Common Technical Document (CTD) format provides clinical summaries of efficacy and safety (SCE and SCS), US regulations still require detailed ISE and ISS documents, […]
4 - Case Studies
Delivering Integrated Safety and Efficacy Analyses in Cushing Syndrome
October 6th, 2025 • 1 minute read
When faced with evolving analysis plans, minimal client infrastructure, and shifting output volumes, Phastar delivered high-quality ISS and ISE outputs for Cushing syndrome clinical studies. By combining automation, custom macros, and strategic agility within an FSP model, our team adapted quickly to changing sponsor needs—ensuring consistent quality and on-time delivery despite significant mid-project changes. This […]
4 - Case Studies
Delivering a Complex ISS in Autoimmune Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis
September 26th, 2025 • 1 minute read
Phastar supported a sponsor in delivering a high-quality Integrated Summary of Safety (ISS) for a rare disease program in aPAP, pooling three studies into multiple analysis datasets and generating 84 outputs. Our team tackled ongoing data updates, structural variability, complex safety derivations, and FDA change requests, ensuring alignment across all outputs and regulatory readiness. Advanced […]
6 - Blogs
Preparing an Integrated Safety Summary (ISS): Why Expertise and Planning Matter
September 22nd, 2025 • 3 minute read
Introduction When preparing a regulatory submission, one of the most critical components is the Integrated Safety Summary (ISS). Far from being a simple aggregation of safety data, the ISS is a detailed and carefully constructed analysis that provides regulators with a complete picture of a product’s safety profile across clinical trials. This blog explores […]
6 - Blogs
Practical Tips for CDM and Biostatistics Alignment
August 6th, 2025 • 4 minute read
Smooth collaboration and effective integration between clinical data management (CDM) and biostatistics does not happen by chance. Without strong integration, clinical trials often suffer from delays during data handoffs, inconsistent data standards, increased rework, and compromised data quality. These challenges slow database lock, complicate analysis, and jeopardize submission readiness, putting your trial timelines and regulatory […]
6 - Blogs
Bridging the Gap: Building Synergy Between Clinical Data Management and Biostatistics
July 21st, 2025 • 4 minute read
When Clinical Data Management (CDM) and biostatistics teams collaborate from the outset of a trial, the impact is transformative. Clearer endpoint definitions, more consistent data capture, and faster, cleaner analysis pipelines all become achievable. This helps result in accelerated timelines, fewer surprises during database lock, and a higher level of confidence in your regulatory submissions. […]
4 - Case Studies
CRO Oversight: Restoring Quality to Outsourced Oncology and Rheumatology Studies
July 16th, 2025 • 1 minute read
After acquiring a biotech, a global pharma company faced major issues with two ongoing pharmacokinetic studies—both fully outsourced and poorly managed. Lack of CRO oversight had led to data inconsistencies, missed deadlines, and quality concerns. Phastar was brought in to take control. By providing targeted CRO oversight, identifying critical data issues, and driving process improvements, […]
6 - Blogs
What Today’s Trials Need: Specialist CROs vs Full-Service CROs
July 8th, 2025 • 4 minute read
As clinical trials become more complex and data-driven, pharmaceutical and biotech companies are increasingly seeking strategic support from specialist CROs. These data-focused partners bring deep biometrics expertise, consistent delivery, and faster access to high-quality, submission-ready data. The global pharmaceutical CRO market was valued at over $41 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow at […]
6 - Blogs
Phastar Shortlisted for Excellence in Clinical Trial Management at the Fierce CRO Awards 2025
May 15th, 2025 • 2 minute read
Phastar has been shortlisted for the Excellence in Clinical Trial Management category at the Fierce CRO Awards 2025. The award recognizes organizations that are redefining trial delivery through innovation, efficiency, and improved oversight. Our entry highlighted the impact of Phastar’s Clinical Intelligence platform, developed to support real-time oversight across complex trials by integrating operational, statistical, […]
1 - Press Releases
Phastar Secures Finalist Spot at 2025 Citeline Awards
April 10th, 2025 • 3 minute read
London, UK, and Durham (NC), US – April 10th, 2025: Phastar, a global specialist biometrics & data science Contract Research Organization (CRO), has been shortlisted in ‘CRO Partnership of the Year’ category at the 2025 Citeline Awards for its collaboration with Medicines Development for Global Health (MDGH), a not for profit pharmaceutical company dedicated to […]
6 - Blogs
How to Enable Multi-Directional Data Flow in Clinical Trial Data Portals
April 9th, 2025 • 3 minute read
In the evolving landscape of clinical trials, data monitoring has traditionally been a one-way street, data flows from electronic data capture (EDC) or other source data systems into dashboards for review, but user inputs into the data systems often require cumbersome manual processes. At Phastar, we’re building a future where clinical trial data portals function […]
5 - Articles & Interviews
Phastar CEO Graham Clark on AI-Driven Analytics and Data Management in Clinical Trials – SCOPE 2025 Interview
February 24th, 2025 • 2 minute read
At SCOPE 2025, Phastar CEO Graham Clark spoke with Applied Clinical Trials (ACT) about the future of clinical trial optimization. Discussing Phastar’s Best in Show-winning Clinical Intelligence Portal, he highlighted how data science solutions such as AI-driven analytics and real-time insights are transforming trial oversight. ” The first thing, the bedrock of everything, is rigorous data […]
1 - Press Releases
Phastar Scoops Prestigious 2024 Scrip Award
December 9th, 2024 • 2 minute read
London, UK, and Durham (NC), US – December 9th, 2024: Phastar, a global specialist biometrics contract research organization (CRO), has won the Best CRO – Specialist Providers category at the 2024 Scrip Awards. Presented at Raffles London at the OWO on Wednesday, December 4th, Phastar was recognized for its high-quality, specialized biometrics solutions, advanced clinical […]
6 - Blogs
What Are the Challenges of Implementing RBQM?
October 28th, 2024 • 4 minute read
Introduction Risk-Based Quality Management (RBQM) has emerged as a powerful tool for optimizing clinical trial operations. While its benefits—such as near real-time data access, improved resource allocation, and enhanced patient safety—are well-known, its adoption across the industry has been slower than anticipated. Data from the Association of Clinical Research Organizations (ACRO) highlights that the implementation […]
6 - Blogs
Key Insights on Conducting Clinical Trials with Decentralized Elements: Summarizing the FDA Guidance
October 22nd, 2024 • 11 minute read
By Lucy Clark, Statistics Manager, and Barbara Arch, Senior Statistician. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently (September 2024) published a finalized guidance document on Conducting Clinical Trials with Decentralized Elements. [1] This document is aimed at sponsors, investigators, and other interested parties. Two of our expert statisticians at Phastar have summarized the […]
6 - Blogs
Why Risk-Based Quality Management (RBQM) Is the Future of Clinical Trial Oversight
October 14th, 2024 • 6 minute read
Introduction Risk-Based Quality Management (RBQM) is revolutionizing the way clinical trials are managed, offering a modernized, efficient, and data-driven approach to oversight. Traditional methods that rely heavily on frequent on-site visits and 100% source data verification (SDV) are resource-intensive, costly, and often inefficient. RBQM applications streamline these processes, helping clinical operations teams focus on high-risk […]
5 - Articles & Interviews
Data Monitoring and Complex Clinical Trials: Toward a Solution
December 19th, 2023 • 1 minute read
In this article for ACRP Clinical Researcher, Professors Deborah Ashby and Jennifer Visser-Rogers discuss the challenges of data monitoring in complex clinical trials. Traditional methods are insufficient for trials with multiple variables like endpoints or treatments. Emphasising the importance of adaptable Data Monitoring Committees (DMCs) and collaboration among experts to handle these complexities effectively Prof Ashby and […]
5 - Articles & Interviews
Data Management Q&A – Stepping Back to Get the Big Picture
June 22nd, 2023 • 1 minute read
Phastar’s Carly Baker, Director of Clinical Data Management, and Alice Wang, Principal Data Scientist, recently took part in a Data Management-focused Q&A for the ACRP’s Clinical Researcher June 2023 release (Volume 37, Issue 3). In a wide-ranging discussion the pair touch on the benefits of IDMCs in safeguarding participant safety and ensuring data integrity, as well […]
6 - Blogs
AutoCRF: A Tool to Create a Mock eCRF Screen from Excel Data Specifications
June 21st, 2023 • 4 minute read
Case report forms (CRFs) are critical in clinical trials as they capture vital data related to patient safety, treatment efficacy, and overall trial outcomes. Good CRF design is essential to ensure the accuracy and completion of CRFs during the data collection process, warranting the validity and reliability of trial results and leading to the approval […]
6 - Blogs
Phastar’s Approach to Digital Health
August 25th, 2022 • 6 minute read
Currently, there is no widely adopted definition of Digital Health. At Phastar, we take a broad view and refer to Digital Health as the “use of technology in healthcare”, as it encompasses the use of computing platforms, connectivity, software, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and sensors for health care and related uses. Just 20 years ago, […]
6 - Blogs
A Programmer’s View on IDMCs
May 12th, 2021 • 5 minute read
Introduction An IDMC (sometimes known as a DMC/DMEC/DSMB) is an Independent Data Monitoring Committee, whose role it is to monitor the conduct of a clinical trial, to ensure the safety of its participants and the scientific integrity of the study. By periodically reviewing the accumulating safety, and sometimes efficacy data, the IDMC will make recommendations […]
6 - Blogs
The Application of AI in the Management of Data
January 25th, 2021 • 3 minute read
The crucial role of clinical data management (CDM) in a successful clinical trial is well understood, and central to this is the production of quality, accurate and comprehensive clinical data. This is critical for safety and efficacy to meet the standards to pass review by the regulatory authorities. Modern techniques for CDM are emerging in […]
6 - Blogs
Data Management of Adaptive Trial Designs
November 1st, 2019 • 3 minute read
Traditionally, studies have been run with a process of study design, study conduct, study report. Whilst this is more straight-forward it is not flexible and does not allow for modifications or changes that may be desirable during the course of a trial. An adaptive design allows for the flexibility of interim reviews of the data, […]
6 - Blogs
Data Integration for ISS/ISE
August 19th, 2019 • 5 minute read
Integration of data from a number of clinical trials for an Integrated Summary of Safety (ISS) and Efficacy (ISE) requires careful planning and includes the following planning steps [see ICH M4]: Assess the analysis and reporting requirements for the ISS/ISE Before starting integrating data across studies it is key to have a clear understanding of […]
1 - Press Releases
Phastar Enters Technology Partnership with Medidata
June 25th, 2019 • 3 minute read
London, UK and Cambridge, MA – June 24, 2019 – Phastar announced today that it has entered into a technology partnership with Medidata Solutions, Inc.. Phastar will deploy several solutions from the Medidata Rave Clinical CloudTM including Rave EDC, Coder, eCOA, and RTSM. The adoption of the Medidata Rave Clinical Cloud comes as Phastar continues […]
6 - Blogs
Phastar’s Approach to Risk-Based Monitoring
May 24th, 2019 • 4 minute read
Data quality and integrity are key aspects of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and sponsors are expected by regulators to demonstrate oversight of clinical studies to ensure proper conduct, safety of study subjects and accuracy and completeness of the clinical study data. Risk Based Monitoring is an approach that aims to implement improved and more efficient […]
1 - Press Releases
Phastar Presents Webinar on Medrio
April 23rd, 2019 • 3 minute read
On Tuesday 24th July 2018, Phastar presented a webinar on the topic ‘Efficiencies when delivering a quality database’. The presenters were Sheelagh Aird, Head of Clinical Data Operations and Gillian Childs, Principal Data Coordinator. The webinar, hosted by X-talks and Medrio, demonstrated the importance of controlling the quality of a database right from study set-up. […]
1 - Press Releases
Phastar’s Clinical Data Team Win ACDM Award
March 11th, 2019 • 2 minute read
Phastar, the global CRO offering statistical consulting, clinical trial reporting and data management services to the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, is delighted to be announced as winners of the inaugural award for Innovation in the Management of Clinical Data at this years ACDM Conference. The annual awards were established in 2019 to further showcase the […]
6 - Blogs
Data Quality and CDASH
January 3rd, 2018 • 3 minute read
How do you define the importance of data quality in clinical trials? An accurate reflection of a subject’s experience during a trial? Uniformity and completeness of the data collected? Frequency of deviations? All of the above. The need to define quality standards and implement structured data collection methods is imperative in order to reduce variability […]
6 - Blogs
Missing Data: Management and Prevention
August 9th, 2017 • 3 minute read
Data managers strive to produce high quality, reliable and intact data for analysis. Integral to this quality standard is to ensure minimal or no missing data. Missing data may have different sources such as equipment failure, missed visits, death or withdrawal of a subject and is usually dealt with during the analysis by defined handling […]
6 - Blogs
Interim Locks and DSMBs
April 12th, 2017 • 3 minute read
Special consideration needs to be given to providing data for interim locks and DSMBs during the course of a study. It is crucial that the data provided for these milestones is as complete, accurate and up-to-date as possible because the outcome can have serious implications on the review and progress of the study. It is […]