In Silico Trials, Real Impacts!

Digital Footprints to Medical Breakthroughs: The Real-World Data Revolution

What if the future of healthcare innovation lies not in controlled trials, but in the digital footprints we leave every day? Real-world data from health records, wearables, and patient experiences revolutionises medical research. This episode explores the profound impact of real world data (RWD) in healthcare.
Discover how everyday data sources like Fitbits, electronic health records (EHRs), and insurance claims are reshaping the medical landscape. Learn about the nuances of real world data, from its messy nature to its invaluable insights for patient care.
Dive into the complexities of data standardization, the use of machine learning, and the challenges of privacy and bias. Explore how RWD is paving the way for personalized medicine and disease prevention, offering hope for rare disease research through global data pooling.
Join the conversation about the future of healthcare, privacy concerns, and the exciting potential of sharing patient-generated data. Tune in now and be part of the revolution where algorithms, data, and human insight converge to shape a healthier tomorrow.
 
Liu F, Panagiotakos D. Real-world data: a brief review of the methods, applications, challenges and opportunities. BMC Med Res Methodol. 2022 Nov 5;22(1):287. doi: 10.1186/s12874-022-01768-6. Erratum in: BMC Med Res Methodol. 2023 May 2;23(1):109. doi: 10.1186/s12874-023-01937-1.
 

The Science Behind Making Virtual Trials Trustworthy: Ten Rules

Would you trust a computer to help decide your medical treatment? Imagine doctors using virtual experiments to test treatments before giving them to real patients - sounds like sci-fi, right? But it's happening now! Just like pilots train in flight simulators before flying real planes, scientists are using powerful computer models to improve healthcare.
But here's the million-pound question: How do we know these digital predictions are reliable?
In this episode, we'll reveal the 10 golden rules scientists follow to ensure their virtual experiments are trustworthy. From making sure they're using the right data to having independent experts check their work (like having a second opinion from another doctor!), these rules are changing the game in modern medicine.
 
Erdemir A, Mulugeta L, Ku JP, Drach A, Horner M, Morrison TM, Peng GCY, Vadigepalli R, Lytton WW, Myers JG Jr. Credible practice of modeling and simulation in healthcare: ten rules from a multidisciplinary perspective. J Transl Med. 2020 Sep 29;18(1):369. doi: 10.1186/s12967-020-02540-4. 
Manchel A, Erdemir A, Mulugeta L, Ku JP, Rego BV, Horner M, Lytton WW, Myers JG Jr, Vadigepalli R. A rubric for assessing conformance to the Ten Rules for credible practice of modeling and simulation in healthcare. medRxiv [Preprint]. 2024 Nov 2. doi: 10.1101/2024.10.31.24316520.
 

STANDING Together: Equitable AI and In Silico Technologies in Healthcare

What if In Silico Technologies in healthcare could truly serve everyone? The STANDING Together recommendations are revolutionising how we think about health data diversity and inclusion. From bustling cities to remote villages, discover how this groundbreaking initiative is reshaping healthcare technologies development through the voices of patients, practitioners, and policymakers. Join us as we explore the journey towards equitable healthcare technology that leaves no one behind
We'll explore the importance of data diversity and patient involvement in shaping the future of medical technology—be it AI diagnostic systems or in silico technologies predicting drug interactions. Understand how these recommendations propose a shift towards a more responsible and inclusive approach, requiring the commitment of researchers, developers, policymakers, and patients themselves.
This episode highlights patient advocacy, urging everyone to become proactive in their healthcare journey and data literacy. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into our lives, ensuring fairness and equity becomes paramount—a responsibility we all share.www.datadiversity.org
Alderman JE, Palmer J, Laws E, McCradden MD, Ordish J, Ghassemi M, Pfohl SR, Rostamzadeh N, Cole-Lewis H, Glocker B, Calvert M, Pollard TJ, Gill J, Gath J, Adebajo A, Beng J, Leung CH, Kuku S, Farmer LA, Matin RN, Mateen BA, McKay F, Heller K, Karthikesalingam A, Treanor D, Mackintosh M, Oakden-Rayner L, Pearson R, Manrai AK, Myles P, Kumuthini J, Kapacee Z, Sebire NJ, Nazer LH, Seah J, Akbari A, Berman L, Gichoya JW, Righetto L, Samuel D, Wasswa W, Charalambides M, Arora A, Pujari S, Summers C, Sapey E, Wilkinson S, Thakker V, Denniston A, Liu X. Tackling algorithmic bias and promoting transparency in health datasets: the STANDING Together consensus recommendations. Lancet Digit Health. 2025 Jan;7(1):e64-e88. doi: 10.1016/S2589-7500(24)00224-3.
 

Can Computer Simulations Make Medical Products Safer?

Ever wondered how we can make shoulder replacements safer without endless clinical trials? Step into the future of medical innovation where virtual patients help test new drugs and devices. Discover how computer simulations could make medicine safer, faster, and more ethical. Learn why experts believe digital trials might be the game-changer healthcare has been waiting for.
Viceconti M, Emili L, Afshari P, Courcelles E, Curreli C, Famaey N, Geris L, Horner M, Jori MC, Kulesza A, Loewe A, Neidlin M, Reiterer M, Rousseau CF, Russo G, Sonntag SJ, Voisin EM, Pappalardo F. Possible Contexts of Use for In Silico Trials Methodologies: A Consensus-Based Review. IEEE J Biomed Health Inform. 2021 Oct;25(10):3977-3982. doi: 10.1109/JBHI.2021.3090469.
 
 
 

Cutting Costs, Boosting Results: The Tech Revolution in Clinical Trials

Why are clinical trials becoming so expensive? Dive into the financial maze of skyrocketing costs, from patient recruitment challenges to decentralization hurdles. Discover how patient-centric strategies and digital tools are reshaping the landscape, cutting costs, and boosting efficiency. Join us as we uncover the hidden drivers behind these rising expenses and explore innovative solutions to optimize clinical trials. Don't miss it!DiMasi JA, Grabowski HG, Hansen RW. Innovation in the pharmaceutical industry: New estimates of R&D costs. J Health Econ. 2016 May;47:20-33.
Moore TJ, Heyward J, Anderson G, Alexander GC. Variation in the estimated costs of pivotal clinical benefit trials supporting the US approval of new therapeutic agents, 2015-2017: a cross-sectional study. BMJ Open. 2020 Jun 11;10(6):e038863. 
MDGroup (2020) The True Cost Of Patient Drop-outs In Clinical Trials. https://mdgroup.com/blog/the-true-cost-of-patient-drop-outs-in-clinical-trials
 
 
 
 
 
 

Breaking New Ground: The Virtual Trial Transforming Knee Surgery

Can 3D-printed, personalized knee surgery implants revolutionize arthritis treatment? Virtual clinical trials show promising results for a custom device that could make corrective knee surgery safer and more accessible. Discover how computer simulations are paving the way for the future of personalized orthopaedics.MacLeod AR, Peckham N, Serrancolí G, Rombach I, Hourigan P, Mandalia VI, Toms AD, Fregly BJ, Gill HS. Personalised high tibial osteotomy has mechanical safety equivalent to generic device in a case-control in silico clinical trial. Commun Med (Lond). 2021 Jun 30;1:6. doi: 10.1038/s43856-021-00001-7.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Standards as Innovation Catalysts: The PAGIT Framework

How can we unlock innovation while ensuring responsible governance? Dive into the evolution of the PAGIT framework, where standards meet strategic oversight. From disruptive technologies to incremental advances, discover how this groundbreaking approach is reshaping the UK's innovation landscape. Join us to explore how smart regulation and standards are building tomorrow's technological future.
Tait J (2024) The PAGIT framework: Its role in the governance of UK technologies to drive greater innovation, BSI, https://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/insights-and-media/insights/whitepapers/update-to-pagit-framework-for-innovation.

In Silico vs. Real Life: Can Computer Models Outperform Spine Surgery Tests?

Can computers predict if medical devices are safe? Discover how virtual testing revolutionises surgical implant design, potentially saving millions in development costs and speeding up innovation. Learn how digital twins are helping bring safer bone screws to the operating room, faster than ever before.
 
Nagaraja S, Loughran G, Baumann AP, Kartikeya K, Horner M. Establishing finite element model credibility of a pedicle screw system under compression-bending: An end-to-end example of the ASME V&V 40 standard. Methods. 2024 May;225:74-88. doi: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2024.03.003.