Join me on my journey across the clinical trial landscape. I will be accompanied by a variety of people, all experts within their field, as we seek to understand and uncover unknowns, to shape ideas, inspire innovation and ultimately to find out how we can truly move clinical trials out of the spiralling void of higher costs and lower outputs. Click on an episode below to listen.
EPISODE 35: WITH AQIL AHSAN AND JASEEM MAHMMDLA
On this week's podcast, Liam is joined by Aqil Ahsan, the founder and CEO of Kognitic, and Jaseem Mahmmdla, the co-founder and technologist behind their innovative AI-driven platform. Aqil has a background in mechanical engineering, having worked in automotive and aerospace industries, where he developed a passion for automation. Jaseem brings over 25 years of experience as a technologist with expertise in data analysis and product design, focusing on improving drug development processes. These passions led them to co-found Kognitic, applying automation and advanced technology to the clinical trial space.
In this episode, we explore how automation and AI are reshaping the pharmaceutical industry, delving into the challenges of data collection, patient recruitment, and trial efficiency. We discuss the importance of real-world evidence, efficacy benchmarking, and the critical role of natural language processing in accelerating drug development. The conversation also touches on the gap between pharma and other industries in adopting automation and the potential of AI to revolutionize clinical trials. Prepare for an insightful discussion on the future of drug development and how AI is transforming the industry and much more.
Founders, Kognitic
In this episode of the podcast, Liam is joined by Aqil Ahsan, the founder and CEO of Kognitic, and Jaseem Mahmmdla, the co-founder and technologist behind their innovative AI-driven platform. Aqil has a background in mechanical engineering, having worked in automotive and aerospace industries, where he developed a passion for automation. Jaseem brings over 25 years of experience as a technologist with expertise in data analysis and product design, focusing on improving drug development processes. These passions led them to co-found Kognitic, applying automation and advanced technology to the clinical trial space.
In this episode, we explore how automation and AI are reshaping the pharmaceutical industry, delving into the challenges of data collection, patient recruitment, and trial efficiency. We discuss the importance of real-world evidence, efficacy benchmarking, and the critical role of natural language processing in accelerating drug development. The conversation also touches on the gap between pharma and other industries in adopting automation and the potential of AI to revolutionize clinical trials. Prepare for an insightful discussion on the future of drug development and how AI is transforming the industry and much more.
EPISODE 33: WITH ILYA GLUHOVSKY AND PAUL NEYMAN
Ilya Gluhovsky and Paul Neyman join Liam on this week’s podcast episode. Ilya has an extensive background in software development, machine learning, and AI, with leadership roles in companies like Ancestry.com and Rally Health, and is now the co-founder of Areti Health, a company focused on revolutionizing patient recruitment in clinical trials using generative AI. Paul, with a background in computer science and sales, has successfully scaled multiple startups and now drives the sales strategy at Areti Health. In our discussion today, we dive into the challenges of patient recruitment in clinical trials, explore how generative AI is transforming the process, discuss the importance of personalized and culturally sensitive patient engagement, and uncover the future potential of AI in improving clinical trial efficiency and outcomes. We also touch on the misconceptions about AI in healthcare and a new standard for patient interaction and retention in clinical research, and much more.
Founders, Areti Health
Ilya Gluhovsky and Paul Neyman join Liam on this week’s podcast episode. Ilya has an extensive background in software development, machine learning, and AI, with leadership roles in companies like Ancestry.com and Rally Health, and is now the co-founder of Areti Health, a company focused on revolutionizing patient recruitment in clinical trials using generative AI. Paul, with a background in computer science and sales, has successfully scaled multiple startups and now drives the sales strategy at Areti Health. In our discussion today, we dive into the challenges of patient recruitment in clinical trials, explore how generative AI is transforming the process, discuss the importance of personalized and culturally sensitive patient engagement, and uncover the future potential of AI in improving clinical trial efficiency and outcomes. We also touch on the misconceptions about AI in healthcare and a new standard for patient interaction and retention in clinical research, and much more.
EPISODE 33: WITH SCOTT BURGHER
Scott joins Liam on this week’s podcast episode. Scott has built an impressive career focused on patient recruitment and experience and DCT across several prominent companies, including Accenture, Verily, and also is a part of Decentralized Trials & Research Alliance (DTRA) as a Member Board of Directors. In our discussion today, we delve into a range of topics relating to recruitment and patient experience, we discuss what patient centricity means, explore how Scott would deliver clinical trials if he had a blank canvas, we explore what most people don’t know about patient recruitment and uncover what innovations Scott is most excited about and much more.
Head of Patient Experience Operations, Verily
Scott joins Liam on this week’s podcast episode. Scott has built an impressive career focused on patient recruitment and experience and DCT across several prominent companies, including Accenture, Verily, and also is a part of Decentralized Trials & Research Alliance (DTRA) as a Member Board of Directors. In our discussion today, we delve into a range of topics relating to recruitment and patient experience, we discuss what patient centricity means, explore how Scott would deliver clinical trials if he had a blank canvas, we explore what most people don’t know about patient recruitment and uncover what innovations Scott is most excited about and much more.
EPISODE 32: WITH SANDY ROBBINS
Sandy joins Liam on this week’s podcast episode. Sandy is the Vice President of Commercial Operations at MMS. Sandy has built an impressive career focused on strategic pricing across several prominent companies, including Syneos, PPD, Quintiles, and more. In our discussion today, we delve into a range of critical topics, including the distinction between price and value in the industry, what’s broken in the current trial model between sponsors, CROs, and sites, and why we shouldn’t rely on past pricing models to shape the future. Additionally, we explore Sandy's backstory on how she entered the clinical trials space, her unique process for helping groups demonstrate value over price, and much more.
Vice President of Commercial Operations at MMS
Sandy joins Liam on this week’s podcast episode. Sandy is the Vice President of Commercial Operations at MMS. Sandy has built an impressive career focused on strategic pricing across several prominent companies, including Syneos, PPD, Quintiles, and more. In our discussion today, we delve into a range of critical topics, including the distinction between price and value in the industry, what’s broken in the current trial model between sponsors, CROs, and sites, and why we shouldn’t rely on past pricing models to shape the future. Additionally, we explore Sandy's backstory on how she entered the clinical trials space, her unique process for helping groups demonstrate value over price, and much more.
EPISODE 31: WITH JEFF SMITH
Jeff joins Liam on this week’s podcast episode. Jeff is a seasoned executive within the pharma and CRO space. Jeff is currently the President at The Luna Group Consulting. He was previously the CEO of Alimentiv, in which he scaled it from an academic spin out to a specialised CRO focused on GI. In our discussion today we discuss all things CRO, we understand how the space works, the relationships amongst stakeholders, understand where the industry gets it right and wrong and take a deep dive on leadership and so much more.
Experienced CEO | Strategic Advisor & Consultant | Board Member
Jeff joins Liam on this week’s podcast episode. Jeff is a seasoned executive within the pharma and CRO space. Jeff is currently the President at The Luna Group Consulting. He was previously the CEO of Alimentiv, in which he scaled it from an academic spin out to a specialised CRO focused on GI. In our discussion today we discuss all things CRO, we understand how the space works, the relationships amongst stakeholders, understand where the industry gets it right and wrong and take a deep dive on leadership and so much more.
EPISODE 30: WITH TED TRAFFORD
Ted joins Liam on this week’s podcast episode. Ted is the Director of Business Development at Probity Medical Research. Probity Medical Research (PMR) is a leading clinical research consortium with over 70 clinical trials sites. PMR's network conducts clinical trials in Aesthetics, Allergy / Immunology, Cardiology, Dermatology, Rheumatology and Vaccines. In todays session we explore all things enrollment. We discuss the psychology at sites, how to create a high performing site, the relationships between site, CRO’s and Sponsors, investing in sites, and throw in a few stories and analogies for good measure!
Director of Business Development
Ted joins Liam on this week’s podcast episode. Ted is the Director of Business Development at Probity Medical Research. Probity Medical Research (PMR) is a leading clinical research consortium with over 70 clinical trials sites. PMR's network conducts clinical trials in Aesthetics, Allergy / Immunology, Cardiology, Dermatology, Rheumatology and Vaccines. In todays session we explore all things enrollment. We discuss the psychology at sites, how to create a high performing site, the relationships between site, CRO’s and Sponsors, investing in sites, and throw in a few stories and analogies for good measure!
EPISODE 29: WITH SCOTT SCHLIEBNER
Scott joins Liam on this week’s podcast episode. Scott is VP and Global Head of Drug Development at Novotech. Founded in 1997, Novotech is a global full-service clinical Contract Research Organization (CRO) focused on partnering with biotech companies to accelerate the development of advanced and novel therapeutics at every phase. In this session we explore Scott’s origin story, discuss it means to him to put patients first, dive into ways we can deliver trials differently and some of his biggest lessons learned over the years in the clinical trial space and much more!
VP and Global Head of Drug Development Consulting, Novotech
Scott joins Liam on this week’s podcast episode. Scott is VP and Global Head of Drug Development at Novotech. Founded in 1997, Novotech is a global full-service clinical Contract Research Organization (CRO) focused on partnering with biotech companies to accelerate the development of advanced and novel therapeutics at every phase. In todays session we explore Scott’s origin story, discuss it means to him to put patients first, dive into ways we can deliver trials differently and some of his biggest lessons learned over the years in the clinical trial space and much more!
EPISODE 28: WITH KRIS LARSEN
Kris join Liam on this week’s podcast episode. Kris has 25+ years of global experience in brand development across a variety of sectors - including Life science. He is currently the Director of Client Engagement at Six Degrees. Six Degrees is a Psycho-Sensory Brand Building Agency. The company focuses on combining psychology-based tools and techniques with sensory branding methods to create real and lasting brand impact. In this session we dive into understanding what psycho-sentory branding is and the value it has in clinical trials.
Director of Client Engagement at Six Degrees
Kris join Liam on this week’s podcast episode. Kris has 25+ years of global experience in brand development across a variety of sectors - including Life science. He is currently the Director of Client Engagement at Six Degrees. Six Degrees is a Psycho-Sensory Brand Building Agency. The company focuses on combining psychology-based tools and techniques with sensory branding methods to create real and lasting brand impact. In this session we dive into understanding what psycho-sentory branding is and the value it has in clinical trials.
EPISODE 27: WITH JENN MCNARY & RICHIE KAHN
Jenn and Richie join Liam on this week’s podcast episode. Jenn and Richie are founders of Canary Advisors. Canary Advisors is a boutique consultancy that works with organizations on patient focused drug and device development. They work with biopharmaceutical, nonprofit, and regulatory groups to better understand disease impacts, unmet needs, and patient preferences. In todays session we discuss what patient advocacy is, where do Sponsors get it wrong and what we can do about it and understand the patient FDA process and much more.
Founders, Canary Advisors
Jenn and Richie join Liam on this week’s podcast episode. Jenn and Richie are founders of Canary Advisors. Canary Advisors is a boutique consultancy that works with organizations on patient focused drug and device development. They work with biopharmaceutical, nonprofit, and regulatory groups to better understand disease impacts, unmet needs, and patient preferences. In todays session we discuss what patient advocacy is, where do Sponsors get it wrong and what we can do about it and understand the patient FDA process and much more.
EPISODE 26: WITH JOEL WHITE
Joel White joins Liam on this week’s podcast episode. Joel founded Marketcap Consulting, LLC in 2021 to help companies increase the valuation and effectiveness of their business by improving their financial performance and strategy. Prior to this he has worked with groups such as Synteract, Chiltern, Parexel, PRA. In todays session we discuss the current clinical trial landscape and economy, discuss how to price services and talk about current tension between CRO’s and sites and much more.
Founder, Marketcap Consulting
Joel White joins Liam on this week’s podcast episode. Joel founded Marketcap Consulting, LLC in 2021 to help companies increase the valuation and effectiveness of their business by improving their financial performance and strategy. Prior to this he has worked with groups such as Synteract, Chiltern, Parexel, PRA. In todays session we discuss the current clinical trial landscape and economy, discuss how to price services and talk about current tension between CRO’s and sites and much more.
EPISODE 25: WITH VATCHE BARTEKIAN
Vatche Bartekian joins Liam on this week’s podcast episode. Vatche is the Founder and President at Vantage BioTrials. Vantage BioTrials is a Canadian CRO that delivers clinical trial management services to clients in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device sectors. Prior to this Vatche worked with groups such as Pfizer, Covance and PPD. In todays session we discuss about the concept of quality by design, how AI could support research and much more.
President and Founder, Vantage BioTrials
Vatche Bartekian joins Liam on this week’s podcast episode. Vatche is the Founder and President at Vantage BioTrials. Vantage BioTrials is a Canadian CRO that delivers clinical trial management services to clients in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device sectors. Prior to this Vatche worked with groups such as Pfizer, Covance and PPD. In todays session we discuss about the concept of quality by design, how AI could support research and much more.
EPISODE 24: WITH VINCENT CAFISO
Vincent Cafiso joins Liam on this week’s podcast episode. Vin is the founder and Managing Consultant at Practical Compliance Results. It’s here that Vin helps medical device and IVD companies be ready for FDA inspection. In this session, we discuss a wide range of topics relating to compliance, quality assurance and quality systems. We discuss the principles of regulation and how companies can prepare for inspections and audits and much more.
Founder, Managing Consultant at Practical Compliance Results
Vincent Cafiso joins Liam on this week’s podcast episode. Vin is the founder and Managing Consultant at Practical Compliance Results. It’s here that Vin helps medical device and IVD companies be ready for FDA inspection. In this session, we discuss a wide range of topics relating to compliance, quality assurance and quality systems. We discuss the principles of regulation and how companies can prepare for inspections and audits and much more.
EPISODE 23: WITH SCOTT WHITT
Scott Whitt joins Liam on this week’s podcast episode. Scott is the President and General Manager of Triad Clinical Trials, a premier research clinic located in beautiful Greensboro, North Carolina that serves the Triad region. In this session, we discuss topics including Scott's journey from consulting for firms such as IQVIA, Deloitte, and United Health to buying a clinical research site. We explore the dynamic and kinetic world of research. We dive into how he and his team tripled Triad’s performance, discuss some misalignments with site and sponsor, and much more.
President & General Manager, Triad Clinical Trials
Scott Whitt joins Liam on this week’s podcast episode. Scott is the President and General Manager of Triad Clinical Trials, a premier research clinic located in Greensboro, North Carolina that serves the Triad region. In this session, we discuss topics including Scott's journey from consulting for firms such as IQVIA, Deloitte, and United Health to buying a clinical research site. We explore the dynamic and kinetic world of research. We dive into how he and his team tripled Triad’s performance, discuss some misalignments with site and sponsor, and much more.
EPISODE 22: WITH TIFFANY ASHTON
Tiffany Ashton joins Liam on this week’s podcast episode. Tiffany is the Director of Operations at ClinEssentials. ClinEssentials provides training and tools for Clinical Research Associates (CRA), Clinical Trial Managers (CTM’s) and more. In this session we explore a range of topics including, Tiffany’s journey into clinical trials, some of the problems of running a being a CTA and CTM and how you can solve them, considerations for Biotech and Pharma when running a trial and much more.
Director of Operations, ClinEssentials
Tiffany Ashton joins Liam on this week’s podcast episode. Tiffany is the Director of Operations at ClinEssentials. ClinEssentials provides training and tools for Clinical Research Associates (CRA), Clinical Trial Managers (CTMs), and more. In this session, we explore a range of topics including Tiffany’s journey into clinical trials, some of the problems in clinical trials as a CTA and CTM, how you can solve them, considerations for Biotech and Pharma when operationalising their study, and much more.
EPISODE 21: WITH DAN SFERA
Dan Sfera joins Liam on this week’s podcast episode. Dan is Co-Founder of Yuma Clinical Trials. Yuma conduct multi-therapeutic clinical trials and align with clinicians and specialists to bring study opportunities to the underserved Southwestern Arizona region. Dan is also the Co-Founder of CRA Academy, and owner of The Clinical Trial Guru, where he shares his knowledge of clinical trials. In this session we explore a range of topics including, Dan’s journey into clinical trials, some of the problems of running a research centre and how he solves them and much more.
Co-Founder, Yuma Clinical Trials
Dan Sfera joins Liam on this week’s podcast episode. Dan is Co-Founder of Yuma Clinical Trials. Yuma conduct multi-therapeutic clinical trials and align with clinicians and specialists to bring study opportunities to the underserved Southwestern Arizona region. Dan is also the Co-Founder of CRA Academy, and owner of The Clinical Trial Guru, where he shares his knowledge of clinical trials. In this session we explore a range of topics including, Dan’s journey into clinical trials, some of the problems of running a research centre and how he solves them and much more.
EPISODE 20: WITH stacy hurt
Stacy Hurt joins Liam on this week’s podcast episode. Stacy is the Chef Patient Officer (CPO) at Parexcel. It’s one of the largest clinical research organizations (CROs) and provides the full range of Phase I to IV clinical development services to help life-saving treatments reach patients faster. In this session we explore a range of topics including, Stacy’s inspiring journey from caring for her son and battling cancer to becoming a patient advocate, along with other topics such as how in her new role as CPO she is leading the charge on helps Sponsors be more patient centric and much more.
Chief Patient Officer, Parexel
Stacy Hurt joins Liam on this week’s podcast episode. Stacy is the Chief Patient Officer (CPO) at Parexel. It’s one of the largest clinical research organizations (CROs) and provides the full range of Phase I to IV clinical development services to help life-saving treatments reach patients faster. In this session we explore a range of topics including, Stacy’s inspiring journey from caring for her son and battling cancer to becoming a patient advocate, along with other topics such as how in her new role as CPO she is leading the charge to help Sponsors be more patient centric and much more.
EPISODE 19: WITH BARRY LAKE
Barry Lake joins Liam on this week’s podcast episode. Barry is the CEO and Founder of Devana Solutions. Devana Solutions is a cloud-based platform that has been created specifically for clinical research sites that helps improve start up efficiency and capture performance metrics, thereby aligning both Sponsor and Sites. In this session we explore a range of topics including, the value of having site metrics at your fingertips, how technology is enabling sites to better manage their operations, how important it is to align sites, CRO’s and Sponsors when running clinical trials and much more.
CEO, DEVANA SOLUTIONS
Barry Lake joins Liam on this week’s podcast episode. Barry is the CEO and Founder of Devana Solutions. Devana Solutions is a cloud-based platform that has been created specifically for clinical research sites that helps improve start up efficiency and capture performance metrics, thereby aligning both Sponsor and Sites. In this session we explore a range of topics including, the value of having site metrics at your fingertips, how technology is enabling sites to better manage their operations, how important it is to align sites, CRO’s and Sponsors when running clinical trials and much more.
EPISODE 18: WITH JIMMY BECHTEL
Jimmy Bechtel joins Liam on this week’s podcast episode. Jimmy is Vice President of Site Engagement at the Society for Clinical Research Sites (SCRS). SCRS is a global organization that unifies the voice of the clinical research site community to create greater site sustainability. They are an influential voice for sites and an active partner in industry-wide initiatives and dialogues focused on improving the clinical research enterprise. In this session we explore a range of topics including, how sites are dealing with the ever evolving technology landscape shift with DCT, the opportunities and how SCRS can support sites.
VP, SITE ENGAGEMENT
SOCIETY FOR CLINICAL RESEARCH SITES
Jimmy Bechtel joins Liam on this week’s podcast episode. Jimmy is Vice President of Site Engagement at the Society for Clinical Research Sites (SCRS). SCRS is a global organization that unifies the voice of the clinical research site community to create greater site sustainability. They are an influential voice for sites and an active partner in industry-wide initiatives and dialogues focused on improving the clinical research enterprise. In this session we explore a range of topics including, how sites are dealing with the ever evolving technology landscape shift with DCT, the opportunities and how SCRS can support sites.
EPISODE 17: WITH SEAN KARAMCHANDANI
Sean Karamchandani joins Liam on this week’s podcast episode. Sean is Partner at Persistence Capital Partners, a Private Equity Firm based in Canada. Persistence focuses on high-growth opportunities in the healthcare field. One such area that Sean specialises in is Clinical Trial Research Sites. In this session we explore a range of items including, how sites can better prepare themselves for delivery/enrolment and a potential sale. Understand how to calculate the value of a site and how the site ecosystem and landscape is changing, touch upon technology that may help sites and much more.
PARTNER, PERSISTENCE CAPITAL PARTNERS
Sean Karamchandani joins Liam on this week’s podcast episode. Sean is Partner at Persistence Capital Partners, a Private Equity Firm based in Canada. Persistence focuses on high-growth opportunities in the healthcare field. One such area that Sean specialises in is Clinical Trial Research Sites. In this session we explore a range of items including, how sites can better prepare themselves for delivery/enrolment and a potential sale. Understand how to calculate the value of a site and how the site ecosystem and landscape is changing, touch upon technology that may help sites and much more.
EPISODE 16: WITH DR JEFF KINGSLEY
Dr Jeff Kingsley joins Liam on this week’s podcast episode. Jeff is the CEO and founder of IACT Health, chair and COO and founding member of hyperCORE International, and the host of Riding in Cars with Researchers, a clinical trial podcast. IACT Health, is a research management organisation with 17 wholly owned and integrated clinical research offices throughout the Southeast US. Recently IACT has announced a strategic alliance with LMC Manna Research and have close to 40 wholly owned sites in US and Canada. In this session we explore frameworks for effective clinical trial delivery - E. Q. T. CS. How to run a successful site management business and much more. This is a masterclass in research at site.
CEO, IACT HEALTH
Dr Jeff Kingsley joins Liam on this week’s podcast episode. Jeff is the CEO and founder of IACT Health, chair and COO and founding member of hyperCORE International, and the host of Riding in Cars with Researchers, a clinical trial podcast. IACT Health, is a research management organisation with 17 wholly owned and integrated clinical research offices throughout the Southeast US. Recently IACT has announced a strategic alliance with LMC Manna Research and have close to 40 wholly owned sites in US and Canada. In this session we explore frameworks for effective clinical trial delivery - E. Q. T. CS. How to run a successful site management business and much more. This is a masterclass in research at site.
“As an industry we should be working cross functionally and sharing our experiences. If you want to learn about and conduct better clinical trials I highly recommend this podcast. Liam is incredibly knowledgeable about all things clinical trials, and in his interviews he does a great job dissecting the biggest challenges and new trends in the industry.”
Dr Patrick Short