Biopharma Execs Report Rising ROI from Real-World Data in Clinical Trials
Event summary
- Tufts CSDD study (sponsored by Verana Health) found 10/14 biopharma execs expect 1-2 year ROI increase from RWD adoption
- RWD/RWE used across drug development lifecycle for faster decision-making, trial optimization, and commercialization
- Regulatory agencies increasingly accepting RWD in submissions, though quality/completeness remain challenges
- Study conducted via interviews with 18 pharma, biotech, and CRO leaders in 5 therapeutic areas
- Verana Health hosted March 2026 webinar on AI's role in RWD adoption
The big picture
The study confirms RWD's strategic value across drug development, marking a shift from traditional randomized controlled trials. With regulatory bodies showing increased openness to RWD, the industry appears to be moving toward more efficient, data-driven clinical research. Verana Health's sponsorship highlights the competitive positioning of specialized RWD platforms in this evolving landscape.
What we're watching
- Regulatory Shift
- How FDA's growing acceptance of RWD will impact trial design and approval timelines
- Data Quality
- Whether Verana Health and competitors can address quality/completeness challenges in RWD
- Industry Adoption
- The pace at which biopharma companies will expand RWD usage beyond current therapeutic areas
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