Case study

Designing a trial with the finish line in mind

Maximising the chances of becoming a new standard of care, before a single patient is enrolled.

Shaping strategy to achieve standard of care

Published
14 July 2025
Read
2 min
Sector
Evidence development & decision support
Focus
Success stories
Designing a trial with the finish line in mind

The challenge

Our client was preparing to enter Phase 3 with a new oncology asset but lacked the strategic insight to shape a trial that would satisfy both regulators and payers. With limited experience in this specific indication, they needed to define the right endpoints, select the most relevant comparators, and understand the evolving competitive field. The goal was simple: design a trial that leads to approval and real-world adoption.

The analysis

We started with a rapid but thorough appraisal of the indication. This included treatment guidelines, clinical expectations, and the drivers behind recent approvals. Drawing on internal expertise, clinical trial databases, HTA records, and global regulatory filings, our consultants mapped the full landscape. We then examined the trajectory of emerging competitors and uncovered patterns in how recent trials had succeeded or failed. These findings were translated into clear, strategic insights for our client’s trial design.

The solution

We delivered a focused set of strategic recommendations hosted in our secure delivery portal for easy access and collaboration. These included relevant comparators backed by clinical guidelines, a rationale for endpoints supported by regulatory and payer decisions, and a competitor map showing exactly where our client’s asset could stand out. By identifying what matters most to decision makers, we helped them design a trial that would withstand scrutiny and support a strong value proposition.

The value to the client

Our client moved forward with confidence. They had a well-structured trial design, grounded in clinical and commercial logic. The insights helped them make informed trade-offs, articulate their strategy, and prepare for the next phase of development with conviction.

Ongoing support

To ensure lasting value, we transformed the key insights into an interactive knowledge base. This tool now supports their teams with real-time competitor updates, dynamic trial tracking, and a place to store and revisit regulatory intelligence as the landscape evolves. The strategy continues to adapt as the asset progresses, without needing to start from scratch.

Louise Street-Docherty
The biggest mistake in trial design is thinking success ends with regulatory approval. From the start, we shaped this Phase 3 study around the full asset journey. We aligned endpoints that satisfy regulators with outcomes that matter to HTA bodies, and chose comparators that reflect the evolving standard of care. When strategy and science move together, you get trials that stand up in the real world.
Dr Louise Street-Docherty · VP Strategic Intelligence

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