Latest news: cloud computing in pharma 

Healthcare research technology company Clario has launched a new cloud-based comprehensive, intuitive solution, Image Viewer, for clinical trials. 

The Image Viewer tool, which is data privacy compliant, enables contract research organisations (CROs) and sponsors to view clinical trial images. 

Using the tool, they can also get access to read-quality images in near real-time, with the help of an intuitive web-based imaging viewer. 

By streamlining the process, the Image Viewer tool eliminates manual steps and makes accessing the images easier and more secure. 

For complete resolution, it provides viewing and manipulation tools and allows end users to obtain valuable insights into trial participants. 

The tool enables easy electronic image accessibility within a streamlined, completely integrated platform and process. 

Clario R&D senior vice-president Gaurav Josan said: “At Clario, we are committed to accelerating clinical trials by solving complex problems; and this world-class Image Viewer is a leap in that direction by providing powerful insights to clients early on. 

“The cloud-native Image Viewer is an innovative tool incorporating advanced usability features and is custom built, working closely with our in-house radiologists specifically for clinical trial needs." 

Earlier, several groups were involved in the image transfer process for viewing clinical trial images. This added the risk of delays and potential errors to an already complex process. 

Clario Medical Imaging executive vice-president Brad Dean said: “We expect our cloud-based Image Viewer to greatly simplify and accelerate viewing images during clinical trials. 

“We have a long history of innovation in medical imaging for clinical trials. This new offering is unmatched in the market, providing user-friendly image access minimising cost, time and risk.”  

Last November, Clario selected the GlobalLink Applanga technology, a cloud-based translation management system of TransPerfect, to optimise the translation processes. 

SOPHiA GENETICS is expanding its collaboration with AstraZeneca to include multimodal approaches for developing cancer drugs. 

This collaboration aims to use the global SOPHiA DDM platform, a cloud-native platform of SOPHiA GENETICS, and multimodal algorithmic capabilities for AstraZeneca’s oncology portfolio. 

SOPHiA GENETICS’ platform can analyse data and produce insights from complex multimodal data sets and different diagnostic modalities. 

The company expects that its platform and multimodal capabilities will lead to a new era of precision oncology by improving early diagnosis and patient identification, accelerating innovative medicines adoption along the care pathway and optimising clinical development. 

The multimodal approach will combine radiomics analysis of molecular data, medical imaging data, digital pathology, and clinical and biologic data for a comprehensive evaluation of multimodal signatures using AI and machine learning technology. 

SOPHiA GENETICS and AstraZeneca will together examine ways to expedite clinical trials and improve clinical decision-making. 

They will also support evidence generation for market access and help clinicians choose the best possible treatments. 

SOPHiA GENETICS chief biopharma officer Peter Casasanto said: “AstraZeneca is a global leader in innovative oncology therapeutics and has built one of the most diverse and robust oncology portfolios and R&D pipelines in the industry. 

“Building on our existing partnership with AstraZeneca, notably to expand access to HRD testing, we are incredibly excited to deepen our collaboration to multimodal approaches that will further enable their precision oncology capabilities.” 

In addition, the company introduced its real-world DEEP-Lung-IV study by using its multimodal machine learning-powered analytics capabilities to identify multimodal predictive response signatures to immunotherapy for advanced lung cancer patients. 

AstraZeneca Oncology Europe & Canada senior vice-president Greg Rossi said: “Multimodality aims to harness the power of advanced AI and machine learning models by integrating multiple data modalities to obtain key insights which inform prognosis and response to therapy at the individual patient level. 

“This approach is synergistic with AstraZeneca’s focus on developing personalised cancer treatment and has the potential to elevate precision oncology, currently driven by genomic-based biomarkers, into a truly multimodal connected health ecosystem.” 

Tech-enabled, next-generation contract research organisation (CRO) Vial has announced a partnership to integrate Egnyte’s Life Sciences electronic trial master file (eTMF) solution into its clinical trial platform. 

Egnyte eTMF minimises document processing times and maintains compliance while increasing audit readiness for life sciences companies. 

Vial Clinical Operations vice-president Joshua Ondatje said: “By integrating Egnyte’s eTMF, Vial will be able to offer our clients the gold standard in eTMF management, compliance, and audit readiness. We’re thrilled to be able to constantly increase the bar in clinical trial technology.” 

Leveraging Egnyte’s solution, clinical development professionals will be able to create an eTMF for managing several documents that are gathered through a trial. 

Additionally, the professionals can ensure proper storage and management of these documents. 

Vial will integrate the automation features of the solution into its end-to-end clinical trial technology stack and can offer automated document upload, review, approval, and storage. 

With the help of the eTMF solution, clinical development professionals can simply manage, review, and stay on track with milestones and expedite TMF creation. 

The eTMF solution meets GxP and FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements and helps the professionals stay audit-ready while maintaining compliance in a Cloud-based solution. 

Egnyte Life Sciences vice-president Ronen Vengosh said: “Egnyte’s eTMF solution is designed to meet the needs of the growing class of emerging and midsize biosciences companies. 

“By capitalising on the simplicity and ease of the Egnyte for Life Sciences platform, Vial will be able to alleviate the data management burdens associated with trial studies, so clinical teams can focus on their core mission, getting safe and effective treatments to market quickly.” 

In November last year, Vial added Next Oncology, a worldwide Phase I cancer research clinics network, to its Preferred Sit.