The 6th Annual Phase I Clinical Trials Conference Day 4: Post-event workshop, 17th June 2005

Post-conference Workshop I: The thorough QT study – beyond the learning curve

Registration will commence at 09:00 for a 09:30 start. The workshop will finish no later than 17:00.

The increased focus on drug induced repolarisation abnormalities and its potential outcomes have triggered recent regulatory programmes, culminating in the current ICH (E14) initiative. At the centre of these regulatory initiatives is the need for a well designed and powered Through QT (TQT) Study. During the early period of compliance, and with the evolving E14 guidance document, the TQT study design and implementation has changed dramatically. The current workshop is intended to provide practical advice based on the individual and collective experience of leading experts in the field of Cardiac Safety and regulatory compliance.

Key topics

  • The evolving ICH-E14 draft QT guidance document
  • ICH-E14 regional variations – further challenges for compliance
  • Design and analysis considerations for Thorough QT/QTc Study
  • Statistical considerations to meet regulatory power requirements
  • Novel analysis methods of QT and cardiac safety outcomes
  • Avoiding pitfalls in design and implementation of TQT studies

About your workshop leader

Boaz Mendzelevski, M.D., Director of Cardiology, Covance Cardiac Safety Services, brings expert knowledge in clinical and interventional cardiology and electrophysiology and long experience in the core ECG laboratory concept for clinical trials. Dr. Mendzelevski has been a pioneer in establishing the role of Safety Cardiology in drug development clinical research and a founder of a leading international core ECG lab. He was involved in all stages of drug development clinical trials since 1995, from protocol development, through trial monitoring, data acquisition, statistical analysis, expert reporting and regulatory representation. Dr Mendzelevski's research interests are in predictors of arrhythmias and in particular the QT interval. He has served on several Data Safety Monitoring Boards and advisory committees and has been working closely with pharma sponsors as an expert cardiology consultant. His consultancy work involves issues of regulatory cardiac safety including data analysis and interpretation of cardiac related study outcomes. He authored 200 regulatory expert cardiology reports.

Post-conference Workshop II: Project Management in Exploratory Clinical Research: Critical Chain Management and Six Sigma

Registration will commence at 09:00 for a 09:30 start. The workshop will finish no later than 17:00.

The workshop will explore the application of novel methodologies in exploratory/early stage research, which exhibits clear differences from other business environments in which these methodologies have been successfully applied and demonstrate the possibilities for substantial process and outcome improvement that can be delivered. As this first stage of clinical research by definition is a foray into the realm of the unknown, even the potentially optimal of the process being initiated can't be accurately foretold and is itself a variable. The first section of the workshop will demonstrate how the desired outcome of project management in exploratory development should be the initiation and harmonisation of a range of tests and processes, while setting clear goals to project teams. Current paradigms suggest the setting out of defined systems and benchmarks by clinical phase against which progress can be measured. The workshop will show how.

The workshop will focus on Critical Chain Management and Lean Six Sigma

With CCM, clinical projects can be completed more quickly and with more reliable scheduling, as uncertainty is managed by padding task durations, starting work as early as possible, multi-tasking, and focusing on meeting commitment dates. The workshop will demonstrate how critical chain management can improve delivery on all targets.

The workshop will also examine the potential for application of Lean Six Sigma in exploratory development (Phase I research). Lean Six Sigma uses data and statistical analyses to measure and improve a company's operational performance by identifying and eliminating defects in processes. Historically, Six Sigma has been mainly used in the manufacturing process but the benefits to research and development (R&D) processes have recently been highlighted, in particular applications in exploratory development.

  • The quality of information will be improved, delivering the possibility of more firmly backed up early-stage leads
  • Improved project/process co-ordination will increase the amount of research performed and the time taken to do so
  • Ultimately raise the number of successful experimental candidates


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