Capturing circulating tumor data in RWD: A new frontier for cancer research
Cancer is an insidious disease. Even after surgery or aggressive systemic therapy, malignant cells often take refuge in hard-to-identify places in the body before emerging again to cause recurring illness. For many years, researchers have been looking for more effective, less invasive ways to spot residual cancer cells after therapy to better gauge the impact […]
RWD and the FDA: Top trends to watch for pharma companies
The FDA plays an incredibly important role in the process of developing, distributing, and monitoring therapeutic products. So when something changes at the FDA, the entire life sciences community sits up and takes notice. In recent months, those changes have come fast and furious as the new administration seeks to put its priorities into action. […]
Solving for Missingness: Enhancing the Utility of Real-World Data for Oncology Research
Real-world data (RWD) from electronic health records (EHRs) is increasingly recognized as a powerful asset for oncology research. It enables stakeholders across industry and academia to evaluate treatment patterns, assess comparative effectiveness, identify safety signals, and inform regulatory and market access strategies. RWD has supported external control arms, augmented clinical trial enrollment, and generated post-marketing […]
Welcoming the Next Generation: COTA’s 2025 Summer Interns
At COTA, we believe the future of healthcare is shaped not only by innovation and data but by people. Each summer, we’re excited to welcome a group of bright, driven interns who bring fresh perspectives, unique talents, and a shared passion for meaningful impact. This year is no exception. Our 2025 intern class includes students […]
How RWD and AI Can Accelerate Drug Development for Common Cancers: Q&A with Dr. C.K. Wang
As incidence rates for many common cancers continue to rise – breast, prostate, colorectal, pancreatic, and others – life sciences teams need high-quality cancer real-world data (RWD) to power their research and help develop lifesaving treatments. Building on our expertise in curating RWD for hematologic cancers, which are blood-based cancers such as multiple myeloma, COTA […]
Four Ways Pharmaceutical Companies Are De-Risking R&D with Real-World Data
Four Ways Pharmaceutical Companies Are De-Risking R&D with Real-World Data Pharmaceutical research and development is inherently complex and high-risk. Sponsors must ensure that investigational products demonstrate both strong therapeutic efficacy and an acceptable safety profile. At the same time, they must manage escalating costs, lengthy timelines, and increasing expectations from regulators, payers, and patients. Despite […]
Sounds of Support: COTA & Friends Unite for Young Adults with Cancer
Cancer affects everyone, including adolescents and young adults who are at increasing risk of developing certain types of disease. It’s a particularly challenging time of life to receive a cancer diagnosis. Many cancers in younger patients can be aggressive, and treatment can be complicated, expensive, painful, and isolating for young people who should be focused […]
Extending COTA’s global reach with RWD in oncology research
Cancer is a disease that respects no borders: it affects everyone around the world, no matter where they live. The universal nature of cancer makes it even more important for international partners to collaborate on research and share learnings to improve outcomes everywhere, from the Americas to Europe, Africa to Asia, and beyond. This year, […]
3 key takeaways from ASCO 2025: Staying nimble in a changing environment
3 key takeaways from ASCO 2025: Staying nimble in a changing environment The annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) is a chance for oncology professionals, patient advocates, data experts, and industry representatives to come together and share the latest research in cancer care. This year, thousands of attendees descended on Chicago […]
How real-world ovarian cancer data will improve outcomes for women
As we recognize Women’s Health Month and approach Mother’s Day, this is a chance to lead differently. We can ask better questions. We can design smarter trials. We can act on data that reflects real life, not just ideal scenarios. One in eight women will develop breast cancer during their lifetime. This year alone in […]
