Trials with Maya Z

Clinical trials are evolving, but are we innovating fast enough? In this episode Maya sits down with Philip Raeth from Palleos Healthcare to explore how new trial designs can challenge the status quo. From adaptive methodologies to efficiency-driven models, we discuss how rethinking trial structure can help us tackle industry-wide hurdles—not just in patient recruitment and retention, but in trial execution, costs, and outcomes. What does the future of clinical trials look like? Tune in as we brainstorm new possibilities. Follow Philip Raeth: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-raeth-51911114/ Follow Maya Zlatanova: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayazlatanova/

Paul Simms is the CEO of Impatient Health and a trailblazing voice in the life sciences industry. Paul is on a mission to push the boundaries of pharma. He works with innovators and early adopters to inject “mutation pressure” into the status quo, ensuring bold ideas and creative solutions make their way into the market. Drawing on his experience as a speaker, event organizer, and consultant, Paul discusses how pharma can evolve to truly align with patients’ needs. Together, with Maya they explore the intersection of innovation, behavioral science, and systemic transformation in healthcare. What You’ll Learn: - Why Paul believes the pharma industry is still in its infancy and how it can grow. - What “mutation pressure” means and how it can drive innovation in pharma. - The critical role of patient engagement and behavioral science in improving healthcare outcomes. - How Paul’s work with major pharma companies has shaped his views on the future of the industry. - Practical lessons from other industries, including fashion and tech, that pharma can adopt.

In this episode of Trials with Maya Z, Maya and patient expert and advocate Orit Rindner discuss the intersection of patient needs and clinical trials, highlighting real-world challenges and insights from rare disease research: Follow Maya Zlatanova: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayazlatanova/ Follow Orit Rindner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oritrindner/

"Only 1-4% of global healthcare R&D funding is dedicated to female-specific conditions beyond cancer, despite women representing 51% of the population.” Meet Estelle Jobson - an EUPATI Fellow and a patient advocate living with endometriosis. In this episode, Maya and Estelle discuss the limitations of standard care for this chronic condition and call for research that addresses its diverse symptoms. Follow Maya Zlatanova: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayazlatanova/ Follow Estelle Jobson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/estelle-jobson-27389821/

Join Maya Zlatanova and Ritesh Patel from Finn Partners as they dive into the evolving world of real-world data in clinical trials. Discover the challenges of integrating diverse patient data, the role of social determinants in trial outcomes, and how emerging technologies like AI and digital biomarkers are set to revolutionize the industry. Packed with insights on collaboration and innovation, this episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about transforming healthcare through data-driven strategies. Follow Maya Zlatanova: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayazlatanova/ Follow Ritesh Patel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/riteshpatel/

Ella Balasa has experience on both sides of the research spectrum - as a patient with cystic fibrosis and as a scientist examining antibiotic-resistant bacteria. She is on a mission to amplify patient voices in drug development. In this episode Ella and Maya discuss: Follow Maya Zlatanova: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayazlatanova/ Follow Ella Balasa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ella-balasa/

Meet Jan Poleszczuk, a mathematician turned healthcare innovator and a CTO of CliniNote. In this episode Maya and Jan talk about: - The top 3 challenges hindering the quality of RWD - How CliniNote is helping doctors generate quality data while simplifying their workflow - The potential of RWD in clinical trials Tune in to explore the good, the bad, and the ugly of Real-World Data and how innovators like Jan Poleszczuk are working to unlock its full potential to improve patient care and drive healthcare innovation. Follow Maya on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayazlatanova/ Follow Jan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-poleszczuk-70200117/ Learn more about CliniNote: https://clininote.com/

Meet Esther Howard, Mental Health Advocate, Researcher and CEO of Bezyl. In this conversation, Esther shares her unique perspective on the importance of understanding patient journey, not just as a scientific necessity, but as a fundamental human duty for researchers. Esther explores the three critical prongs of patient journey: standard of care, the specifics of the patient's disease, and the often-overlooked aspects of their daily lives. She emphasizes the need for researchers to look beyond the protocol and embrace a more holistic view of patients' experiences, arguing that by embracing our human duty to understand and empathize with patients' experiences, we can not only advance scientific knowledge but also create a more compassionate and patient-centric approach to clinical research. Follow Maya Zlatanova: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayazlatanova/ Follow Esther Howard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/esther-howard-7352b3b3/ Learn more about Bezyl: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bezyl/

Meet Heidi Floyd, a breast cancer survivor, patient advocate, and champion for transforming clinical trials through authentic patient engagement. In this powerful episode, Heidi shares her remarkable journey of navigating cancer treatment while pregnant.Heidi emphasizes the critical importance of building meaningful relationships between patients, healthcare providers, and clinical trial teams. She discusses the common reasons patients may choose to quit clinical trials and the need for greater understanding and support of patient circumstances. Follow Maya Zlatanova: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayazlatanova/ Follow Heidi Floyd: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidi-floyd-b89b179/

Meet Travis Caudill, Vice President of Feasibility and Clinical Informatics at ICON, a seasoned expert in the world of clinical trial optimization. Discover how Travis and his team are navigating the complexities of trial feasibility—using data to optimize site selection, understanding local patient journeys, and anticipating changes in the standard of care. Follow Maya Zlatanova: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayazlatanova/ Follow Travis Caudill: https://www.linkedin.com/in/feasibility/

Ilknur Lechthaler is an expert in clinical operations, research, and startup investments. Ilknur discusses how the industry's awareness of the significance of country-specific standard of care has evolved over the past decade. Together with Maya they dive into the practical aspects of country selection and the factors that influence decision-making, such as regulatory requirements, timelines, and budget constraints. Follow Maya Zlatanova: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayazlatanova/ Follow Ilknur Lechthaler: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilknur-lechthaler/

Meet Todd Georgieff - a veteran in drug development and clinical operations with expertise in optimizing global trials. In this episode, Todd and Maya explore the critical aspects of protocol optimization and patient burden quantification. How does understanding local standard of care impact trial success? What are the ethical implications of providing treatments in different healthcare systems? Todd shares insights on these questions and more. Follow Maya Zlatanova: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayazlatanova/ Follow Todd Georgieff: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddgeorgieff/

Meet Kasia Harris - an expert in clinical trial feasibility and planning with experience in both CRO and Pharma. bringing valuable insights into the complexities of global healthcare systems. In this episode, Kasia and Maya delve into the critical role of understanding local standard of care in clinical trial success. They explore feasibility assessments, protocol, country, and site-specific considerations. Kasia highlights how standard of care impacts patient enrollment, country and site selection, and overall trial efficiency. This episode is a must listen for anyone involved in planning or conducting international clinical trials. Follow Maya Zlatanova: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayazlatanova/ Follow Kasia Harris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kasia-harris-md-16316b44/

Meet Annabel de Maria Bosch - the Chief Patient Officer at Alira Health with nearly three decades of experience in patient engagement across the pharmaceutical industry. In this insightful conversation, Annabel shares her unique perspective on the critical importance of understanding the patient journey and its impact on clinical trial success. Follow Maya Zlatanova: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayazlatanova/ Follow Annabel de Maria Bosch: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annabeldemaria/ Annabel shares some very curious studies in the episode: 1)Stergiopoulos et al., Measuring the Impact of Patient Engagement and Patient Centricity in Clinical Research and Development (2020); 2)Levitan et al., Assessing the Financial Value of Patient Engagement: A Quantitative Approach from CTTI’s Patient Groups and Clinical Trials Project (2018); 3)Getz, Establishing Return-on-Investment Expectations for Patient-Centric Initiatives (2015)

Meet Joy Milne, a remarkable woman whose unique sense of smell is revolutionizing the world of Parkinson's research. In this episode, Joy shares her personal story of love, loss, and unwavering determination to make a difference in the lives of those affected by Parkinson's, from her groundbreaking work with researchers at the University of Manchester to her advocacy for greater awareness of the challenges faced by women with the disease. Follow Maya Zlatanova: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayazlatanova/ Learn more about Joy Milne and her work:

Meet Ted Trafford - a seasoned clinical research expert with nearly three decades of experience and a passion for driving innovation in the industry. As the Director of Business Development at Probity Medical Research, Ted brings unique insights into the challenges faced by sites, sponsors, and patients in the clinical trial landscape. Follow Maya Zlatanova: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayazlatanova/ Follow Ted Trafford: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tedtrafford/ Check out Ted's post mentioned in the episode: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/tedtrafford_clinical-trial-marathon-activity-7221841156958011392-tb1e

Meet Angie Schwab - founder of EZ Research Solutions and a passionate expert in clinical research with a focus on improving trial startup processes. In this episode, Angie and Maya dive deep into the challenges and solutions in clinical trial design and execution. Angie shares her insights on the critical importance of thorough planning, understanding local standards of care, and involving all stakeholders - including patients - in study design. They explore how poor initial planning can set trials up for failure and discuss innovative solutions, including the role of automation and AI in streamlining processes and reducing errors. Angie's vision for the future of clinical trials, emphasizing digitalization, standardization, and intelligent study design from the ground up, offers a compelling look at the evolving landscape of clinical research. Follow Maya Zlatanova: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayazlatanova/ Follow Angie Schwab: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angie-schwab/

Meet Begonya Nafria - Head of the Patient Engagement in Research Department at Hospital Sant Juan de Déu Children’s Hospital, championing the cause of paediatric clinical research. In this eye-opening episode, Begonya and Maya delve into the unique challenges of conducting clinical trials for children, especially those with rare diseases. Begonya highlights the startling fact that 95% of rare diseases have no approved treatment, emphasizing the urgent need for increased research investment and improved access to cross-border clinical trials for children and young patients in Europe . This conversation underscores the importance of meaningful patient engagement in designing better trials and ultimately improving care outcomes for children and young people. Follow Maya Zlatanova: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayazlatanova/ Follow Begonya Nafria: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bnafria/ Let’s help Begonya's project on language discrimination in cross-border trials: If you’re a parent of a child with a rare disease, please collaborate by responding to this survey (available in 22 European languages): https://bit.ly/Survey_Parents_CT If you’re interested in getting involved as an AMBASSADOR for Begonya’s research project on language discrimination in access to paediatric cross-border clinical trials in Europe, please complete this form: https://bit.ly/CT_Ambassadors

Dan Sfera really needs no introduction - founder of the Clinical Trials Guru he has been publishing content in the clinical research space since 2010. In this episode, Dan and Maya talk about the challenges of patient recruitment and retention, explore the importance of considering clinical trials as a care option, and the implications of not prioritizing the patient perspective in trial design. Follow Maya Zlatanova: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayazlatanova/ Follow Dan Sfera: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dansfera

Meet Robert Joyce - a patient advocate living with multiple chronic illnesses who has turned his experiences into a powerful voice for change in healthcare. In this episode, Robert and Maya explore the complex journey of living with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis, asthma, sarcoidosis, and chronic pain. They discuss the critical importance of including patient voices in clinical trial design, the impact of local standard of care on treatment decisions, and the need for improved communication and transparency in healthcare. Robert's insights shed light on the real-world implications of reimbursement rules, access to treatment, and the diversity of patient experiences in clinical trials. Follow Maya Zlatanova: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayazlatanova/ Follow Robert Joyce: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/A30MinuteLife Twitter: https://twitter.com/A30MinuteLife Blog: https://www.A30MinuteLife.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/A30MinuteLife/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4QT-lK_dIzrHLdqGqatZ_g LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/a30minutelife/