Considerations in Leveraging Open-Source Tools in the Analysis and Reporting of Clinical Trials Data – Meta-Analysis Tools

Oregon Convention Center 

Open-source tools have gained acceptance in the pharmaceutical industry and their use continues on an upward trajectory. This phenomenon is likely to continue as more companies get more familiar and comfortable in the routine use of open-source tools in planning, data exploration, reporting, and in submission work. Open-source tools offer many advantages relative to commercial software in terms of cost, cross-pharma collaboration, and innovation and often incorporate cutting age ideas and functionality, for example in data exploration and visualization. As one might expect, these tools come with varying degrees of complexity, functionality, accompanying documentation, and challenges. This presentation will discuss some considerations in leveraging open-source tools in the analysis and reporting of clinical trial data and some of the emerging trends and the landscape. The presentation will discuss some considerations regarding good practice in the development and use of open-source software for exploratory and reporting purposes in clinical trials and their use in regulatory submissions. Some open-source tools for meta-analysis will be highlighted for illustration purposes.