Key Takeaways from Caidya’s Trial Trends & Table Talk Event at OCT East Coast 2026
Following Day One of Outsourcing Clinical Trials East Coast in New Brunswick, NJ, Caidya hosted clients, partners, and industry peers for an evening dinner discussion focused on the trends reshaping clinical development. The Trial Trends & Table Talk event brought together leaders across operations, clinical development, data management, and strategy to discuss the realities facing sponsors and CROs today — from artificial intelligence and global trial execution to funding pressures and patient-centricity. The discussion was lead by two of Caidya’s operational leaders: VP & Head, Global Project Management, Tracy Cyr and VP, Rare Disease & Pediatrics, Jonathan Kornstein.
While the topics covered varied widely, one theme remained consistent throughout the evening: the future of clinical research will require organizations to balance technological innovation with human expertise, operational agility, and patient focus.
China’s Expanding Role in Clinical Development
One of the most discussed topics of the evening was China’s growing importance in global clinical trials. Participants noted that sponsors are increasingly conducting studies across both China and Western markets, driven by faster recruitment opportunities, evolving and regulatory processes in China.
According to the discussion, China’s regulatory timelines have accelerated significantly in recent years, with some attendees describing approval timelines as increasingly comparable to those in the United States. However, the true advantage lies in patient recruitment. Speakers emphasized that China’s large and often untapped patient populations can dramatically improve enrollment rates, particularly in rare disease and oncology studies.
At the same time, panelists acknowledged the operational complexity of running global studies involving China. Unlike in the U.S. and Europe, where electronic medical record systems and prevalence databases can help identify patient populations, access to this type of data in China remains more limited. As a result, successful enrollment strategies often depend heavily on local expertise and “boots on the ground” relationships with academic institutions and investigators.
AI Is Accelerating Clinical Operations, But Human Oversight Remains Essential
Artificial intelligence was another dominant topic throughout the evening. Across clinical operations, data management, and analytics, attendees discussed how AI-enabled technologies are beginning to transform traditional workflows.
Examples shared during the discussion included the possibility of dramatically reducing database build timelines, automating portions of protocol generation, and enhancing centralized monitoring capabilities through advanced analytics. Several participants noted that tasks which historically required weeks or months may soon be completed in days.
However, despite the excitement surrounding AI, many speakers urged caution against over-automation. A recurring point throughout the discussion was that technology should support human expertise rather than replace it.
Participants highlighted concerns about relying too heavily on AI-generated outputs without applying scientific judgment or operational experience. Poorly designed historical protocols, flawed data trends, or inaccurate assumptions can easily be replicated at scale if organizations depend entirely on automated systems. Several attendees stressed that while AI can identify patterns and accelerate workflows, human oversight remains essential for interpreting data correctly and making informed decisions.
The conversation also explored the idea that the next phase of innovation may not simply involve introducing new technologies, but fundamentally redesigning workflows around them. As one attendee noted, simply layering technology onto existing inefficient processes is unlikely to deliver meaningful transformation. Instead, organizations will need to rethink how work gets done if they hope to realize the full potential of AI and automation.
Funding and Therapeutic Priorities Continue to Shift
Another major theme was the changing funding environment for emerging biopharma companies. Participants observed that venture capital firms have become increasingly risk-averse, often requiring stronger proof-of-concept data before investing in early-stage programs.
This shift is having a direct impact on the therapeutic areas attracting investment. According to attendees, oncology and cardio-metabolic programs continue seeing strong momentum, particularly as interest around GLP-1 therapies expands. Meanwhile, some areas such as neuroscience and portions of the gene therapy space have experienced reduced investment following several high-profile clinical setbacks.
As traditional venture funding becomes more selective, some emerging biotechs are increasingly turning to family offices and alternative financing sources to continue advancing development programs. Participants suggested that broader economic conditions and future government policy changes could significantly influence how funding trends evolve over the next several years.
Patient-Centricity Must Be Built Into Trial Design
Beyond operational and technology trends, the event also focused heavily on patient-centric clinical development. Speakers emphasized that patient-centricity cannot simply be an add-on to a protocol; it must begin before the study is even designed.
Several attendees discussed the importance of understanding the patient journey, particularly in rare disease and pediatric studies. This includes considering caregiver burden, travel requirements, clinic visit length, side effects, and the day-to-day realities patients and caregivers face while participating in a trial.
Participants noted that designing studies around patient needs can improve recruitment, retention, and overall data quality. Simplifying schedules of events, reducing unnecessary endpoints, and minimizing patient burden were all identified as important strategies for improving trial participation and engagement.
The discussion also explored how sponsors can better engage with patient communities before studies begin. Some attendees highlighted the value of listening to digital conversations and social media discussions within patient communities to better understand disease experiences and unmet needs. Rather than using social platforms solely for recruitment, organizations can use them to gain insight into how patients actually experience their conditions and clinical care.
Remembering the Human Impact of Clinical Research
While much of the evening focused on operational trends and future technologies, some of the most impactful moments came from conversations about patients themselves.
Attendees shared stories of patients whose lives had been changed through clinical trials, including one speaker who described a patient participating in multiple oncology studies who is now in full remission years after initially being told he had little time left. Others discussed the importance of bringing patients and sites into company meetings so teams can hear firsthand about the impact clinical research has on people’s lives.
These conversations served as an important reminder that behind every protocol, timeline, and dataset are real patients and families depending on clinical research to create new treatment options and improve outcomes.
Looking Ahead
Caidya’s Trial Trends & Table Talk event highlighted an industry navigating significant transformation. AI, globalization, evolving funding models, and operational innovation are all reshaping how clinical trials are designed and executed. Yet throughout the discussion, participants repeatedly returned to the same conclusion: technology alone will not define the future of clinical research.
Success will depend on organizations that can combine innovation with scientific judgment, operational flexibility, and a continued commitment to patient-centered development. As the industry moves into what many attendees described as a true “implementation phase” for emerging technologies, maintaining that balance may become more important than ever.