Almustat is actively involved in various significant research projects aimed at advancing clinical trial methodologies and cancer treatment. Below are our major initiatives:

BENEFIT (Biostatistical Estimation of Net Effects for Individualization of Therapy)

In partnership with Bristol Myers Squibb, EORTC, UCL, University Hospital and Cancer Center of Lyon, and with the support of the Walloon Region and Biowin, Almustat is developing a novel statistical methodology called Generalized Pairwise Comparisons (GPC). The GPC method aims to complement traditional methods for clinical trial design, analysis, and interpretation, with dedicated software also being developed to facilitate its application.

• Interested? Ask for a copy of the article: Assessing Treatment Benefit in Immuno‑oncology by Marc Buyse, Everardo D. Saad, Tomasz Burzykowski, and Julien Péron here.

TREATBEST (TREATment of Breast Cancer with Epigenetic Specific Tools)

Since January 2017, Almustat has partnered in the TREATBEST project, granted by Biowin, the Walloon cluster of Biotechnology. The primary goal is to validate a CE-marked in vitro diagnostic kit based on a DNA methylation signature, which predicts the benefit of neoadjuvant anthracycline/taxane chemotherapy for non-metastatic, primary triple-negative breast cancer patients.

• Almustat’s Role:

  • Clinical validation of the DNA methylation signature.
  • Study design, set-up, analysis, and reporting for the retrospective study.
  • Design and statistical support for prospective study and analytical validation.

• Read More: Find the BIOWIN Newsletter (July 2017) titled “Deux projets de R&D dans les starting-blocks” for additional details.

BRAVO (Biomarker Retrospective Analysis for Validation Optimization)

The BRAVO project, supported by EuroTransbio, is a collaborative effort between Almustat, Pamgene, VUMC, and I-Biostat to conduct biomarker retrospective analysis for optimal validation.

SMART (Statistical Monitoring Applied to Research Trials)

Supported by the Walloon Region and Biowin, Almustat has developed statistical software called SMART for monitoring data heterogeneity across investigative centers. After over a decade of development, we launched CluePoints in 2012—a Central Statistical Monitoring tool based on the SMART™ engine. Visit www.cluepoints.com for more information.

• SMART Scientific Advisory Board:
  • Stephen L. George, PhD – Professor of Biostatistics, Duke University School of Medicine, Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Durham, NC.
  • Stephen Evans, BA, MSc, C Stat, FRCP – Professor of Pharmacoepidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Medical Statistics Unit, London, UK.
  • Eleanor McFadden, MA, AMBCS – Managing Director, Frontier Science (Scotland) Ltd, Board Member, Society for Clinical Trials, Perth, UK.

These initiatives reflect Almustat’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of clinical research, ensuring the highest quality standards, and developing innovative methodologies to improve patient outcomes.