Ontada Illuminates the Power of its Real-World Evidence to Improve Health Outcomes for People with Cancer at ISPOR 2025
Article content
Article content
BOSTON — Ontada ®, a McKesson business and leader in community oncology real-world data, clinical education, and point of care technologies, today announced more than 14 abstracts at The Professional Society for Health Economics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) 2025 Annual Meeting taking place May 13-16, 2025 in Montreal, Canada. Ontada's presence at the conference includes a podium presentation and 13 research posters. Ontada researchers will also lead a workshop on successful models for growing patient engagement in health economic outcomes research and an issue panel on the readiness of social determinants of health data.
Article content
'Our extensive research portfolio underscores our commitment to driving meaningful advancements in patient care in oncology,' said Amy O'Sullivan, PhD, Senior Vice President and Chief Research Officer, Ontada. 'Our significant presence at ISPOR 2025 demonstrates the role we can play in powering important real world evidence generation evaluating the value, safety, and efficacy of cancer therapies in the real world.'
Article content
Highlights of Ontada's presence at ISPOR 2025 include:
Article content
Podium Presentation – Introduction of Distress Thermometer (DT) Screening in the US Community Oncology Setting: A Retrospective Study of Electronic Health Records (EHR) Integration: This study evaluated DT utilization following EHR implementation in 2023 across a large network of US community oncology clinics.
Poster – Evolving Real-world Trends in Biomarker Testing for Bladder Cancer: A Comprehensive Retrospective Analysis from the US Community Oncology Setting (2015-2024): This study examined real-world trends in biomarker testing for BC within a US community oncology network over the past decade.
Poster – Assessing the Correlation between Time to Metastatic Disease and Overall Survival in a Real-World Pan-Tumor Cohort: To understand the potential of TTMd as a proxy endpoint, this study assessed the relationship between TTMd and OS among patients with several solid tumor types in the community oncology setting.
Poster – Evidence for the Cumulative Impact of Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) on Cancer Mortality: A Scoping Review: This scoping review evaluated the breadth of evidence published on the relationship between SDOH and cancer mortality, aiming to distinguish key concepts, common methodologies, and knowledge gaps.
Poster – Development and Application of a Novel Framework for Clinician Stakeholder Engagement in Real-world Data (RWD) Studies: This study developed a conceptual framework for the integration of clinician stakeholder feedback into RWD investigations and report on three applied examples.
Poster – Accelerating EHR Insights: NLP-Driven Data Abstraction in Gallbladder Cancer: This study utilized natural language processing (NLP) to extract TNM staging and histology data from unstructured EHR documents to improve data completeness and accuracy.
Poster – Real-World Impact Of Recurrence On Overall Survival (OS) In Patients With Unresectable Locally Advanced (LA) Esophageal/Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer (EC/GEJC) Treated With Definitive Chemoradiotherapy (dCRT) In US Community Oncology Clinics: This study assessed the impact of recurrence on OS using real-world data.
Poster – Use of Sensitivity Analysis to Address Potential Missing Data and Selection Bias from Linked Genomics Datasets in a Real-World Study of Patients Receiving Immune-Checkpoint Inhibitors for Metastatic Melanoma: This study investigates the use of sensitivity analysis to address such bias from a linked genomics database in patients treated with immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) for metastatic melanoma.
Poster – Utilizing NLP to Enhance EHR Data Abstraction Accuracy in Waldenström Macroglobulinemia: To improve data completeness and accuracy, natural language processing (NLP) was applied to extract diagnoses and dates from unstructured pathology reports for Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM), a rare B-cell neoplasm.
Poster – Validation of Real-World Pathologic Complete Response in Early Stage Triple Negative Breast Cancer: This retrospective observational study examined the concordance between rwpCR and KEYNOTE-522 trial 'chemotherapy only' arm pCR estimates.
Poster – Real-World Treatment Patterns of First-Line (1L) Ibrutinib in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/ Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (CLL/SLL): Insights into Therapy Interruptions, Discontinuation and Next Treatment: Given the evolving treatment landscape and continued reliance on ibrutinib despite availability of newer targeted therapies, this real-world study aimed to characterize treatment patterns in CLL/SLL patients who began first-line (1L) ibrutinib-based regimens between 11/21/2019 and 7/31/2023 in The US Oncology Network.
Poster – Implementation of New Real-World Data Quality Frameworks and Initiatives to Address Challenges in Oncology Electronic Health Record (EHR)-Derived Databases for Research: This study aims to summarize and implement new real-world data (RWD) quality frameworks and initiatives to improve the relevance, reliability, and external validity of oncology EHR-derived databases for research.
Poster – Real-World Breast Cancer gene 1 (BRCA1) and Breast Cancer gene 2 (BRCA2) Testing Trends by Race for Patients with Metastatic Prostate Cancer (mPC) from 2015 to 2024 in the Community Oncology Setting in the United States (US): This real-world analysis evaluated BCRA1/2 testing trends by race among patients with mPC within a large network of US community practices.
Poster – Validation of Real-World Recurrence-Free Survival (rwRFS) and Distant Metastasis-Free Survival(rwDMFS) Endpoints in Early-Stage Melanoma: This study applied trial emulation methods to examine the concordance between rREFS and rwDMFS estimates from the KEYNOTE-716 trial as a measure of real-world endpoint validity.
Issue Panel – Are Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) Data Ready for Primetime?: This session will debate the readiness of SDoH data to inform our efforts to address health disparities in the US.
Workshop – Integrating the Patient Voice: Successful Models of Continuous Engagement Science (CES) That Advance Data Science and Drug Development: This workshop will describe CES strategies to enhance trustworthiness in health economics and outcomes research (HEOR) studies among patients, the public, and other decision-maker communities.
Article content
For a comprehensive list of abstracts and presentations, visit Ontada's ISPOR 2025 Site.
Article content
Additionally, visit the Ontada Booth (#1221) at the Montreal Convention Centre from May 13-16 to explore the data presented at ISPOR 2025 and experience Ontada's solutions firsthand.
Article content
Ontada is an oncology technology and insights business dedicated to transforming the fight against cancer. Part of McKesson Corporation, Ontada was founded on the core belief that precise insights – delivered exactly at the point of need – can save more patients' lives. We connect the full patient journey by combining technologies used by The US Oncology Network and other community oncology providers with real-world data and research relied on by all top 15 global life sciences companies. Our work helps accelerate innovation and powers the future of cancer care. For more information, visit ontada.com.
Article content
It's an unprecedented time for patients living with cancer as life sciences companies race to create new, cutting-edge therapies. With cancer care becoming more targeted, providers, life sciences companies, and payers face a multitude of challenges and complexity in the development of new treatments and making them accessible to patients in need. At McKesson, our unmatched portfolio of oncology businesses and partners provide research, insights, technologies, and services that are helping to address these hurdles and improve cancer and specialty care.
Article content
McKesson is fueling discovery by helping patients participate in cutting-edge clinical trials closer to home through its joint venture, Sarah Cannon Research Institute.
The US Oncology Network and McKesson Provider Solutions are advancing specialty care and high-quality cancer care in the communities where patients live by supporting the practices of thousands of independent, community-based providers.
Ontada ®, a McKesson business dedicated to oncology, generates real-world data (RWD) and real-world evidence (RWE), and provides clinical education and provider technology to inform and improve cancer care.
As a leading distributor of oncology and specialty medicines, we are ensuring medicines make their way to those who are counting on them.
And through CoverMyMeds, Biologics by McKesson, and GPO services, our work continues to help patients access, afford, and adhere to their medicines.
Article content
Article content
Article content
Article content
Contacts
Article content
Article content
Article content
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Cision Canada
9 hours ago
- Cision Canada
Pendopharm® signs an exclusive distribution agreement with Neuraxpharm for PrBuccolam® in Canada and announces its approval by Health Canada Français
MONTREAL, Aug. 4, 2025 /CNW/ - Pendopharm, a division of Pharmascience Inc., is pleased to announce that it has entered into an exclusive distribution agreement with Neuraxpharm Group (Neuraxpharm), a leading European specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) disorders, headquartered in Düsseldorf, Germany. Under the terms of the agreement, Pendopharm ® will be responsible for the commercialization of Buccolam ® (Midazolam Hydrochloride Oromucosal Solution) in Canada. Buccolam ® is indicated for the treatment of prolonged, acute, convulsive seizures in children. Pendopharm ® is pleased to announce that Health Canada has approved Buccolam ®. About Epilepsy Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures of various types and severity. These seizures result from abnormal electrical activity in the brain and can be triggered by a range of factors, including structural abnormalities, brain inflammation, physical injury, trauma, infection, or unknown causes. It is estimated that the underlying cause of epilepsy remains undetermined in up to 50% of patients diagnosed with epilepsy. 1 Nearly 1 out of 100 Canadians live with epilepsy, and approximately 13% of them are children and youth. 1 Despite treatment with anti-seizure medications, some patients may experience prolonged acute convulsive seizures which require immediate intervention. Early treatment of acute seizures is critical to prevent escalation and improve patient outcomes. 2,3 Benzodiazepines, are considered first-line therapy for managing prolonged seizures. 4 Buccolam ® is an oromucosal solution of midazolam (a benzodiazepine) supplied in a ready-to-use, pre-filled syringes for buccal (absorbed in the mouth) administration. 5 "Prolonged convulsive seizures in pediatric patients can have significant short- and long-term impacts", said Dr. Aris Hadjinicolaou, Pediatric Neurologist at CHU Sainte-Justine. "Having access to a ready-to-use, on-label medication could facilitate timely intervention during seizures and may decrease the need for emergency medical services". " This partnership represents Pendopharm's commitment to bringing medicines that address unmet medical needs to Canadian patients," said Jad Isber, Vice President & General Manager of Pendopharm ®. "We look forward to working with Canadian neurologists and pediatricians to make Buccolam available to all patients who may benefit from it." Dr. Maximilian von Wülfing, Chief Operating Officer of Neuraxpharm, said: "Through its network of strategic partnerships around the world, Neuraxpharm is committed to expanding access to market-leading medicines. Our collaboration with Pendopharm further strengthens our position as a global CNS specialist enabling us to deliver an epilepsy treatment designed to reduce hospitalizations and provide support to patients and their caregivers." About Pendopharm ® Pendopharm, specialty division of Pharmascience Inc., is a leading Canadian specialty pharmaceutical company providing patients with innovative medicines that address unmet medical needs. Its areas of focus are gastroenterology, sports medicine & orthopedics, neurology and cardiology. Pendopharm ® has extensive experience and knowledge to successfully manage its growing product portfolio. For more information, please visit For media inquiries, please contact [email protected]. © 2025 Pendopharm, division of Pharmascience Inc. All rights reserved. About Pharmascience Inc. Pharmascience Inc. is one of the largest pharmaceutical manufacturers in Canada and is headquartered in Montreal, Canada. Pharmascience delivers high-quality medicines to over 50 countries worldwide. Pharmascience Inc.'s global presence and agile business development model provide healthcare communities around the world with the high-quality Canadian medicines to respond to patients' needs. About the Neuraxpharm Group Neuraxpharm is a leading European specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the treatment of the central nervous system (CNS), including both psychiatric and neurological disorders. It has a unique understanding of the CNS market built over 40 years. Neuraxpharm is constantly innovating, with new products and solutions to address unmet patient needs and is expanding its portfolio through its pipeline, partnerships and acquisitions. The company has c.1,000 employees and develops and commercialises CNS products through a direct presence in more than 20 countries in Europe, two in Latin America, one in the Middle East, one in Australia, and globally via partners in more than 50 countries. Neuraxpharm is backed by funds advised by Permira. Neuraxpharm manufactures many of its pharmaceutical products at Neuraxpharm Pharmaceuticals (formerly Laboratorios Lesvi) in Spain. For more information, please visit .
CBC
4 days ago
- CBC
Why some Canadian health data may be handed over to the U.S.
Data privacy experts warn that Canadian electronic health records may be at risk of being accessed and used by foreign entities, and say data is often controlled by U.S. companies. Dr. Kumanan Wilson, chief scientific officer at the Bruyère Health Research Institute, recommends the introduction of a 'blocking statute' under Canadian privacy legislation to mitigate U.S. involvement in data management.
CBC
5 days ago
- CBC
Canadians' health data at risk of being handed over to U.S. authorities, experts warn
Canadians' electronic health records need more protections to prevent foreign entities from accessing patient data, according to commentary in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. "Canadian privacy law is badly outdated," said Michael Geist, law professor and Canada Research Chair in internet and e-commerce law at the University of Ottawa and co-author of the commentary. "We're now talking about decades since the last major change." Geist says electronic medical records systems from clinics and hospitals — containing patients' personal health information — are often controlled by U.S. companies. The data is encrypted and primarily stored on cloud servers in Canada, but because those are owned by American companies, they are subject to American laws. For example, Geist points out, the U.S. passed the Clarifying Lawful Overseas Use of Data (CLOUD) Act in 2018, which can compel companies to disclose customer information for criminal investigations, even if it's stored outside the United States. The law allows for bilateral agreements with the U.S. and other countries. Canada and the U.S. began negotiations in 2022. The companies have "Canadian laws that may say they've got to provide appropriate protections for that data," Geist said. "But they may have U.S. law that could compel them to disclose that information." Canada's laws, Geist says, have not yet found a way to respond to that. How health data could be used The CMAJ commentary says "serious privacy, security, and economic risks arise when companies in other countries hold and use Canadian data." Among them, the authors point to the potential use of that information for law enforcement surveillance, or by private companies seeking to use the data to make money. Health data is deeply personal, and ongoing Canada-U.S. political tensions may cause some to be even warier about where and how their information is stored and used, says Lorian Hardcastle, assistant professor in the law faculty and Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary. "There is a compelling argument to be made to say, 'Well, you know, we just need to have this information stored in Canada and not have those dealings with American companies,'" said Hardcastle. Aside from the CLOUD Act, another concern Geist lays out is the potential for foreign companies to profit off of Canadians' health data. With the growth of AI, Geist says that data has become increasingly valuable — a tremendous pool of information that could potentially be used to generate AI algorithms. (The cloud companies say their customers own and control their own data.) "We should be the ones to benefit from that," Geist said. "We should be the ones who are entitled to appropriate privacy protections." Dr. Sheryl Spithoff, an assistant professor at the University of Toronto, says these risks highlight how Canada's privacy laws fall short. "This data is patient data. It belongs to patients. That should be used for reasons that are in their interests, that bring them benefit, that don't cause harm." Tech companies respond The CMAJ commentary says three U.S. cloud companies dominate: Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services. Google told CBC News that "customer data belongs to our customers, not to Google Cloud." It says, like many tech companies, it gets requests from governments and courts to disclose customer information, usually as part of criminal investigations. The company says it follows a "transparent, fair, and thorough process" to respond. It didn't comment specifically about Canadian health data. "Google provides a response on a case-by-case basis, taking into account different circumstances and informed by legal requirements, customer agreements, and privacy policies," it said. "We are committed to protecting privacy while also complying with applicable laws." Microsoft said that in the second half of 2022, of the nearly 5,000 demands for "consumer data" it received from U.S. law enforcement, 53 warrants sought content stored outside of the U.S. "Microsoft's compliance team reviews government demands for customer data to ensure the requests are valid, rejects those that are not valid, and only provides the data specified in the legal order." Amazon said it "does not disclose customer information in response to government demands unless we're required to do so to comply with a legally valid and binding order." In a statement, a spokesperson for Amazon Web Services wrote "there have been no data requests to AWS that resulted in disclosure to the U.S. government of enterprise or government content data stored outside the U.S. since we started reporting the statistic." Limits to Canada's privacy laws Privacy experts say the failure of Canada's privacy laws to keep pace with changing technology has put the country's data sovereignty at risk. Geist says strengthening provincial laws and the federal Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act, known as PIPEDA, could help create a guardrail against potential U.S. data requests reaching into Canada. In his commentary, Geist calls for "stronger penalties for unauthorized disclosure of personal information without consent and guidance that foreign court orders related to Canadian data are unenforceable in Canada." Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada says PIPEDA applies when transferring data across the border, but Geist says the law itself isn't robust enough. Geist also calls for the country to develop Canadian cloud servers for health data, and to ensure that data is hosted on Canadian soil. The wealth of health information generated by the health-care system should stay in Canada and benefit Canadians, Geist says. He and his co-authors see the potential for health AI algorithms to be developed in Canada by Canadian companies, with robust safeguards, to support health-care decisions "based on data representative of Canada's population."
