A recent letter to the editor provided recommendations for encouraging open science in COVID-19 clinical trials, such as incentives for data sharing during the project funding stage.
A DCRI expert in open science and data sharing recently contributed to a letter to the editor voicing the importance of open science in COVID-19 research.
The letter, published recently in Therapeutic Innovation & Regulatory Science, was authored by DCRI’s Frank Rockhold, PhD, along with two other authors who were both funded by The Gates Foundation. The letter reviewed work already being undertaken by the International COVID-19 Data Research Alliance (ICODA) and provided recommendations for upcoming clinical trials for COVID-19 therapeutics and vaccines.
The letter touches on the following work that is already underway and being overseen by ICODA:
- Creation of a Data Dictionary of summary-level data from clinical trials, which will enable more efficient analysis across multiple trials while also ensuring that patient data is deidentified;
- Formation of a statistical expert group that can facilitate ongoing clinical trials and forge new collaborations; and
- Use of platform trials to use resources efficiently and test multiple interventions over time.
The authors also make recommendations for additional steps that would advance data sharing as trials for COVID-19 therapeutics and vaccines continue:
- Establishing a single point of contact for requests for secondary use of available data;
- Enabling patients to use their own voice about whether they would like their data to be shared; and
- Encouraging collaboration through data sharing incentives, particularly in funding projects.
“With over 1,000 COVID-19 trials initiated since the beginning of the pandemic, open science is more critical than ever,” Rockhold said. “Not only will this ensure we arrive at answers more efficiently, but it will enable us to get the most out of our collective investment while avoiding duplication.”