iCASE project

Developing new methods for computing confidence intervals for clinical trials with subpopulation selection

Warwick supervisors

Dr Peter Kimani and Prof. Nigel StallardLink opens in a new window 

Industry supervisors

Dr Ekkehard Glimm and Dr Dominic Magirr (Novartis Pharma AG)

Project summary

It is widely recognised that experimental therapies may only benefit a subset of a patient population. An efficient clinical trial design to test whether an experimental therapy is effective and for which part of the population is the two-stage adaptive enrichment design. The trial initially recruits from the full patient population and then, partway through the trial, an interim analysis is performed to select the subpopulation where the experimental therapy is promising. Recruitment after interim analysis is restricted to this subpopulation. However, the existing method for computing a confidence interval (CI) that adjusts for subpopulation selection at interim analysis, is known to be inaccurate. The aim of this exciting and important PhD project is to develop new methods that give confidence intervals with much better properties. This project offers the successful candidate an opportunity to experience and contribute to front line research and development in academia and a large pharmaceutical company.

Additional information

The project would suit a student with a good undergraduate degree in statistics, mathematics or a related discipline.

Apply here

iCASE project

Optimal utility-based design of oncology clinical development programmes

Warwick Supervisor

Prof. Nigel Stallard

Industry supervisor

Project summary

In collaboration with Janssen Pharmaceuticals, this PhD project will address important questions in the optimal design of clinical development programmes in oncology. You will develop statistical modelling methods that identify the main sources of uncertainty in oncology clinical trials. These will formally incorporate stakeholder views, including clinical trial statistical properties and patient preferences via multi-attribute utility functions. This will lead to strategies, including non-parametric Bayesian approaches, for optimal dynamic data-dependent updating of oncology clinical development programmes. As such the project offers the successful candidate an opportunity to undertake exciting and important research and development at the interface between academia and a large pharmaceutical company to optimise cancer treatment.

Additional information

The project would suit a student with a strong undergraduate degree in statistics, mathematics or related subject and who possesses a working understanding and interest in biology or biomedical science.

Apply here

iCASE project title

Investigating the impact of cellular state on cryopreservation

Warwick supervisor

Prof. Matthew I Gibson

Industry supervisor

Dr Peter Kilbride (Cytiva)

Project summary

Cell cryopreservation is essential for drug screening, delivery of cell-based therapies and basic biomedical research. There has been a major focus on the cryoprotectants and the optimisation of external factors such as freezing rate. In this industry/academic research project we will explore how the biochemical state of the cell when frozen impacts its cryopreservation outcomes. We will use chemical and physical stimuli to induce certain cell states, including parts of the cell cycle, and quantify the impact of this on the quality of the recovered cells. The project will give a student the chance to undertake fundamental cell biology research whilst working with a major life science company, including undertaking placements at the industry partner's research site. The outputs from this work will further improve our understanding of how cells prepare for cold stress, inspired by extremophiles in nature, as well as new tools/methods to improve cell-based therapies.

Additional information

Candidates ideally have a background in cell culture/biology or bio-materials/engineering.

Apply here