Medical Research Trends For 2017

Each year brings with it some incredible new breakthroughs and research that move the medical field forward. At Lifecycle, we’re always on the cutting edge of the medical research field and we closely follow new developments and predictions in our industry. We’d like to share some of the most relevant trends and predictions that we think we’ll see this year. It’s a good way to keep you up-to-date on what you can expect over the next several months.

Data Sharing Continues To Get Better

There are still problems when it comes to sharing data among researchers and across different sectors in the research industry, but lately it seems more likely that we’re approaching the point where we’ll start to see data sharing become easier and more widespread. The NIH is beginning to require more data sharing and it’s also providing the incentives to support those requirements. Other platforms are being created to help share data and research throughout the industry, and we should see more improvement in the coming year.

Big Data for Patients

We’re also looking at what is potentially the start of a new trend that uses data to change how we think about disease and health. Patient records can now be used to create a more accurate map of different diseases, as well as give patients an individualized report on their health. The use of all this data also has implications for artificial intelligence and deep learning applications as they apply to diagnosis and treatment of diseases. As technology becomes more affordable and widespread this trend will only accelerate.

Clinical Trial Reform

There’s been a lot of talk lately about new trial designs that could potentially make the clinical trial process more efficient and effective overall. Adaptive trials and platform trials are two types that we may see gain traction in 2017. The FDA still needs to update its guidance on adaptive designs in order to provide more clarity regarding the expectations and outcomes of these types of trials. That means 2017 could be the year that we see the tools, resources, and guidelines come together to explore new trial designs and their potential benefits to researchers and patients.

R&D of Surgical Robots Will Continue

By 2020 it’s estimated that surgical robot sales will be somewhere around $6.4 billion. These robotic systems allow for more precise operations that are all controlled by the surgeon, but using tiny instruments that can bend and rotate with greater dexterity than a human hand. Google and Johnson & Johnson have already announced they will be building a surgical robot system to compete with the da Vinci Surgical System and we can expect that research and development on these systems will continue in 2017.

Are you looking for a partner that can supply your medical lab or manufacturing facility with the products and services it needs to function at the highest level? Then contact Lifecycle Biotechnologies today. Our experienced staff and high-quality products and services have made us the leader in the industry. Call today and we’ll show you why there’s no better option than Lifecycle.