# Navigating the Arena: Platform Trials

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/in-the-interim-7211889/navigating-the-arena-platform-trials
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/in-the-interim-7211889/navigating-the-arena-platform-trials.md
Podcast: [In the Interim...](https://stenobird.com/podcast/in-the-interim-7211889)
Published: 2025-12-15T12:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://share.transistor.fm/s/02a02637
Audio file: https://media.transistor.fm/02a02637/fb79125c.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/in-the-interim-7211889/episodes/navigating-the-arena-platform-trials
Duration seconds: 3027

## Resource

In this episode of "In the Interim…", Dr. Scott Berry delivers a metaphoric critique of single-question trial infrastructure through the sports arena analogy, illustrating the cost, patient burden, and data inefficiency of conventional clinical trials. He provides a methodical comparison of traditional trial models and the platform trial approach, clarifying distinctions between platform, basket, and master protocol structures. Through examples from HEALEY ALS, I-SPY 2, PALM (Ebola), REMAP-CAP, RECOVERY, EPAD, GBM AGILE, and Precision Promise, Scott outlines the measurable efficiencies of platform trials: shared control arms, flexible arm addition and removal, reduced placebo exposure, accelerated timelines, and improved statistical inferences. The episode further examines platform trial performance during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting trial adaptability, and the rapid generation of actionable evidence. Scott also addresses failure scenarios, focusing on EPAD Alzheimer’s as a cautionary case in platform sustainability, cost allocation, and initial funding barriers. Listeners will gain a perspective on the operational and statistical design choices governing today’s most innovative clinical studies. Key Highlights Arena analogy applied to delineate clinical research inefficiency. Operational, statistical, and patient-focused efficiencies in platform versus single-question trials. Precision in terminology: platform, basket, and master protocol definitions. Effects of platform trials on speed and scientific rigor. Factors underlying both platform trial successes and failures. For more, visit us at https://www.berryconsultants.com/

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## Transcript

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