Unblinded: A Clinical Trial Podcast

What should be in your digital trial toolkit

Unblinded: A Clinical Trial Podcast

Show Notes

<p><em>Host: Richard Young, Vice President, Vault CDMS Strategy, Veeva Systems</em></p> <p><em>Guest: Tanya du Plessis (Chief Data Strategist and Solutions Officer, Bioforum the Data Masters)</em></p> <p><strong>Description:</strong> Host Richard Young speaks to Tanya du Plessis, chief data strategist and solutions officer at Bioforum the Data Masters, a data-focused CRO. The old days of linear trial processes and pushing paper are thankfully over, presenting exciting opportunities in clinical data management. In fact, data managers are moving from behind the scenes to center stage as regulations change. So what do data managers need in their toolkit if they are to be effective? And are we closer to making patient-centric trials a reality?</p>

More from Unblinded: A Clinical Trial Podcast

Oct 13, 2026

Manny is joined by guest Jack Evans, VP Europe at Civia Health, to discuss the operational realities, systemic burdens, and collaborative opportunities between clinical trial sponsors, CROs, and research sites. Jack highlights the challenges of setting up a research site in Europe, and what they need from sponsors to help make clinical trials more efficient.

Sep 23, 2026

In this episode Danielle Drachmann, CEO of Ketotic Hypoglycemia International, and Senior Patient Partnering Manager at Thermo Fisher Scientific, explains how lived experience can – and should – reshape clinical research from day one. Danielle shares her powerful personal journey from kindergarten teacher to founder of a global rare disease organization after fighting for answers for her children.

Aug 19, 2026

In this episode, Novo Nordisk’s Rhona O'Donnell and Ibrahim Kamstrup-Akkaoui explore how the combination of open source tools and AI is reshaping the future of clinical data management. From the creation of OpenStudyBuilder to the potential of Veeva’s agentic AI layer, they discuss breaking down traditional industry silos to get treatments to patients faster.

Apr 15, 2026

In this episode of Unblinded, host Manny Vazquez is joined by Leianne Ebert, Head of Data Operations at Alcon, and co-host John Acampado, Senior Director of Clinical Strategy for Veeva MedTech. Together, they explore the regulatory differences between pharma and medical device trials, data standards, and the industry’s digital maturity. Leianne and John also provide a reality check on AI readiness, debating the "deep pockets, short arms" mentality of the industry, and end with a call to action for systemic technology adoption.

Mar 5, 2026

Joel White, owner of Marketcap Consulting, together with Veeva’s Chris Kreitel, joins Manny to discuss why the next era of clinical trial outsourcing will be defined by technology integration and economic agility. They debate whether CROs are the ultimate masters of integrating tech, and the role of small biotechs as growth drivers in the market.

See all episodes →