Peter Doran

On the Human Health, Impact and Technology webinar series on Jan 21st 2025, Professor Peter Doran, Director of the UCD Clinical Research Centre and Professor of Clinical Trials at the UCD School of Medicine, spoke to host Professor Patricia Maguire about "Trials of the Future; Transforming Patient Outcomes".  In case you missed it, here are the top takeaways and video recording.

A desire to understand biological phenomena

Peter reflects on how much his interests have changed over the years. When he was younger he was passionate about mathematics and it seemed almost certain that he would become a mathematician. However, everything shifted when Peter was 13. In 1989, his mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, and unfortunately she passed away just six months later, in October. Then, in 1991, his dad was diagnosed with a brain tumor, and sadly he too passed away just three months after his diagnosis, in December. These experiences had a profound impact on Peter. They sparked a desire to understand biological phenomena—things that couldn’t be explained by mathematical equations alone, but required a completely different approach. That’s when his interest in biomedical science and research began to take shape, and it ultimately set him on the path he’s on today.

Advancing Clinical Research and Trials

Peter wears multiple hats. First, he leads the fantastic Clinical Research Centre (CRC) team they’ve built over the past several years. The team is a diverse group of nearly 50 clinical research professionals—ranging from nurses and data managers to regulatory experts, trial operations staff, and laboratory technicians. It's a true pleasure for Peter to lead this team, which supports around 70 investigators across their partner hospitals in their research programs.

In addition, Peter heads up their newly established Clinical Trials Unit. While it’s part of the larger CRC, the unit specifically focuses on supporting investigator-led clinical research. This area is particularly important because investigator-led research often tackles questions that are most clinically relevant to patients.

The power of collaboration

Peter has always believed that the complex problems we face in life—whether related to health, climate change, or other major social issues—are best solved by bringing together teams of complementary experts. This belief, shaped by his own experiences, has guided his work throughout his career. At the CRC, Peter has emphasized the importance of collaboration, supporting teams at various levels. For instance, the Centre plays a key role in the university’s partnerships with hospitals like the Mater Hospital, St. Vincent's University Hospital, The National Maternity Hospital, and others, fostering critical connections and collaborative research.

A prime example of the power of collaboration is the CRC’s involvement in clinical trial networks. One such project, (opens in a new window)REMAP-CAP, showcases the impact that teamwork can have on both patients and the university. Peter has worked closely with Professor Alastair Nichol, a professor of intensive care medicine at UCD.  Together, they’ve supported REMAP-CAP, a platform trial initially focused on community-acquired pneumonia that became pivotal in the COVID-19 response. REMAP-CAP quickly demonstrated the effectiveness of steroids and IL-6 receptor antagonists for critically ill patients, while also revealing that some other treatments were not effective. To Peter, the true power of REMAP-CAP lies in its global collaboration, proving that when highly skilled, motivated people come together, they can drive meaningful change that impacts patients worldwide.

Strengthening Ireland’s Role in Clinical Trials

Ireland is a key player in the global clinical trial landscape, with a strong life sciences sector and a supportive ecosystem of global tech companies. Despite these strengths and the presence of leading organizations like ICON, the country has faced challenges in fully capitalizing on its potential in clinical trials, including delays in trial start-ups. To address this, the Minister for Health established a National Clinical Trials Oversight Group last summer, tasked with identifying key barriers, and proposing solutions to create a more supportive environment for research. Peter is proud to have been appointed to this group, which is chaired by Professor Donald Brennan, a leading expert in Gynecologic oncology at the UCD School of Medicine. The group’s interim reports are already gaining traction within the government. Peter is optimistic that their work will help transform Ireland into an even stronger hub for clinical trials.

Predictive Modelling and Wearables

Predictive modelling and wearables are reshaping clinical trials, especially for rare diseases where patient recruitment is challenging. One innovative approach is the "N of 1" trial, where patients act as their own control. In lung disease trials, for example, wearable devices and patient-reported data are being used by researchers to build predictive models to forecast a patient’s likely outcome.  By comparing actual results to these predictions, researchers can improve outcome measures and make trials more accessible to patients who might otherwise have difficulty participating due to logistical or geographical barriers. This approach could transform how clinical trials are conducted, enhance their reliability and make them more accessible to a wider range of patients.

Sustainability in Clinical Trials

Clinical trials, like much of healthcare, have a significant carbon footprint, with travel being a major contributor. Patients often have to travel long distances for multiple visits, adding to both their burden and the trial’s environmental impact. By leveraging wearables and remote data collection, or what’s known as decentralized trials, we can reduce the need for travel, making trials more sustainable and less burdensome for patients. This approach also helps maintain the integrity of the trial while democratizing access—removing travel as a barrier for patients who may otherwise struggle to participate. It’s a great example of how technology can make trials not only more efficient but also more accessible and environmentally friendly.

Expanding Access to Rare Disease Clinical Trials at UCD

At UCD, we have a dedicated (opens in a new window)rare disease clinical trial network based within the CRC, led by my esteemed colleagues Professors Rachel Crowley and Cormac McCarthy. This network not only provides access to trials in Ireland but also collaborates with European colleagues through the European Reference Networks. We’re excited about the potential for this initiative to significantly expand opportunities for rare disease trials here in Ireland.

The Role of AI in Optimizing Clinical Trials

Artificial intelligence presents a huge opportunity to enhance various aspects of clinical trials, from optimizing trial design and patient recruitment to real-time data monitoring and adherence tracking. One of the most exciting applications is in trial design. Traditionally, clinical trials rely on historical data to inform decisions, but with AI, we can generate synthetic datasets that simulate potential outcomes. This allows us to optimize trial designs before involving any patients, improving the likelihood of success by testing different scenarios in advance. It’s a rapidly growing field with the potential to significantly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of clinical trials.

UCD’s role in shaping the national ethical landscape of clinical trials

Ireland currently has a national research ethics committee overseeing interventional studies, including those involving investigational medicinal products (IMPs), devices, and in vitro diagnostics. A recent development is the introduction of single national research ethics committees, which means only one ethical approval is needed for a trial to proceed in Ireland. Notably, out of the six National Research Ethics Committees (NRECs), three are chaired by colleagues from UCD, highlighting the university's significant role in shaping the ethical landscape of clinical trials in the country.

What Skills Are Needed to Get Involved in Clinical Trials?

All kinds of expertise - Peter has built a diverse, complementary team that includes data scientists, statisticians, lab experts, nurses, and more. They encourage investigators and colleagues from across the university and broader community to reach out and share their ideas, and to have a conversation about how they can collaborate to turn those ideas into real trials that ultimately benefit patients.