Episode 65, “REMAP-CAP: The Origin”
On Ep. 65 of "In the Interim…", Dr. Scott Berry and Prof. Steve Webb examine the origin, design, and sustained operational execution of REMAP-CAP, a federated global adaptive platform trial created for pandemic response.
The story starts with pandemic preparedness meetings, evolves through EU funding, and culminates in a platform trial that enrolled its first COVID patient on March 6, 2020, before WHO declared a pandemic.
Key innovations discussed:
● Modular protocol structure enabling new domains in 3-4 weeks
● Bayesian triggers replacing p-values across all analyses
● Factorial designs testing up to 7 interventions per patient
● Results published 8-9 weeks from statistical trigger to peer review
The trial proved adaptive designs work at scale. Sample sizes ranged from 100 to 1,000+ patients depending on treatment effect, with early identification of both beneficial and harmful interventions.
Listen to hear how "warm infrastructure" and innovative trial design saved tens of thousands of lives: https://www.berryconsultants.com/resource/65-remap-cap-the-origin