Transforming healthcare with real-world data
Incorporated into the theme of the ISPOR 2023 conference is the notion of “impacting innovation, value, and healthcare decision-making.” Flatiron Health’s research presence at this conference highlights our ability to do just that.
On the live STAGE at ISPOR 2023, researchers and oncologists from Flatiron present exciting new content, including our advances in AI with deep learning, use of real-world data for health equity research, and our synthesis of data quality frameworks as further demonstrated by value assessment applications. At our BOOTH, our top expert scientists stand ready to engage with attendees in concept development and problem solving with real-world evidence. Our RESEARCH presentations explore timely topics such as structural racism insights for diversity planning, validation of health outcomes, and opportunities for leveraging data linkages such as administrative claims with EHR data.
Our presence this year represents a pivotal milestone in gleaning insights from a broader spectrum of patient experiences than before, thus reimagining the infrastructure of health care and health policy. We maintain our commitment to using data for good—to understand the value of new medicines and increase access around the world.
Speaking engagements

FEATURED SESSION
Data quality 2.0: The future of real-world evidence
Monday, May 8, 2023 | 11:45 AM - 12:45 PM ET
This educational symposium focuses on the importance of a modern data quality framework in handling the increasing complexity and diversity of real-world data. Join experts from Flatiron, Bristol Myers Squibb and Takeda explore how a fresh perspective on data quality enhances the impact and applicability of real-world evidence, particularly in value assessments.
Monday, May 8

Monday, May 8 | 10:15 AM - 11:15 AM ET
RWE and health disparities in HTAs: Is transferability the main barrier for equity data sharing across borders?
This discussion will include presentations from consultancy, industry, and epidemiological perspectives, followed by an interactive discussion.
Flatiron Participant:
Blythe Adamson, PhD, MPH, Principal Scientist, Machine Learning

Monday, May 8 | 10:15 AM - 11:15 AM ET
Podium Presentation - Measures of neighborhood structural racism and overall survival among patients with metastatic breast cancer
Harlan Pittell, PhD, Quantitative Scientist

Monday, May 8 | 11:30 AM - 12:15 AM ET
Data quality 2.0: The future of real-world evidence
It will also explore how a fresh perspective on data quality enhance the impact and applicability of real-world evidence, particularly in value assessments.
Flatiron Participants:
Javier Jimenez, MD, MPH, Chief Medical Officer
Emily Castellanos, MD, MPH, Senior Medical Director

Monday, May 8 | 3:15 PM - 6:45 PM ET
Poster Session 2 - Do the characteristics of the site of care influence outcomes? Associations between community practice-level characteristics and real-world overall survival among patients with multiple myeloma
Flatiron Participant:
Wendy Wang, PhD, MPH, Senior Quantitative Scientist

Monday, May 8 | 3:15 PM - 4:15 PM ET
What is an open source model? Forking a path to definition
The panel will explore the meaning and scope of open-source in HEOR, the practical value of agreed definitions and the role of the OSM SIG in promoting their adoption. Finally, they will discuss how the HEOR community can learn from other contexts and review the different perspectives that ought to be considered. The OSM SIG will develop a manuscript on this topic informed by audience contributions.
Flatiron Participant:
Blythe Adamson, PhD, MPH, Principal Scientist, Machine Learning

Monday, May 8 | 4:45 PM - 5:45 PM ET
Podium Session - Machine Learning in Outcomes Research
Blythe Adamson, PhD, MPH, Principal Scientist, Machine Learning

Tuesday, May 9 | 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM ET
AI wants to chat with you: Accept or Ignore?
Blythe Adamson, PhD, MPH, Principal Scientist, Machine Learning

Tuesday, May 9 | 10:15 AM - 11:15 AM ET
Beyond burden of illness - Using RWE for advanced HEOR analytics
Flatiron Participant:
Blythe Adamson, PhD, MPH, Principal Scientist, Machine Learning

Tuesday, May 9 | 11:45 AM - 12:45 PM ET
Assessing real-world data quality from electronic health records for health technology assessments
The panel will also discuss limitations of EHR data, such as privacy and confidentiality issues, consent issues, data security concerns, and funding sources. Finally, the speakers will discuss future directions for the field.
Flatiron Participants:
Blythe Adamson, PhD, MPH, Principal Scientist, Machine Learning
Seamus Kent, PhD, MSc, Senior Adviser, HTA and Market Access

Tuesday, May 9 | 1:45 PM - 2:45 PM ET
Larger, deeper, and in real time: Applications of machine learning and natural language processing on electronic health records to learn from the patient journey at scale
While conventional data sources like claims data lack clinical depth, unstructured EHR data offers more information about biomarker results. Machine learning and natural language processing techniques have improved upon traditional manual curation methods, generating deep insights at scale and in real time.
Flatiron Participant:
Katherine Tan, PhD, Senior Quantitative Scientist, Machine Learning

Wednesday, May 10 | 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM ET
Routing RWE sources in HTA submissions when standard of care is not established: How to robustly validate your uncertainties
Additionally, two recent NICE submissions will be presented as case studies for audience participation and there will be a discussion on how current RWE frameworks could guide RWE decisions and HTA submissions.
Flatiron Participant:
Seamus Kent, PhD, MSc, Senior Adviser, HTA and Market Access
Tuesday, May 9

Monday, May 8 | 10:15 AM - 11:15 AM ET
RWE and health disparities in HTAs: Is transferability the main barrier for equity data sharing across borders?
This discussion will include presentations from consultancy, industry, and epidemiological perspectives, followed by an interactive discussion.
Flatiron Participant:
Blythe Adamson, PhD, MPH, Principal Scientist, Machine Learning

Monday, May 8 | 10:15 AM - 11:15 AM ET
Podium Presentation - Measures of neighborhood structural racism and overall survival among patients with metastatic breast cancer
Harlan Pittell, PhD, Quantitative Scientist

Monday, May 8 | 11:30 AM - 12:15 AM ET
Data quality 2.0: The future of real-world evidence
It will also explore how a fresh perspective on data quality enhance the impact and applicability of real-world evidence, particularly in value assessments.
Flatiron Participants:
Javier Jimenez, MD, MPH, Chief Medical Officer
Emily Castellanos, MD, MPH, Senior Medical Director

Monday, May 8 | 3:15 PM - 6:45 PM ET
Poster Session 2 - Do the characteristics of the site of care influence outcomes? Associations between community practice-level characteristics and real-world overall survival among patients with multiple myeloma
Flatiron Participant:
Wendy Wang, PhD, MPH, Senior Quantitative Scientist

Monday, May 8 | 3:15 PM - 4:15 PM ET
What is an open source model? Forking a path to definition
The panel will explore the meaning and scope of open-source in HEOR, the practical value of agreed definitions and the role of the OSM SIG in promoting their adoption. Finally, they will discuss how the HEOR community can learn from other contexts and review the different perspectives that ought to be considered. The OSM SIG will develop a manuscript on this topic informed by audience contributions.
Flatiron Participant:
Blythe Adamson, PhD, MPH, Principal Scientist, Machine Learning

Monday, May 8 | 4:45 PM - 5:45 PM ET
Podium Session - Machine Learning in Outcomes Research
Blythe Adamson, PhD, MPH, Principal Scientist, Machine Learning

Tuesday, May 9 | 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM ET
AI wants to chat with you: Accept or Ignore?
Blythe Adamson, PhD, MPH, Principal Scientist, Machine Learning

Tuesday, May 9 | 10:15 AM - 11:15 AM ET
Beyond burden of illness - Using RWE for advanced HEOR analytics
Flatiron Participant:
Blythe Adamson, PhD, MPH, Principal Scientist, Machine Learning

Tuesday, May 9 | 11:45 AM - 12:45 PM ET
Assessing real-world data quality from electronic health records for health technology assessments
The panel will also discuss limitations of EHR data, such as privacy and confidentiality issues, consent issues, data security concerns, and funding sources. Finally, the speakers will discuss future directions for the field.
Flatiron Participants:
Blythe Adamson, PhD, MPH, Principal Scientist, Machine Learning
Seamus Kent, PhD, MSc, Senior Adviser, HTA and Market Access

Tuesday, May 9 | 1:45 PM - 2:45 PM ET
Larger, deeper, and in real time: Applications of machine learning and natural language processing on electronic health records to learn from the patient journey at scale
While conventional data sources like claims data lack clinical depth, unstructured EHR data offers more information about biomarker results. Machine learning and natural language processing techniques have improved upon traditional manual curation methods, generating deep insights at scale and in real time.
Flatiron Participant:
Katherine Tan, PhD, Senior Quantitative Scientist, Machine Learning

Wednesday, May 10 | 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM ET
Routing RWE sources in HTA submissions when standard of care is not established: How to robustly validate your uncertainties
Additionally, two recent NICE submissions will be presented as case studies for audience participation and there will be a discussion on how current RWE frameworks could guide RWE decisions and HTA submissions.
Flatiron Participant:
Seamus Kent, PhD, MSc, Senior Adviser, HTA and Market Access
Wednesday, May 10

Monday, May 8 | 10:15 AM - 11:15 AM ET
RWE and health disparities in HTAs: Is transferability the main barrier for equity data sharing across borders?
This discussion will include presentations from consultancy, industry, and epidemiological perspectives, followed by an interactive discussion.
Flatiron Participant:
Blythe Adamson, PhD, MPH, Principal Scientist, Machine Learning

Monday, May 8 | 10:15 AM - 11:15 AM ET
Podium Presentation - Measures of neighborhood structural racism and overall survival among patients with metastatic breast cancer
Harlan Pittell, PhD, Quantitative Scientist

Monday, May 8 | 11:30 AM - 12:15 AM ET
Data quality 2.0: The future of real-world evidence
It will also explore how a fresh perspective on data quality enhance the impact and applicability of real-world evidence, particularly in value assessments.
Flatiron Participants:
Javier Jimenez, MD, MPH, Chief Medical Officer
Emily Castellanos, MD, MPH, Senior Medical Director

Monday, May 8 | 3:15 PM - 6:45 PM ET
Poster Session 2 - Do the characteristics of the site of care influence outcomes? Associations between community practice-level characteristics and real-world overall survival among patients with multiple myeloma
Flatiron Participant:
Wendy Wang, PhD, MPH, Senior Quantitative Scientist

Monday, May 8 | 3:15 PM - 4:15 PM ET
What is an open source model? Forking a path to definition
The panel will explore the meaning and scope of open-source in HEOR, the practical value of agreed definitions and the role of the OSM SIG in promoting their adoption. Finally, they will discuss how the HEOR community can learn from other contexts and review the different perspectives that ought to be considered. The OSM SIG will develop a manuscript on this topic informed by audience contributions.
Flatiron Participant:
Blythe Adamson, PhD, MPH, Principal Scientist, Machine Learning

Monday, May 8 | 4:45 PM - 5:45 PM ET
Podium Session - Machine Learning in Outcomes Research
Blythe Adamson, PhD, MPH, Principal Scientist, Machine Learning

Tuesday, May 9 | 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM ET
AI wants to chat with you: Accept or Ignore?
Blythe Adamson, PhD, MPH, Principal Scientist, Machine Learning

Tuesday, May 9 | 10:15 AM - 11:15 AM ET
Beyond burden of illness - Using RWE for advanced HEOR analytics
Flatiron Participant:
Blythe Adamson, PhD, MPH, Principal Scientist, Machine Learning

Tuesday, May 9 | 11:45 AM - 12:45 PM ET
Assessing real-world data quality from electronic health records for health technology assessments
The panel will also discuss limitations of EHR data, such as privacy and confidentiality issues, consent issues, data security concerns, and funding sources. Finally, the speakers will discuss future directions for the field.
Flatiron Participants:
Blythe Adamson, PhD, MPH, Principal Scientist, Machine Learning
Seamus Kent, PhD, MSc, Senior Adviser, HTA and Market Access

Tuesday, May 9 | 1:45 PM - 2:45 PM ET
Larger, deeper, and in real time: Applications of machine learning and natural language processing on electronic health records to learn from the patient journey at scale
While conventional data sources like claims data lack clinical depth, unstructured EHR data offers more information about biomarker results. Machine learning and natural language processing techniques have improved upon traditional manual curation methods, generating deep insights at scale and in real time.
Flatiron Participant:
Katherine Tan, PhD, Senior Quantitative Scientist, Machine Learning

Wednesday, May 10 | 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM ET
Routing RWE sources in HTA submissions when standard of care is not established: How to robustly validate your uncertainties
Additionally, two recent NICE submissions will be presented as case studies for audience participation and there will be a discussion on how current RWE frameworks could guide RWE decisions and HTA submissions.
Flatiron Participant:
Seamus Kent, PhD, MSc, Senior Adviser, HTA and Market Access
Meet our experts at Booth #1135
Discover how Flatiron’s experts can help advance oncology evidence generation at booth #1135.
Talk to our industry-leading experts on a range of topics, including oncology real-world evidence for health outcomes research and health technology assessments, health equity research to inform greater trial diversity, and innovative machine learning applications to scale your research.
Sign up here to schedule time to meet with our experts in-person at ISPOR!

Raina Mathur, MS
Senior Quantitative Scientist
Monday, May 8 | 9:45 AM - 10:15 AM
Raina leverages her expertise in fit-for-purpose real-world data (RWD) to partner with life sciences companies in generating real-world evidence for clinical development, market access, and commercial use cases. Her recent collaborations have culminated in publications that focus on complementing and supplementing clinical trial data with RWD to generate findings in underrepresented patient groups.
Talk to me about: Developing fit-for-purpose real-world data and analytic services offerings for outcomes research in oncology

Emily Castellanos, MD, MPH
Senior Medical Director
Monday, May 8 | 2:45 PM - 3:15 PM
Emily leverages her clinical and research expertise to develop innovative approaches to real-world evidence generation and inform product strategy. Her interests include integrated approaches to real-world data, such as clinico-genomics, clinico-claims, or imaging data, as well as novel approaches to real-world study design. In addition to her role at Flatiron, Emily maintains a clinical practice specializing in breast malignancies at Fox Chase Cancer Center.
Talk to me about: Health outcomes research in oncology, real-world data quality, integrated evidence

Wendy (Xiaoliang) Wang, PhD
Senior Quantitative Scientist
Tuesday, May 9 | 9:45 AM - 10:15 AM
Wendy works closely with academic investigators in various topics of treatment patterns, health outcomes, quality of care and health equity research, by leveraging contemporary real-world evidence. She has also led evaluations in leveraging RWD to enhance survival extrapolation. Her work has been published in JAMA Oncology, JAMA Network Open, Cancer, CEBP, JCO CCI and Value in Health.
Talk to me about: Health outcomes research, methodology considerations in real-world evidence

Samantha Reiss, PharmD, BCOP
Clinical Director
Monday, May 8 | 9:45 AM - 10:15 AM
Samantha is a Board Certified Oncology Pharmacist working as a Clinical Director of Research Oncology, Real-World Evidence team at Flatiron. Prior to joining Flatiron, Samantha worked at Memorial Sloan Kettering as an Oncology Clinical Pharmacy Specialist working with the Neuro-Oncology team. Her interests include claims research, solid tumors, treatment of brain metastases, and immuno-oncology.
Talk to me about: EHR-claims linkage, solid malignancies, adverse events, brain metastases treatment

Katherine Tan, PhD
Senior Quantitative Scientist
Monday, May 8 | 2:45 PM - 3:15 PM
Katherine has published extensively in the topics of biostatistics, biomedical natural language processing (NLP) and real-world evidence in oncology. Her work has appeared in top academic conferences and journals such as Biostatistics, Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics, ISPOR, and Value of Health; and she has organized and spoken at panels (ENAR) and podcasts (ResearchX) on RWE.
Talk to me about: ML & NLP and their usages in health outcomes research and biopharma applications

Christina Fullerton, PharmD, BCOP
Clinical Director
Tuesday, May 9 | 2:45 PM - 3:15 PM
Christina is a board-certified oncology pharmacist working as a Clinical Director of Research Oncology on the Real-World Evidence team at Flatiron. Prior to this role she worked as an Oncology Clinical Pharmacy Specialist at Overlook Medical Center in both hematologic malignancies and medical oncology services. Her research interests include double-hit lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and myeloid malignancies.
Talk to me about: Real-world evidence generation and real-world endpoints development in hematologic malignancies

Gregory Calip, PharmD, MPH, PhD
Principal Quantitative Scientist
Monday, May 8 | 2:45 PM - 3:15 PM
Greg is a nationally recognized expert in pharmacoepidemiology and health equity research, and has published research and editorials extensively on these topics related to breast cancer and hematological malignancies. At Flatiron, Greg works with the Academic and Health Systems Partnerships team and in the Research Unit on applied health equity research investments and collaborations with the FDA.
Talk to me about: Pharmacoepidemiology, pharmacovigilance, health equity research, social determinants of health, clinical trial diversity and representativeness

Harlan Pittell, PhD
Quantitative Scientist
Tuesday, May 9 | 9:45 AM - 10:15 AM
Harlan helps to deliver real-world evidence to Flatiron clients and utilizes Flatiron's EHR-derived databases to generate new insights on health inequities in the United States among patients with cancer. Before joining Flatiron, Harlan completed his PhD in health policy and management from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, where he assessed the benefits of EHR data.
Talk to me about: EHR data, health technology assessments, health equity research, racial/ethnic inequities in oncology trial participation

Seamus Kent, PhD
Senior Advisor, HTA & Market Access
Tuesday, May 9 | 2:45 PM - 3:15 PM
Seamus is a health economist and statistician with extensive experience in health technology assessment (HTA), market access, and real-world data. At Flatiron, Seamus is leading collaborative research projects to demonstrate the value of real-world evidence in HTA and supporting the development of US and International data products. Before joining Flatiron, Seamus led the development of NICE’s RWE framework.
Talk to me about: Health technology assessment, international real-world data products
Our research
Do the characteristics of the site of care influence outcomes? Associations between community practice-level characteristics and real-world overall survival among patients with multiple myeloma
Wang X., et al.
This study included an analysis of various descriptive statistics at the practice-level, such as patient-physician ratios, the number of visits, physicians, and patients with cancer including multiple myeloma (MM), as well as diversity, location, and clinical factors.
Implementation of a real-world data quality framework in an nationwide oncology electronic health record-derived database
Castellanos E., et al.
This study showcases how to apply a framework that ensures RWD quality by considering important factors like accuracy, completeness, and relevance to a large-scale electronic health record (EHR)-based oncology RWD source.
Development of a derived induction failure and relapse (DIFR) variable for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) using real-world (RW) data from an electronic health record (EHR)-derived database
Fullerton C., et al.
To address the challenge of accurately identifying induction failure and relapse events, researchers in this study developed a novel approach that combines structured and abstracted data sources to derive these events with greater accuracy and precision.
Measures of neighborhood structural racism and overall survival among patients with metastatic breast cancer
Pittell H., et al.
Researchers conducted a study that focused on patients with metastatic breast cancer (mBC) and examined several measures of neighborhood structural racism as indicators of racial and economic segregation to determine if these measures were predictive of survival among patients with mBC.
Assessing missing antineoplastic therapy prior to electronic health record (EHR)-derived first line of therapy after advanced non-small cell lung (aNSCLC) diagnosis
Reiss S., et al.
This study used an administrative health claims linked EHR dataset in an aNSCLC population to identify antineoplastic exposure in claims before the first recorded EHR documented exposure.
Racialized economic segregation and inequities in survival among patients with multiple myeloma
Pittell H., et al.
Researchers conducted a study focused on the association between area-level racialized economic segregation (i.e., Index of Concentration at the Extremes (ICE)) between the most and least privileged groups and overall survival rates for patients with multiple myeloma (MM).