Date: Thursday 5th October Time:11:00-12:00 BST | 12:00-13:00 CEST
Location: Online Speakers: Yulia Dyachkova (Merck), Nathalie Barbier (Novartis) and Cornelia Dunger-Baldauf (Novartis).
Who is this event intended for? Statisticians working in any phase of research who want to learn more about influencing the conduct of single arm trials. What is the benefit of attending? Attendees will have the chance to learn more about influencing non-statistical stakeholders to choose designs and data sources that will best address their questions. As the host SIG, we will also utilise this as an opportunity to get critical feedback from attendees which will help to shape ideas for an upcoming manuscript.
Registration
This event is free to both Members of PSI and Non-Members.
To register for this event, please click here.
Overview
Do you really want to stay single? Single arm trials (SAT) are not preferred but often accepted by regulators in oncology and in rare disease when potential effects of new treatments are very large and placebo treatment is unethical. However, in the post-regulatory space, SAT are common, and perhaps even more poorly suited to address the questions of interest. We will present the most frequently asked questions in the post-marketing space, the reasons why SATs are not able to address these questions, and how statisticians might reasonably influence decision makers to consider alternatives.
This session is applicable to statisticians working in any phase of research who want to learn more about influencing decision making regarding SATs. Attendees will learn more about past, current and future uses of SATs; the contexts in which SATs will and will not meet objectives; and how to influence decision makers to consider alternatives. This session will be highly interactive and questions and feedback are absolutely welcome!
Speaker details
Speaker
Biography
Yulia Dyachkova
Yulia Dyachkova is a highly experienced biostatistician with over 25 years in the pharmaceutical industry across multiple therapeutic areas (neuroscience, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and most extensively oncology). Passionate about working with cross-functional teams and helping non-statisticians understand statistical concepts, she has made significant contributions in the medical affairs area. Yulia has led all aspects of statistical launch activities in a broad variety of global markets including responsibility in HTA, RWE, generating and interpreting real world evidence, designing phase IV studies. She has been involved as author/co-author of many manuscripts published in medical and statistical peer review journals.
Currently, Yulia works at Merck as an Associate Director Biostatistician. Yulia holds a Master degree in Biostatistics, from University of British Columbia, Vancouver.
Nathalie Barbier
Nathalie Barbier is an experienced leader of statisticians with more than 30 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical industry. She has a broad range of experience in successful drug development projects, from pre-clinical research to post submission profiling and health economics within different therapeutic areas. She is currently Global group Head in Global Medical Affairs and Access Biostatistics at Novartis Pharma Basel.
Cornelia Dunger-Baldauf
Cornelia Dunger-Baldauf has more than 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry as a lead statistician in roles with increasing levels of responsibility. When overseeing all development phases of a Therapeutic Area, her responsibility included RWE evaluation. RWE became one of her research topics. She joined the Statistical Methodology Group at Novartis 3 years ago to lead a team working on a project which combines evidence from RCTs and clinical practice.
Scientific Meetings
PSI Launch & Lifecycle SIG Webinar: Do you want to stay single? Considerations on single arm trials in the post-regulatory space
Date: Thursday 5th October Time:11:00-12:00 BST | 12:00-13:00 CEST
Location: Online Speakers: Yulia Dyachkova (Merck), Nathalie Barbier (Novartis) and Cornelia Dunger-Baldauf (Novartis).
Who is this event intended for? Statisticians working in any phase of research who want to learn more about influencing the conduct of single arm trials. What is the benefit of attending? Attendees will have the chance to learn more about influencing non-statistical stakeholders to choose designs and data sources that will best address their questions. As the host SIG, we will also utilise this as an opportunity to get critical feedback from attendees which will help to shape ideas for an upcoming manuscript.
Registration
This event is free to both Members of PSI and Non-Members.
To register for this event, please click here.
Overview
Do you really want to stay single? Single arm trials (SAT) are not preferred but often accepted by regulators in oncology and in rare disease when potential effects of new treatments are very large and placebo treatment is unethical. However, in the post-regulatory space, SAT are common, and perhaps even more poorly suited to address the questions of interest. We will present the most frequently asked questions in the post-marketing space, the reasons why SATs are not able to address these questions, and how statisticians might reasonably influence decision makers to consider alternatives.
This session is applicable to statisticians working in any phase of research who want to learn more about influencing decision making regarding SATs. Attendees will learn more about past, current and future uses of SATs; the contexts in which SATs will and will not meet objectives; and how to influence decision makers to consider alternatives. This session will be highly interactive and questions and feedback are absolutely welcome!
Speaker details
Speaker
Biography
Yulia Dyachkova
Yulia Dyachkova is a highly experienced biostatistician with over 25 years in the pharmaceutical industry across multiple therapeutic areas (neuroscience, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and most extensively oncology). Passionate about working with cross-functional teams and helping non-statisticians understand statistical concepts, she has made significant contributions in the medical affairs area. Yulia has led all aspects of statistical launch activities in a broad variety of global markets including responsibility in HTA, RWE, generating and interpreting real world evidence, designing phase IV studies. She has been involved as author/co-author of many manuscripts published in medical and statistical peer review journals.
Currently, Yulia works at Merck as an Associate Director Biostatistician. Yulia holds a Master degree in Biostatistics, from University of British Columbia, Vancouver.
Nathalie Barbier
Nathalie Barbier is an experienced leader of statisticians with more than 30 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical industry. She has a broad range of experience in successful drug development projects, from pre-clinical research to post submission profiling and health economics within different therapeutic areas. She is currently Global group Head in Global Medical Affairs and Access Biostatistics at Novartis Pharma Basel.
Cornelia Dunger-Baldauf
Cornelia Dunger-Baldauf has more than 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry as a lead statistician in roles with increasing levels of responsibility. When overseeing all development phases of a Therapeutic Area, her responsibility included RWE evaluation. RWE became one of her research topics. She joined the Statistical Methodology Group at Novartis 3 years ago to lead a team working on a project which combines evidence from RCTs and clinical practice.
Training Courses
PSI Launch & Lifecycle SIG Webinar: Do you want to stay single? Considerations on single arm trials in the post-regulatory space
Date: Thursday 5th October Time:11:00-12:00 BST | 12:00-13:00 CEST
Location: Online Speakers: Yulia Dyachkova (Merck), Nathalie Barbier (Novartis) and Cornelia Dunger-Baldauf (Novartis).
Who is this event intended for? Statisticians working in any phase of research who want to learn more about influencing the conduct of single arm trials. What is the benefit of attending? Attendees will have the chance to learn more about influencing non-statistical stakeholders to choose designs and data sources that will best address their questions. As the host SIG, we will also utilise this as an opportunity to get critical feedback from attendees which will help to shape ideas for an upcoming manuscript.
Registration
This event is free to both Members of PSI and Non-Members.
To register for this event, please click here.
Overview
Do you really want to stay single? Single arm trials (SAT) are not preferred but often accepted by regulators in oncology and in rare disease when potential effects of new treatments are very large and placebo treatment is unethical. However, in the post-regulatory space, SAT are common, and perhaps even more poorly suited to address the questions of interest. We will present the most frequently asked questions in the post-marketing space, the reasons why SATs are not able to address these questions, and how statisticians might reasonably influence decision makers to consider alternatives.
This session is applicable to statisticians working in any phase of research who want to learn more about influencing decision making regarding SATs. Attendees will learn more about past, current and future uses of SATs; the contexts in which SATs will and will not meet objectives; and how to influence decision makers to consider alternatives. This session will be highly interactive and questions and feedback are absolutely welcome!
Speaker details
Speaker
Biography
Yulia Dyachkova
Yulia Dyachkova is a highly experienced biostatistician with over 25 years in the pharmaceutical industry across multiple therapeutic areas (neuroscience, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and most extensively oncology). Passionate about working with cross-functional teams and helping non-statisticians understand statistical concepts, she has made significant contributions in the medical affairs area. Yulia has led all aspects of statistical launch activities in a broad variety of global markets including responsibility in HTA, RWE, generating and interpreting real world evidence, designing phase IV studies. She has been involved as author/co-author of many manuscripts published in medical and statistical peer review journals.
Currently, Yulia works at Merck as an Associate Director Biostatistician. Yulia holds a Master degree in Biostatistics, from University of British Columbia, Vancouver.
Nathalie Barbier
Nathalie Barbier is an experienced leader of statisticians with more than 30 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical industry. She has a broad range of experience in successful drug development projects, from pre-clinical research to post submission profiling and health economics within different therapeutic areas. She is currently Global group Head in Global Medical Affairs and Access Biostatistics at Novartis Pharma Basel.
Cornelia Dunger-Baldauf
Cornelia Dunger-Baldauf has more than 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry as a lead statistician in roles with increasing levels of responsibility. When overseeing all development phases of a Therapeutic Area, her responsibility included RWE evaluation. RWE became one of her research topics. She joined the Statistical Methodology Group at Novartis 3 years ago to lead a team working on a project which combines evidence from RCTs and clinical practice.
Journal Club
PSI Launch & Lifecycle SIG Webinar: Do you want to stay single? Considerations on single arm trials in the post-regulatory space
Date: Thursday 5th October Time:11:00-12:00 BST | 12:00-13:00 CEST
Location: Online Speakers: Yulia Dyachkova (Merck), Nathalie Barbier (Novartis) and Cornelia Dunger-Baldauf (Novartis).
Who is this event intended for? Statisticians working in any phase of research who want to learn more about influencing the conduct of single arm trials. What is the benefit of attending? Attendees will have the chance to learn more about influencing non-statistical stakeholders to choose designs and data sources that will best address their questions. As the host SIG, we will also utilise this as an opportunity to get critical feedback from attendees which will help to shape ideas for an upcoming manuscript.
Registration
This event is free to both Members of PSI and Non-Members.
To register for this event, please click here.
Overview
Do you really want to stay single? Single arm trials (SAT) are not preferred but often accepted by regulators in oncology and in rare disease when potential effects of new treatments are very large and placebo treatment is unethical. However, in the post-regulatory space, SAT are common, and perhaps even more poorly suited to address the questions of interest. We will present the most frequently asked questions in the post-marketing space, the reasons why SATs are not able to address these questions, and how statisticians might reasonably influence decision makers to consider alternatives.
This session is applicable to statisticians working in any phase of research who want to learn more about influencing decision making regarding SATs. Attendees will learn more about past, current and future uses of SATs; the contexts in which SATs will and will not meet objectives; and how to influence decision makers to consider alternatives. This session will be highly interactive and questions and feedback are absolutely welcome!
Speaker details
Speaker
Biography
Yulia Dyachkova
Yulia Dyachkova is a highly experienced biostatistician with over 25 years in the pharmaceutical industry across multiple therapeutic areas (neuroscience, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and most extensively oncology). Passionate about working with cross-functional teams and helping non-statisticians understand statistical concepts, she has made significant contributions in the medical affairs area. Yulia has led all aspects of statistical launch activities in a broad variety of global markets including responsibility in HTA, RWE, generating and interpreting real world evidence, designing phase IV studies. She has been involved as author/co-author of many manuscripts published in medical and statistical peer review journals.
Currently, Yulia works at Merck as an Associate Director Biostatistician. Yulia holds a Master degree in Biostatistics, from University of British Columbia, Vancouver.
Nathalie Barbier
Nathalie Barbier is an experienced leader of statisticians with more than 30 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical industry. She has a broad range of experience in successful drug development projects, from pre-clinical research to post submission profiling and health economics within different therapeutic areas. She is currently Global group Head in Global Medical Affairs and Access Biostatistics at Novartis Pharma Basel.
Cornelia Dunger-Baldauf
Cornelia Dunger-Baldauf has more than 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry as a lead statistician in roles with increasing levels of responsibility. When overseeing all development phases of a Therapeutic Area, her responsibility included RWE evaluation. RWE became one of her research topics. She joined the Statistical Methodology Group at Novartis 3 years ago to lead a team working on a project which combines evidence from RCTs and clinical practice.
Webinars
PSI Launch & Lifecycle SIG Webinar: Do you want to stay single? Considerations on single arm trials in the post-regulatory space
Date: Thursday 5th October Time:11:00-12:00 BST | 12:00-13:00 CEST
Location: Online Speakers: Yulia Dyachkova (Merck), Nathalie Barbier (Novartis) and Cornelia Dunger-Baldauf (Novartis).
Who is this event intended for? Statisticians working in any phase of research who want to learn more about influencing the conduct of single arm trials. What is the benefit of attending? Attendees will have the chance to learn more about influencing non-statistical stakeholders to choose designs and data sources that will best address their questions. As the host SIG, we will also utilise this as an opportunity to get critical feedback from attendees which will help to shape ideas for an upcoming manuscript.
Registration
This event is free to both Members of PSI and Non-Members.
To register for this event, please click here.
Overview
Do you really want to stay single? Single arm trials (SAT) are not preferred but often accepted by regulators in oncology and in rare disease when potential effects of new treatments are very large and placebo treatment is unethical. However, in the post-regulatory space, SAT are common, and perhaps even more poorly suited to address the questions of interest. We will present the most frequently asked questions in the post-marketing space, the reasons why SATs are not able to address these questions, and how statisticians might reasonably influence decision makers to consider alternatives.
This session is applicable to statisticians working in any phase of research who want to learn more about influencing decision making regarding SATs. Attendees will learn more about past, current and future uses of SATs; the contexts in which SATs will and will not meet objectives; and how to influence decision makers to consider alternatives. This session will be highly interactive and questions and feedback are absolutely welcome!
Speaker details
Speaker
Biography
Yulia Dyachkova
Yulia Dyachkova is a highly experienced biostatistician with over 25 years in the pharmaceutical industry across multiple therapeutic areas (neuroscience, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and most extensively oncology). Passionate about working with cross-functional teams and helping non-statisticians understand statistical concepts, she has made significant contributions in the medical affairs area. Yulia has led all aspects of statistical launch activities in a broad variety of global markets including responsibility in HTA, RWE, generating and interpreting real world evidence, designing phase IV studies. She has been involved as author/co-author of many manuscripts published in medical and statistical peer review journals.
Currently, Yulia works at Merck as an Associate Director Biostatistician. Yulia holds a Master degree in Biostatistics, from University of British Columbia, Vancouver.
Nathalie Barbier
Nathalie Barbier is an experienced leader of statisticians with more than 30 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical industry. She has a broad range of experience in successful drug development projects, from pre-clinical research to post submission profiling and health economics within different therapeutic areas. She is currently Global group Head in Global Medical Affairs and Access Biostatistics at Novartis Pharma Basel.
Cornelia Dunger-Baldauf
Cornelia Dunger-Baldauf has more than 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry as a lead statistician in roles with increasing levels of responsibility. When overseeing all development phases of a Therapeutic Area, her responsibility included RWE evaluation. RWE became one of her research topics. She joined the Statistical Methodology Group at Novartis 3 years ago to lead a team working on a project which combines evidence from RCTs and clinical practice.
Careers Meetings
PSI Launch & Lifecycle SIG Webinar: Do you want to stay single? Considerations on single arm trials in the post-regulatory space
Date: Thursday 5th October Time:11:00-12:00 BST | 12:00-13:00 CEST
Location: Online Speakers: Yulia Dyachkova (Merck), Nathalie Barbier (Novartis) and Cornelia Dunger-Baldauf (Novartis).
Who is this event intended for? Statisticians working in any phase of research who want to learn more about influencing the conduct of single arm trials. What is the benefit of attending? Attendees will have the chance to learn more about influencing non-statistical stakeholders to choose designs and data sources that will best address their questions. As the host SIG, we will also utilise this as an opportunity to get critical feedback from attendees which will help to shape ideas for an upcoming manuscript.
Registration
This event is free to both Members of PSI and Non-Members.
To register for this event, please click here.
Overview
Do you really want to stay single? Single arm trials (SAT) are not preferred but often accepted by regulators in oncology and in rare disease when potential effects of new treatments are very large and placebo treatment is unethical. However, in the post-regulatory space, SAT are common, and perhaps even more poorly suited to address the questions of interest. We will present the most frequently asked questions in the post-marketing space, the reasons why SATs are not able to address these questions, and how statisticians might reasonably influence decision makers to consider alternatives.
This session is applicable to statisticians working in any phase of research who want to learn more about influencing decision making regarding SATs. Attendees will learn more about past, current and future uses of SATs; the contexts in which SATs will and will not meet objectives; and how to influence decision makers to consider alternatives. This session will be highly interactive and questions and feedback are absolutely welcome!
Speaker details
Speaker
Biography
Yulia Dyachkova
Yulia Dyachkova is a highly experienced biostatistician with over 25 years in the pharmaceutical industry across multiple therapeutic areas (neuroscience, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and most extensively oncology). Passionate about working with cross-functional teams and helping non-statisticians understand statistical concepts, she has made significant contributions in the medical affairs area. Yulia has led all aspects of statistical launch activities in a broad variety of global markets including responsibility in HTA, RWE, generating and interpreting real world evidence, designing phase IV studies. She has been involved as author/co-author of many manuscripts published in medical and statistical peer review journals.
Currently, Yulia works at Merck as an Associate Director Biostatistician. Yulia holds a Master degree in Biostatistics, from University of British Columbia, Vancouver.
Nathalie Barbier
Nathalie Barbier is an experienced leader of statisticians with more than 30 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical industry. She has a broad range of experience in successful drug development projects, from pre-clinical research to post submission profiling and health economics within different therapeutic areas. She is currently Global group Head in Global Medical Affairs and Access Biostatistics at Novartis Pharma Basel.
Cornelia Dunger-Baldauf
Cornelia Dunger-Baldauf has more than 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry as a lead statistician in roles with increasing levels of responsibility. When overseeing all development phases of a Therapeutic Area, her responsibility included RWE evaluation. RWE became one of her research topics. She joined the Statistical Methodology Group at Novartis 3 years ago to lead a team working on a project which combines evidence from RCTs and clinical practice.
Upcoming Events
Joint PSI/EFSPI Visualisation SIG 'Wonderful Wednesday' Webinars
Our monthly webinar explores examples of innovative data visualisations relevant to our day to day work. Each month a new dataset is provided from a clinical trial or other relevant example, and participants are invited to submit a graphic that communicates interesting and relevant characteristics of the data.
Topic: R Package Basics.
Our monthly webinar series allows attendees to gain practical knowledge and skills in open-source coding and tools, with a focus on applications in the pharmaceutical industry. This month’s session, “R Package Basics,” will introduce the fundamentals of working with R packages—covering how to install, load, and manage them effectively to support data analysis and reproducible research. The session will provide a solid starting point, clarify common misconceptions, and offer valuable resources for continued learning.
Date: Ongoing 6 month cycle beginning late April/early May 2026
Are you a member of PSI looking to further your career or help develop others - why not sign up to the PSI Mentoring scheme? You can expand your network, improve your leadership skills and learn from more senior colleagues in the industry.
PSI Book Club Lunch and Learn: Communicating with Clarity and Confidence
If you have read Ros Atkins’ book The Art of Explanation or want to listen to the BBC’s ‘Communicator in Chief’, you are invited to join the PSI Book Club Lunch and Learn, to discuss the content and application with the author, Ros Atkins. Having written the book within the context of the news industry, Ros is keen to hear how we have applied the ideas as statisticians within drug development and clinical trials. There will be dedicated time during the webinar to ASK THE AUTHOR any questions – don’t miss out on this exclusive PSI Book Club event!
Haven’t read the book yet? Pick up a copy today and join us.
Explanation - identifying and communicating what we want to say - is described as an art, in the title of his book. However, the creativity comes from Ros’ discernment in identifying and describing a clear step-by-step process to follow and practice. Readers can learn Ros’ rules, developed and polished throughout his career as a journalist, to help communicate complex written or spoken information clearly.
PSI Training Course: Effective Leadership – the keys to growing your leadership capabilities
This course will consist of three online half-day workshops. The first will be aimed at building trust, the backbone of leadership and a key to becoming effective. This is key to building a solid foundation.
The second will be on improving communication as a technical leader. This workshop will focus on communication strategies for different stakeholders and will involve tips on effective communication and how to develop the skills of active listening, coaching and what improv can teach us about good communication.
The final workshop will bring these two components together to help leaders become more influential. This will also focus on how to use Steven Covey’s 7-Habits, in particular Habits 4, 5 and 6, which are called the habits of communication.
The workshops will be interactive, allowing you to practice the concepts discussed. There will be plenty of time for questions and discussion. There will also be reflective time where you can think about what you are learning and how you might experiment with it.