Unlocking Next-Gen POS Forecasting for Biopharma Success

In the high-stakes world of biopharma, advanced Probability of Success (POS) forecasting can revolutionize the landscape of clinical trials. By adopting next-gen POS forecasting models, companies can significantly improve clinical trial accuracy, resulting in a 44% boost in predictive precision. Unlike traditional benchmarks, which consider only basic factors, a comprehensive, data-driven approach can better forecast clinical trial outcomes and optimize decision-making.

Limitations of Traditional POS Benchmarks

Conventional POS benchmarks typically rely on three core factors: molecule type (large vs. small), therapeutic area, and whether the trial is for a lead indication or a line extension. While these factors provide a foundational framework, they fall short in today’s complex clinical trial landscape. Relying solely on historical data overlooks other critical variables, potentially limiting the success of clinical trials and impeding strategic trial design.

Example: POS Benchmarks in Phase 2 Autoimmune Disease Trials

Table Comparison of traditional Phase 2 POS benchmark probabilities vs. range of predicted probabilities driven by multiple attributes that support accurate predictions of clinical trial success.

Table 1. – Comparison of traditional Phase 2 POS benchmark probabilities vs. range of predicted probabilities driven by multiple attributes that support accurate predictions of clinical trial success.

Consider Phase 2 clinical trials for autoimmune diseases. Traditional “batting average” benchmarks fail to account for the wide range of trial-level POS estimates. These benchmarks may provide an incomplete picture, leading to suboptimal trial designs and missed opportunities for success.

Harnessing the Power of Data and Machine Learning

Next-gen POS forecasting models incorporate large-scale data and machine learning (ML) techniques to integrate 14 factors into clinical trial models. These enhanced models deliver a deeper understanding of how trial design choices impact success rates, ultimately improving decision-making accuracy.

In a direct comparison between traditional benchmarks and our ML-based predictions, the latter showed a 44% improvement in accuracy. This improvement can be a game-changer for clinical trial planners working on multi-billion-dollar development plans. Additionally, our models allow for identifying which factors most influence POS, enabling more tailored and strategic trial designs.

Key Factors in Next-Gen POS Forecasting Models

Our next-generation POS models incorporate a wide range of factors, including:

  • Investigational Drug Characteristics: Whether the drug is approved for other indications, its mechanism of action, and its modality.
  • Trial Indication: Challenges posed by different diseases and the success rate of past trials targeting the same condition.
  • Sponsor Experience: The sponsor’s track record in the targeted disease area and development phase.
  • Trial Design: Factors such as monotherapy vs. combination therapy, the use of active comparators, trial duration, and patient enrollment numbers.

For example, in Phase 2 hematological drug trials, the predictive power distribution was as follows:

  • Drug Characteristics: 37%
  • Trial Indication: 2%
  • Sponsor Experience: 23%
  • Trial Design: 38%

Back-Testing and Predictive Accuracy

Illustration 1 – Distribution of importance for multiple drivers of prediction accuracy in Heme Oncology highlights that these drivers vary depending on stage of development, underscoring need for a machine learning-based multi-attribute model for predicting clinical trial success.

When back-tested, our next-gen POS models accurately predicted the outcomes of Phase 2 hematological trials 80% of the time, significantly outperforming traditional benchmarks. Notably, the factors influencing success varied across different trial phases and disease areas, emphasizing the need for customized POS models.

Illustration: Phase-Specific Variability in Predictive Power

Illustration 2 – Distribution of importance for multiple drivers of prediction accuracy varies by stage of development and across disease areas, highlighting that traditional POS benchmarks are insufficient to drive improvement when forecasting clinical trial success.

Our research found that the factors influencing the success of hematological drugs in Phase 2 trials differed from those in Phase 1 and Phase 3. This variability highlights the importance of context-specific forecasting models, as no single approach works for all trial phases.

Conclusion: Embracing Next-Generation POS Forecasting

The takeaway is clear: next-generation POS forecasting offers a more accurate and data-driven approach to predicting clinical trial success. By considering a broader and more relevant set of factors, biopharma companies can make better-informed decisions, reduce financial risk, and improve the likelihood of advancing new drugs through clinical trials.

Adopting these advanced models enables companies to leverage proprietary insights, ultimately enhancing their competitive edge. As the biopharma industry continues to evolve, embracing next-gen POS forecasting will be essential for those looking to lead in drug development. Now is the time to take advantage of this transformative approach.


OZMOSI’s Next-Gen POS Forecasting Model

At OZMOSI, our proprietary POS forecasting model integrates 14 critical factors, offering the most granular POS estimates available. Powered by BEAM, the cleanest clinical trial data source in the biopharma industry, our model draws from tens of thousands of trials. Whether you’re forecasting future trial outcomes or evaluating the risk-adjusted value of your R&D portfolio, our model is an indispensable tool for navigating the complexities of clinical trial planning.

Accuracy Comparison: Traditional vs. OZMOSI’s POS Forecasting Model

Using a holdout sample of resolved Phase 1-3 clinical trials, OZMOSI compared the accuracy of traditional benchmarks against our proprietary POS forecasting model. Our model demonstrated a 44% improvement in F-score, a widely accepted measure of predictive performance, confirming its superiority in forecasting clinical trial success.

Who is Winning in Innovation and How are They Balancing Risk?

Examining the innovation-to-risk balance among the pharmaceutical industry’s top companies In our previous post, we evaluated the pharmaceutical industry’s leading companies in terms of overall R&D pipeline strength, resulting in Roche, AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers...

Who’s Winning the Pharmaceutical R&D Pipeline Race in 2025

The leaders, the contenders, and the strategies for success As we approach the 4th quarter of 2025, let’s review where the pharmaceutical industry’s leading companies rank in terms of overall pipeline strength.Roche, AstraZeneca, and Bristol-Myers Squibb sit in a...

7 Small-Cap Biotech Companies to Watch at AACR in April

We anticipate scientific reviews and clinical trial updates from 40 companies on nearly 80 oncology development programs at the upcoming American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting, which will take place April 5-10 in San Diego. The information...

Market Overview: GLP-1 Agonists and the Obesity Market

Introduction to GLP-1 AgonistsGLP-1 agonists have been pivotal in the pharmaceutical market for nearly two decades, beginning with the FDA approval of AstraZeneca’s Byetta in 2005. Since then, the landscape has seen numerous entries and exits, leaving Novo Nordisk and...

Not Your Grandparents’ Probability of Success Forecasts

Redefining Probability of Success in Pharma: A Data-Driven Revolution In the world of pharmaceutical strategic planning and analytics, traditional Probability of Success (POS) forecasts are a familiar, yet often frustrating approach to assessing clinical risk. While...

Clinical Trial Success Rates: What Makes Some Companies Stand Out?

Our comprehensive analysis of over 30,000 clinical trials across more than 4,000 biopharmaceutical companies reveals significant variations in clinical trial success rates. This disparity exists even among trials in the same phase and targeting the same disease,...

Uncovering New Catalyst Events in the Pharmaceutical and Biotech Markets

The Challenges with Predicting Catalyst Events “Chasing headlines” for catalyst events in the biotech and pharmaceutical markets is a common frustration of investing in these spaces. Predicting these headlines in advance is a primary goal, along with mastering the...

Finding the Needle in a Haystack with NLP

The problem with Big Data is that it is so Big!  This issue is especially true in the world of healthcare and drug development.  It is difficult to see across all the good clinical/scientific work going on around the world and understand exactly where we are headed...

Using Data to Optimize Clinical Trial Recruitment

The Importance of a High-Performing Clinical Trial Partnership Pharmaceutical companies are heavily dependent on clinical trials to assist with the placement, promotion, and sales of their products. If they are introducing a new mechanism of action (MOA) or modality...

Healthiest States Index of The USA 2024

Health and wellness are pivotal for leading a wholesome life. Good health is a blessing. Time and health are the two most precious assets for human beings. Good health provides better possibilities for us to overcome challenges in life and reap its benefits.  Do you...