Unlocking clinical trial data value is the key to transforming research from a one-off event into a compounding, strategic asset. Most clinical trial data is locked away after a study ends, but new platforms like Collective Minds are changing the game—enabling organizations to reuse and build on their data for future breakthroughs.
Despite the enormous investment in clinical trials, up to 90% of the data generated is never used again. This creates a "data graveyard" where valuable, well-structured information sits idle, missing its potential to inform new research, accelerate drug development, and improve patient outcomes.
"90% of clinical trial data fails to become actionable due to fragmentation and poor quality."
Lifebit
The cost of this lost opportunity is staggering, especially as R&D cycles lengthen and trial complexity grows. The industry is waking up to the need for smarter data strategies that unlock the full value of every trial.
Traditionally, clinical trials have been designed to answer a single research question. But what if every trial was also an investment in a reusable data asset? This paradigm shift is gaining traction among forward-thinking organizations and is central to the vision behind Collective Minds.
"A crucial reframing of what constitutes 'failure' in clinical research is needed; instead of simply discontinuing a development program, organizations should adopt a mindset that views all generated trial data as a multi-purpose asset"
LinkedIn by Doctors Explain Digital Health
By treating trial data as a strategic resource, companies can:
The future of clinical research lies in moving from static, siloed data (think PDFs and spreadsheets) to dynamic, reusable databases—often called data lakes. These platforms allow researchers to:
For example, with intelligent cohort discovery, a researcher can ask: "Show me all patients from our past five trials who had X mutation and failed to respond to Y therapy." This level of cross-trial analytics is only possible with a modern, integrated data platform.
"This is where data lakes come into play, offering a centralized repository that promotes collaboration among researchers. By storing data from various sources in a single location, data lakes enable cross-functional teams to work together seamlessly, regardless of their specific roles or expertise. Researchers can easily access and analyze data from different domains, such as genomics, electronic health records, and clinical trial results, fostering a more holistic approach to research."
Rad Aniba, CTO @ RanBioLinks
The European Health Data Space (EHDS) is set to accelerate this transformation by mandating data sharing and interoperability across the EU. Companies that help clients build compounding data assets—where each trial adds value to the next—will lead the future of clinical research.
"The EHDS has two primary goals: (1) improving individuals’ access to their EHD (primary use) and (2) enabling the sharing of EHD for secondary use purposes, which includes research."
Sidley
Organizations that embrace this vision will not only comply with new regulations but also unlock new business models, drive innovation, and deliver better outcomes for patients.
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Unlocking clinical trial data value is no longer optional—it's the foundation for future-ready research organizations. By shifting from trial execution to asset creation, adopting dynamic data platforms, and preparing for the EHDS era, companies can turn every trial into a compounding source of intelligence and competitive advantage.
Q: What is the main barrier to unlocking clinical trial data value?
A: Data fragmentation, lack of standardization, and outdated storage formats (like PDFs) are the biggest obstacles.
Q: How does the EHDS impact clinical trial data?
A: The EHDS will require organizations to make clinical trial data accessible for secondary use, driving the need for interoperable, reusable data platforms.
Q: What is intelligent cohort discovery?
A: It's the ability to search across multiple trials for specific patient groups using advanced queries, made possible by integrated data lakes and AI tools.
Main product features of Collective Minds Research for CROs and Pharma
Reviewed by: Carlos Santín Carballo on October 15, 2025