Held at the stunning location on the 78th floor of SkyPoint on the Gold Coast, the view wasn’t the only thing that impressed me. The event was packed with innovative discussions, presentations and insights that provided me with these key takeaways.

One of the highlights was hearing our collaborators, Professors Josh Davis and Steven Tong (pictured above), speak on ‘Designing Your Study,’ a topic closely aligned with the work we do at Spiral.

Cohesive and efficient design in clinical studies is crucial to the success of trials. At Spiral, adaptability is at our core, and we are always on the lookout for new methodologies to advance medical research and create solutions for the medical community and patients.

Connecting with researchers who are bringing innovative designs for new studies was a stand-out moment. The quick-fire presentations by early career researchers showcased the infectious disease community's support for research and a desire to keep pushing the boundaries of what is possible within our sector. The feedback they received will help them progress their trials, indicating a promising future for research in infectious diseases.

A key message from the meeting was the importance of diversity and early engagement with various groups:

• Engaging early with consumer groups to get feedback on the trial design.

• Engaging early with indigenous groups to ensure their perspectives are considered.

• Overcoming gender bias in study design by adapting based on the feedback from the intended cohort.

• Engaging early with statisticians to ensure trial feasibility.

• Engaging early with database providers like us to get feedback on CRF, eligibility paths, and estimated costs for grant submissions.

These insights only touched the surface of the learnings we took away, highlighting how valuable these events are for the medical industry and the advancement of treatments for people across the world.

-Audrey Shearer, CEO and Founder, Spiral Software