Early Signals at ASCO 2026 | Can Real-World Evidence Bring Research Closer to Patients?

Can real-world evidence do more than support regulatory decisions? Could it fundamentally change how clinical research is designed, delivered and connected to patient care? 

In this episode of The Syneos Health Podcast: Early Signals, Wael Harb, MD, sits down with Justin Spencer, Chief Executive Officer of Azimuth Research Group, to explore how real-world evidence is reshaping oncology drug development. Together, they discuss why bridging the gap between healthcare delivery and clinical research has become one of the industry's greatest opportunities—and what it will take to generate higher-quality evidence while improving patient access to innovative therapies. 

The conversation examines the growing importance of integrated health system data, patient-centered research models and real-world evidence in supporting protocol design, trial recruitment and oncology development. Spencer also shares his perspective on how aligning healthcare providers, sponsors and patients around a common goal could accelerate drug development while improving access to new treatments. 

In this episode, you'll learn: 

• Why high-quality real-world evidence depends on understanding the clinical context behind the data.  

• How closer integration between healthcare systems and research may improve trial design and patient recruitment.  

• The growing role of real-world evidence in oncology drug development and regulatory decision-making.  

• Why patient-centered research models could help accelerate access to innovative cancer therapies.  

• What the future of oncology development may look like as healthcare, data and research become more connected.