From FIH to POC — Designing Phase I/Ib Trials with Efficiency

Biotech, Clinical Trials, Drug Discovery & Development, Life Science, Patient Recruitment & Retention, Pharma,
  • Wednesday, February 25, 2026

The future of drug development starts with smarter early-phase trials. Moving from first-in-human (FIH) to proof-of-concept (POC) is a major milestone, and the foundation for innovation that transforms patient care.

In this webinar, the featured speaker will explore how adaptive study designs and strategic site choices can unlock new possibilities, enabling biotech leaders to accelerate breakthroughs and bring life-changing therapies to market faster. Join us to learn how integrating adaptive study designs can help eliminate unnecessary “white space” between milestones and aid progression from FIH to POC.

By integrating flexibility into trial design, sponsors can respond dynamically to emerging data, streamline decision-making and accelerate timelines without compromising scientific rigor. The speaker will also examine the role of strategically selected sites in complementing commercial Clinical Research Units (CRUs). These specialized sites bring unique capabilities — such as access to targeted patient populations and highly skilled teams — that enhance operational delivery and support complex protocols. This approach ensures that trials are not only faster but also more robust and representative.

Register for the webinar to learn how strategic site selection and adaptive study design can elevate the execution of Phase I/Ib trials.

Speaker

Aatir Butt, MS, CPM, Senior Director, Global Project Management, Clinical Pharmacology Services, Fortrea

Aatir Butt, MS, CPM, Senior Director, Global Project Management, Clinical Pharmacology Services, Fortrea

Aatir Butt is a seasoned leader in clinical research with nearly 20 years of experience in project management across early-phase clinical development. Currently serving as Senior Director, Global Project Management at Fortrea (formerly Covance and Labcorp), Aatir leads strategic initiatives and operational delivery in Fortrea’s integrated delivery model for FIH to POC, driving innovation and client satisfaction.

Message Presenter

Who Should Attend?

This webinar will appeal to:

  • Biotech developers getting ready for First in Human / clinical development
  • Companies with asset(s) late in toxicology seeking to be ready for what’s next

What You Will Learn

Attendees will:

  • Learn how adaptive study designs can eliminate white space and accelerate the path from first-in-human (FIH) to proof-of-concept (POC)
  • Discover how strategically selected sites can complement commercial Clinical Research Units (CRUs) with specialized teams and patient access to optimize operational delivery
  • Gain insight into a flexible, integrated matrix model and global Phase I patient experience, supported by deep therapeutic expertise in complex indications such as endocrinology and metabolism, inflammatory diseases, neuroscience and rare diseases

Xtalks Partner

Fortrea

Fortrea (Nasdaq: FTRE) is a leading global provider of clinical development solutions to the life sciences industry. We partner with emerging and large biopharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device and diagnostic companies to drive healthcare innovation that accelerates life changing therapies to patients. Fortrea provides phase I-IV clinical trial management, clinical pharmacology and consulting services. Fortrea’s solutions leverage three decades of experience spanning more than 20 therapeutic areas, a passion for scientific rigor, exceptional insights and a strong investigator site network. Our talented and diverse team working in about 100 countries is scaled to deliver focused and agile solutions to customers globally. Learn more about how Fortrea is becoming a transformative force from pipeline to patient at Fortrea.com and follow us on LinkedIn and X.

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