CTSND

CTSND aggregates and visualizes ClinicalTrials.gov sponsorship data to map sponsor–product–condition relationships and support analysis of monopolistic patterns in clinical trials sponsorship.

Key Features:

• Data aggregation: Aggregates clinical trial records from ClinicalTrials.gov based on user-defined queries.
• Network mapping: Implements force-directed network mapping algorithms to visualize relationships among sponsors, evaluated products, and target conditions.
• Annotation layers: Enriches network visualizations with sponsor classes and sponsorship timelines to reveal structural and temporal patterns.
• Data linkage: Connects sponsorship networks to funding and conflict-of-interest datasets such as ConflictMetrics for cross-referenced analyses.

Scientific Applications:

• Monopolistic practice analysis: Supports research identifying patterns indicative of monopolistic behavior in clinical trials sponsorship that may contribute to high drug prices in the United States.
• Funding and conflict-of-interest analysis: Enables investigation of relationships between trial sponsorship, research funding, and conflicts of interest.

Methodology:

Aggregates and visualizes data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov using user-defined queries; uses force-directed network mapping algorithms to represent relationships between sponsors, evaluated products, and target conditions; annotates networks with sponsor classes and sponsorship timelines; developed as an R Shiny application.