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Connecting data with knowledge

We design information systems for clinical studies and analytics that help researchers, healthcare organisations and industry turn data into evidence and knowledge.

Artificial intelligence for data review

About us

We help create and develop knowledge.

IS4Science was founded in June 2013 with an innovative, flexible mindset. We provide information technology consulting and services for the creation, development and management of science in health — medicine, food, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. Our main focus is clinical research (observational, registry, epidemiological and economic evaluation studies) and studies on functional products.

Vision

Scientific research, whatever the field, is one of the engines of development and welfare in every society. We embrace global challenges across multiple markets and aim to be a reference partner in science and knowledge management.

Mission

To deliver excellent services at competitive prices, with innovative and differentiating technology that empowers, encourages and promotes science — and improves the capacity and efficiency of its management.

Values

  • Innovation
  • Teamwork
  • Transparency
  • Quality & accuracy
  • Focus on results
  • Customer proximity

Experience

63 studies across 15 therapeutic areas.

Our platforms have supported studies in most fields of medicine. Oncology and haematology lead, followed by neurology and by respiratory, skin, metabolic, infectious and cardiovascular diseases.

The therapeutic areas we have worked in:

  • 13
    Oncology21% of all studies
  • 7
    Haematology11% of all studies
  • 7
    Neurology11% of all studies
  • Respiratory5
  • Dermatology5
  • Diabetes & metabolism5
  • Infectious diseases5
  • Cardiovascular5
  • Nephrology & urology3
  • Gastroenterology2
  • Ophthalmology2
  • Autoimmune diseases1
  • Psychiatry1
  • Public health & nutrition1
  • Medical devices1

Technology

Built to be secure, flexible and easy to use.

Flexibility

We adapt to the unique characteristics of each project and react quickly to change, making room for new solutions to new problems.

Optimised for the internet

Our applications are web-based and cross-platform — Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS. All you need is a modern browser; nothing to install.

Adaptable interfaces

Responsive design adapts every system to desktops, tablets and smartphones, for a great viewing and interaction experience on any screen.

User friendly

Designed so tasks are easy from the very first contact — and just as intuitive and efficient when you come back after a while away.

Security architecture

Two independent layers of protection stand between the internet and your data.

Perimeter protection Security gateway Application Your data Users Administrators
Layer 1
Perimeter protection Threats are stopped at the edge of the internet, before they ever reach our servers: user privacy is safeguarded, malicious bots are blocked, web attacks are filtered and flooding attacks are absorbed.
Layer 2 · Defence in depth

A private network that cannot be reached from the public internet.

Security gateway Every connection is checked against explicit rules. Intrusions are detected and blocked in real time, and known hostile sources are blocked automatically, with lists updated throughout the day.
Application Runs in its own isolated zone, never directly exposed to the internet.
Your data Held on its own separate server, reachable by the application only. Servers are dedicated, exclusive to each client.
  • Users reach the application only after passing every layer.
  • Administrators enter only through encrypted private access.
How traffic flows
UsersPublic internet
All web traffic
Layer 1

Perimeter protection

Threats are stopped at the edge of the internet, before they ever reach our servers.

  • User privacy safeguarded
  • Malicious bots blocked
  • Web attacks filtered
  • Flooding attacks absorbed
Only legitimate traffic passes
Our administratorsAuthorised staff only
Encrypted private access
Layer 2

Defence in depth

Behind the perimeter, applications and data live in a private network that cannot be reached from the public internet.

Security gateway
  • Every connection is checked against explicit rules
  • Intrusions are detected and blocked in real time
  • Known hostile sources are blocked automatically, with lists updated throughout the day
Application
  • Runs in its own isolated zone
  • Never directly exposed to the internet
Your data
  • Held on its own separate server
  • Reachable by the application only
  • Dedicated servers, exclusive to each client
  • Separate zones contain the impact of any incident

Artificial intelligence that reviews the data and raises the queries.

The artificial intelligence (AI) periodically analyses all the data entered in the eCRF and generates queries based on the Protocol and the other study documents. It takes the existing queries into account, so it never repeats a query on the same field, and it flags those that have related queries in the same record.

Automatic mode

Queries are created directly on the platform and identified as automatic.

With review

A list of proposed queries is generated, classified by severity and with suggested wording. The monitoring team approves or rejects each line, and the file is imported into the platform, creating all the approved queries at once.

Benefits

  • Discrepancies detected earlier and faster
  • Less monitor time lost: the monitor decides, not searches
  • Fewer duplicate queries
  • More and better data quality
  • A cleaner database at close-out

What each proposed query contains

Site and patient
The centre and the participant the query refers to.
Form and record
The form and the record where the issue was found.
Question and field
The exact question and field that needs to be checked.
Severity
How serious the discrepancy is, so the most important are reviewed first.
Rule source
The study rule that the data does not meet.
Observed
What was found in the data that led to the query.
Proposed query
The text suggested for the query.
Related existing query
Whether a query already exists on the same record.

Your study data, clearly visualised.

Study data as clear charts, tables and indicators.

  • Recruitment followed month by month, against the study target
  • A global report for the whole study and one for each centre
  • Each centre set beside the study as a whole, with filters by centre
  • Clinical results as distributions, risk matrices, funnels and age–sex pyramids
  • Questionnaires and scales scored and followed over time
  • Healthcare resource use and adverse events
  • And more…
  • Inclusions per month with a cumulative line
  • Donut chart of platinum-free interval at relapse
  • Box plots of days in hospital by level of care
  • Participants by sex at birth
  • Histogram of age at diagnosis
  • Bars of resource categories used in hospital
  • Stacked bars of satisfaction by week
  • Donut chart of response to chemotherapy
  • Histogram of time to diagnosis
  • Key indicator tiles for a study
  • Histogram of a biomarker expression
  • Small charts describing samples and biomarker results

Services

Tailored solutions, from protocol to publication.

We work closely with each client to identify goals, problems and the right processes, then shape customised, flexible services around real needs — so every project gets the solution it actually requires.

Technology services

  • Electronic Data Capture (EDC)
  • Database design and development
  • Randomisation systems (IWRS)
  • Discrepancy management systems
  • Electronic Patient-Reported Outcomes (ePRO)
  • Dashboards and decision support systems
  • Centralised integration through web services
  • Institutional and promotional websites
  • Electronic journals
  • Data digitisation

Registry & epidemiological studies

  • Study documents and materials: protocol, case report forms (paper and electronic), informed consent
  • Regulatory processes and submissions
  • Sample size calculation
  • Project management
  • Questionnaire applications
  • Data management
  • Statistical analysis
  • Medical writing

Observational studies & clinical trials

  • Study documents and materials: protocol, case report forms (paper and electronic), informed consent
  • Regulatory processes and submissions
  • Feasibility assessments
  • Project management
  • Monitoring
  • Pharmacovigilance
  • Data management and statistical analysis
  • Medical writing

Economic evaluation

  • Economic evaluation of medicinal products, medical devices and diagnostics
  • Economic models
  • Data collection
  • Quality-of-life studies
  • Micro-costing
  • Burden of disease

Data management & statistics

  • Sample definition and size calculation
  • Support in protocol preparation
  • Statistical Analysis Plan
  • Descriptive and comparative statistical analysis
  • Survival analysis
  • Statistical analysis reports
  • Meta-analysis, indirect comparison and risk analysis

Customised software development

Software built around your models and processes, with the user at the centre — a real differentiator for competitive organisations.

  • Automate and optimise internal and external processes
  • Aggregate, standardise and format information
  • Make information easy to read with charts, indicators and dashboards
  • Support management with agility and confidence

Software licensing & management

We supply and manage professional software licences tailored to your team — development tools such as JetBrains PhpStorm and artificial intelligence solutions such as Claude (Anthropic) and ChatGPT (OpenAI). Tell us which tools interest you and we will propose the option that fits best.

  • Acquisition and renewal of licences with official vendors
  • Centralised management of subscriptions and users
  • Guidance on the most suitable plan: individual, team or enterprise
  • Cost monitoring and optimisation of active licences

Clients

Who we work with.

We design and implement successful solutions by combining experience and technological expertise with a working knowledge of how organisations operate and what they need. These are the partners we serve.

Research & academia

  • Researchers
  • Study groups
  • Universities
  • Institutions & research centres
  • Clinical Research Organisations (CROs)

Healthcare

  • Physicians
  • Medical societies
  • Hospitals & health services
  • Patient associations

Industry

  • Pharmaceutical
  • Medical devices
  • Biotechnology
  • Biochemical
  • Cosmetics

Contact

Let’s turn your data into knowledge.

Tell us about your study, your data or the tool you need. We will get back to you with the approach that fits.

[email protected]

AddressRua Quinta Aragem, n.º 25
9050-531 Funchal
Madeira · Portugal

VAT number510733573

Email[email protected]