UCB, a global biopharmaceutical company, and Domino Data Lab, provider of a leading enterprise data science platform, have announced a strategic collaboration aimed at modernizing Statistical Computing Environments (SCE) for the life sciences industry. The partnership, announced on May 19, 2025, seeks to transform legacy statistical computing systems into unified, scalable, and flexible platforms that can meet the evolving demands of clinical research, regulatory compliance, and efficient data analysis.
Modernizing Statistical Computing for Enhanced Drug Development
The collaboration will implement a modern cloud-enabled environment that integrates diverse analytical tools, including SAS, R, and Python, within a unified framework. This platform will combine Domino's expertise in cloud technologies and open-source support with UCB's deep clinical research and regulatory knowledge, while maintaining compliance with critical industry standards like GxP, FDA 21 CFR Part 11, and GDPR.
Mike Branson, SVP and Head of Biometrics and Data Science at UCB, emphasized the importance of this initiative: "By harnessing advanced technologies to modernize our statistical computing environment and combining our expertise with Domino's cutting-edge platform, we aim to accelerate the development of innovative therapies for people living with severe diseases."
Branson further explained that the new SCE will embed critical metadata and workflow management to enable searchable, responsible data re-use, accelerating cutting-edge data science capabilities and enabling more efficient drug development and evidence-based decision making.
Accelerating Clinical Development Through Advanced Analytics
The modernized SCE is expected to deliver immediate benefits to researchers, data scientists, and ultimately patients by providing streamlined access to state-of-the-art analytical tools. By enhancing UCB's capabilities, the partnership aims to expedite the development of differentiated therapies, potentially offering faster, more tailored treatment options for those living with severe diseases.
Nick Elprin, CEO and co-founder of Domino Data Lab, expressed pride in the collaboration: "We're proud to partner with UCB to help patients get new therapies faster. Together, we aim to lead the way in modernizing Statistical Computing Environments to accelerate clinical development with greater speed, flexibility, and confidence."
The integration of advanced data science is expected to enable more efficient clinical studies by leveraging large-scale data analysis to enhance predictions about efficacy and tolerability of potential treatments.
Driving Industry-Wide Innovation
This collaboration aligns with UCB's broader scientific innovation strategy, which focuses on leveraging pathways, populations, and technology platforms to uncover the root biological causes of diseases, deepen understanding of patient populations, and accelerate R&D pipelines.
Beyond their own operations, UCB and Domino Data Lab have expressed a shared commitment to driving innovation across the life sciences industry. By contributing to initiatives like PHUSE and the SCE Coalition, the partnership aims to foster open-source principles, challenge industry norms, and establish global standards for efficient and compliant statistical environments.
Broader Impact on Pharmaceutical Research
The collaboration represents a significant step in the digital transformation of pharmaceutical research and development. By modernizing statistical computing capabilities, UCB aims to enhance its ability to analyze complex datasets, potentially leading to more precise identification of drug candidates and better understanding of patient populations.
For the broader life sciences industry, this partnership could serve as a model for how traditional pharmaceutical companies can leverage specialized technology partners to accelerate innovation and improve research outcomes. The emphasis on open-source principles and industry standards suggests a commitment to collaborative advancement rather than siloed development.
As pharmaceutical companies continue to face pressure to reduce development timelines and costs while improving success rates, partnerships that enhance data science capabilities may become increasingly critical to competitive advantage in the industry.
