Rheumatology

Rheumatic diseases are often defined by structural damage, inflammation, or both, which makes imaging a crucial tool for drug development in the area. Imaging can provide objective, quantitative and reproducible evidence of disease activity and treatment response.

Although multiple modalities are commonly used ( X-ray and ultrasound both being important here), MRI is increasingly considered to be the most powerful modality in rheumatology trials. Fides can, through Aperis, ingest and allow readers to view and annotate multiple modalities simultaneously.

Immune-mediated disease bring with them significant complexities from an imaging perspective, and require strong operations capabilities to address common points of concern in these trials:

• Site training to ensure consistent data acquisition standards;
• Comprehensive Reader training to harmonise the interpretation of data;
• Inter- and Intra-Reader variability over time

Fides marries scientific expertise to operational excellence to minimise these issues in trials.

Supported by a network of medical and radiology experts, Fides focuses on some key rheumatologic indications:

• Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
• Osteoarthritis (OA)
• Axial Spondyloarthritis (axSpA)
• Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA)
• Systemic Sclerosis (Scleroderma)
• Vasculitis and other inflammatory rheumatic diseases

Fides combines deep scientific expertise with operational excellence to address these challenges, delivering consistent, high-quality imaging outcomes that support regulatory-grade clinical research.

Our expertise spans the assessment of inflammation, structural damage, fibrosis, cartilage degeneration, and disease progression across multiple imaging modalities. We support both established and emerging imaging endpoints through standardised reading methodologies and validated scoring systems, including:

• RAMRIS (Rheumatoid Arthritis MRI Score)
• SPARCC Sacroiliac Joint Score
• SPARCC Spine Score
• Berlin MRI Score
• PsAMRIS
• Quantitative MRI and exploratory biomarker assessments

The flexibility of the Aperis platform enables the implementation of customised workflows and novel image analysis approaches, supporting the development and validation of innovative imaging biomarkers and experimental endpoints. This allows sponsors to incorporate both established regulatory endpoints and cutting-edge exploratory measures within a single, integrated imaging strategy.

From early-phase proof-of-concept studies through to pivotal registration trials, Fides provides the scientific expertise, imaging technology, and operational infrastructure required to support successful rheumatology drug development programmes.