This four-part series marks 4G Clinical’s milestone of 1,000 studies launched. Through a series of conversations, we look back at what it took to get here — from the lessons we’ve learned to the trust we’ve built with our clients. Across the episodes, leaders from Product, Engineering, Sales, and Delivery share unique perspectives on innovation, collaboration, and the people and partnerships behind this achievement. Together, we celebrate the journey, reflect on the past, and look ahead to the future of clinical trial technology.
About the Episode
In this episode of The Next Frontier, host Libbi Rickenbacher welcomes Michael Carnes, VP of Product, and Patrick Chokron, VP of Engineering, for a conversation that celebrates 4G Clinical’s remarkable milestone of reaching 1,000 studies. Together, they reflect on what this achievement means to them personally and professionally and how it marks a turning point for both the company and the wider industry.
Michael and Patrick share candid insights into the journey of innovation and scalability that brought 4G Clinical to this point. From the early days of accelerating study delivery with natural language processing to supporting the growing demands of increasingly complex clinical trials, the evolution of the product and its infrastructure has been shaped by a culture of adaptability and collaboration. Along the way, they explore the balance between meeting immediate customer needs while building for the future.
The discussion also highlights the engineering challenges and opportunities that come with scaling technology to support thousands of studies. Patrick reflects on the importance of performance, security, and compliance, while also fostering innovation and creative problem-solving within his teams. Both guests underscore the significance of maintaining an entrepreneurial mindset while operating at scale — never losing sight of the next study, the next partner, and the next challenge.
Looking ahead, the episode turns to the “next frontier” for RTSM solutions. With themes of AI adoption, enterprise-level support, SaaS evolution, and sustainability at the forefront, Michael and Patrick share their vision for the future of clinical trial technology. Their perspectives not only celebrate what has been achieved but also invite listeners to consider the innovations still to come.
VP, Marketing and Partnerships
Libbi Rickenbacher, Sr. Director of Product Strategy and Partnerships, has over 15 years of experience in the field of life sciences and is an e-clinical RTSM solutions subject matter expert. Her experience lies in building and managing accounts, clients, and strategic initiatives. She holds a BA in both Neuroscience and Psychology and a Doctorate (PhD) in Neuroscience.
VP, Engineering
Patrick Chokron is VP, Technology Services for 4G Clinical. Patrick has over 14 years of experience in the clinical research industry where he has held management and technical positions, responsible for architecting and developing Clinical Trial Management Information Systems (CTMS), medical imaging and interpretation systems, Electronic Data Capture (EDC) and statistical analysis systems. During that time, he participated in the management, design, compliance, analysis and submission of numerous Phase II and pivotal Phase III clinical trials.Prior to his work in the clinical research industry, Patrick served as a Software Engineer and consultant developing process and information management software. Patrick earned his Bachelor's degree in computer science from McGill University in Montreal.
VP, Product
Michael Carnes, Director of 4C Supply at 4G Clinical, has been building and leading teams for over 20 years. He has held a number of roles in operations, finance, and IT in industries ranging from healthcare to semiconductor manufacturing. With deep experience in client services, he exhibits an entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to exceptional delivery. Michael holds a BA from University of Washington, an MS from University of Minnesota, and is also a Certified Public Accountant.