Real-World Data Platforms

Real-World Data · Platforms

Real-World Data Platforms

14 to 15 October 2026Hampton Inn by Hilton, Boston Seaport, USA

A real-world data platform is the engine room of modern evidence: where scattered healthcare data is unified, standardized and made ready to analyze.

The platforms powering the field, and the teams behind them, gather at RWE Connect 2026 in Boston.

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The data and platform trends shaping evidence. Instant download, three fields.










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    150+Attendees
    60%Director / VP and Above
    40+Speakers
    200+Meetings Facilitated

    The definition

    What a Real-World Data Platform Is

    A real-world data platform is the technology that turns raw, fragmented healthcare data into an asset that can be analyzed. It aggregates data from many sources, standardizes it, governs it and makes it ready for evidence generation.

    It is the foundation beneath real-world data analytics and the real-world evidence built on top of it.

    What they do

    Core Platform Capabilities

    A capable platform does far more than store data. These are the functions that define one.

    Data Integration
    Bringing many sources into one place.
    Standardization
    Mapping data to a common model.
    Cohort Building
    Defining the right patient groups.
    Analytics & Modeling
    Turning data into answers.
    Governance & Compliance
    Managing access, consent and rules.
    Interoperability
    Connecting with other systems.

    The landscape

    Types of Real-World Data Platform

    The market spans several kinds of platform, each built around a different strength. Many vendors exhibit at RWE Connect 2026.

    Data Aggregators
    Pool data from many providers.
    Analytics Platforms
    Focus on analysis and modeling.
    EHR & Claims Networks
    Built on clinical and claims data.
    Registry Platforms
    Purpose-built for registries.
    Federated Networks
    Analyze data where it lives.
    End-to-End RWE Platforms
    From data to finished evidence.

    How to choose

    How to Evaluate a Platform

    The right platform depends on your question. These are the dimensions that separate a good fit from a poor one.

    Data Breadth & Depth
    Enough of the right data for the question.
    Data Quality
    Accurate, complete and validated.
    Regulatory-Grade
    Built to withstand regulatory scrutiny.
    Analytics Power
    The methods and tooling on offer.
    Interoperability
    Fits your existing data stack.
    Security & Privacy
    Protects patients and meets the rules.

    The process

    Choosing the Right Platform

    A structured evaluation beats a feature checklist. This is the path to a confident choice.

    Step 1
    Define Your Use CaseWhat questions the platform must answer.
    Step 2
    Assess Data FitWhether it holds the data you need.
    Step 3
    Test Data QualityCheck accuracy and completeness.
    Step 4
    Check Analytics & InteropThe tooling and how it connects.
    Step 5
    Review GovernanceConsent, security and compliance.
    Step 6
    Pilot & ValidateProve it on a real question first.

    The direction of travel

    Where RWD Platforms Are Heading in 2026

    Platforms are becoming more open, more intelligent and more decision-grade. These are the shifts on the agenda at RWE Connect 2026.

    Cloud & Interoperability
    Open, connected, cloud-native platforms.
    AI-Native Analytics
    AI built into the platform core.
    Tokenized & Linked Data
    Connecting datasets across sources.
    Federated Models
    Insight without moving the data.
    Regulatory-Grade
    Platforms designed for submissions.
    Real-Time Data
    Evidence closer to the point of care.

    Who is in the room

    Who Attends RWE Connect 2026

    A senior, focused audience of the people who build, buy and run data platforms.

    60%Director / VP and Above
    Director / VP and AboveOther senior roles
    RWE & Real-World Data24%
    Data Science & Analytics22%
    HEOR & Market Access16%
    Clinical & Medical Affairs14%
    Epidemiology & Biostatistics12%
    Research, Academia & Startups12%

    Seniority is confirmed: 150+ attendees, around 60% at Director or VP level and above. The functional mix shown is indicative; confirmed registration splits are shared with sponsors from the live delegate list.

    Sponsor RWE Connect 2026

    Showcase Your Platform in Boston

    RWE Connect 2026 puts your platform in front of the people who buy and use it: 150+ attendees, around 60% at Director or VP level and above.

    Reach the BuyersThe RWE, data and analytics leaders who select platforms.
    Pre-Scheduled 1:1 MeetingsName the buyers you want; the Partnering Lounge books the meetings before the doors open.
    Demos and SpeakingShow your platform live to the teams evaluating one.

    RWE Connect 2026

    Get the RWE Pipeline Report 2026

    See the data and platform trends reshaping real-world evidence, then meet the teams building them in Boston.

    • What modern platforms must do
    • How to evaluate the market
    • Where platforms are heading in 2026

    Interested in sponsoring? See sponsorship options

    Get the RWE Pipeline Report 2026
    Instant download. Three fields.










      Free. Instant download. No obligation.

      Real-World Data Platforms: Common Questions

      What is a real-world data platform?

      A real-world data platform is a system that aggregates, standardizes, governs and analyzes real-world data such as EHRs, claims and registries, so it can be turned into real-world evidence.

      What capabilities should a real-world data platform have?

      Data integration, standardization to a common data model, cohort building, analytics and modeling, governance and compliance, and interoperability with other systems.

      What are the types of real-world data platform?

      Data aggregators, analytics platforms, EHR and claims networks, registry platforms, federated data networks, and end-to-end real-world evidence platforms.

      How do you evaluate a real-world data platform?

      Assess data breadth and depth, data quality, regulatory-grade credentials, analytics power, interoperability, and security and privacy protections against your specific use case.

      What is the difference between an RWD platform and an RWE platform?

      An RWD platform focuses on managing and preparing real-world data. An RWE platform extends that to generating evidence, often adding study design, analytics and reporting on top.

      What is a common data model?

      A common data model standardizes data from different sources into one structure, so analyses can run consistently and results can be compared across datasets.

      What is a federated data network?

      A federated network lets analyses run across multiple datasets without moving the data, protecting privacy while drawing insight from many sources.

      How do you ensure data quality on a platform?

      Through validation, standardization, provenance tracking, completeness checks and ongoing quality monitoring built into the platform.

      What makes a platform regulatory-grade?

      Fit-for-purpose data, documented provenance, validated quality, audit trails and processes aligned with regulatory expectations for real-world evidence.

      What is the difference between an RWD platform and a data warehouse?

      A data warehouse stores data. A real-world data platform adds the standardization, governance, analytics and study tooling needed to turn that data into evidence.

      What is RWE Connect 2026?

      RWE Connect 2026 is a two-day real-world evidence summit in Boston bringing together the RWE, HEOR and data leaders who generate and apply real-world evidence, with 40+ speakers and 150+ attendees.

      When and where is RWE Connect 2026?

      14 to 15 October 2026 at the Hampton Inn by Hilton, Boston Seaport District, Boston, MA.

      Join the Movement. Shape the Future.

      Be part of a community that’s redefining how the world measures healthcare impact.

      Join us at RWE Connect 2026
      where data meets decisions.

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