BLIPS for the Future

July 2006

The BILAG group developed a revised index in 2004 which is currently undergoing clinical validation and revision. Although this may result in a new software product in 2007, it is not expected that it will be used in clinical trials immediately.

The newly released BLIPS version 4.0 product is based on the BILAG algorithm which has been clinically validated over the last 21 years. It is expected that BLIPS 4.0 will remain the core BILAG product for the foreseeable future. 

In a separate development, ADS-Limathon have been working with Ionasys Incorporated to develop a web enabled version of BLIPS, to be known as i-BLIPS. Based on the BLIPS 4.0 calculation algorithm, the product retains many of the familiar features of BLIPS, but instead of being MS Access based, it is written in Java, and runs TOMCAT and a MYSQL database, located on a hosted server. This will be initially aimed at Clinical Studies but it may also prove valuable to collaborating clinics such as BILAG and SLICC. It provides the Study Organisers all the major benefits associated with internet applications, including a central database and a simple front end deployment in Internet Explorer. No installation on the users PC is required. After the user has been registered in the database, it is a simple task of entering the web address, and logging on with a user name and password.

The development of i-BLIPS is progressing well and a 'Proof of Concept' product is already available for demonstration. The next steps involve testing the calculation algorithms in order to validate the software before it can be deployed to a secure server for use in a live study. ADS-Limathon are actively seeking to engage a pharmaceutical sponsor to progress this project from proof of concept to a live study environment.