Publication planning is more than publishing a pivotal manuscript and considering the job done. A strong plan ensures your science reaches the right audiences, at the right time, in the right way, so more people engage with the data and ultimately help achieve the best possible outcomes for patients.
At JB Ashtin, we help pharma and biotech teams move beyond a “paper published, box checked” mindset. The best strategies are proactive, integrated, and designed to amplify impact.
1. Plain Language Summaries of Publication (PLSPs) Increase Accessibility
PLSPs are becoming more of an expectation than a “nice-to-have.” The intent of PLSPs is to make research accessible to non-specialists, including patients and caregivers, and reinforce transparency.
We recommend building PLSPs into the publication plan from the start. An effective approach to developing PLSPs is to collaborate with the original publication’s authors and patient reviewers. This is a transparent approach that gives the PLSP credibility. One of our recent PLSPs translated a complex study involving over 18,000 children into accessible language for caregivers and patients. This work was a collaborative effort between clinicians, patient advocates, and our internal team, out the full summary here.
2. Data Visualizations That Tell a Story
Complex data needs more than a table to make an impact. Consider developing graphical abstracts, infographics, and interactive figures to turn complex science into something memorable and shareable. A picture is worth a thousand words is true; they help clinicians, patients, and advocacy groups quickly grasp key results.
Our intention when creating visuals is to present data in a way that clarifies the message without compromising scientific accuracy.
One example: when patient photos weren’t possible due to confidentiality and stock images lacked the specificity and diversity required, we used AI to generate a representative face that adhered to the clinical characteristics of the disease while remaining scientifically precise. This ensured the image was both accurate and accessible, reinforcing the data rather than distracting from it. The client loved the result, which debuted in a poster at the American Academy of Dermatology and has since been repurposed across multiple settings, demonstrating both its flexibility and impact.
3. Extending the Life of Your Publication
Publishing the findings of a clinical trial is just the beginning of stakeholder education. The most effective publication teams plan for how the data will live beyond the journal through i, videos, podcasts, and other digital channels. This ensures the findings continue to reach HCPs who can act on the information to improve patient care.
Turning a single manuscript into multiple high-engagement assets can broaden reach, deepen engagement, and create more opportunities to connect science to care. There is great opportunity that outweighs any budget concerns of publication teams. Cross-functional alignment and early planning are key to success.
4. Using AI with the Right Oversight
AI-assisted writing tools can potentially decrease the time to generate a first draft, speed up the time to identify gaps, and ensure consistency across large, multi-author projects. Theoretically, using AI tools can improve efficiency so we get information into the hands of those who can use it sooner, ultimately supporting faster improvements in patient care. In reality, we are not there yet. There remain concerns about accuracy, privacy, and nuance that prevent many of us from using AI in the manuscript development process.
At JB Ashtin, we integrate AI into the brainstorming step: identifying gaps, suggesting interesting titles, and streamlining our research process, without jeopardizing our clients confidential data. This allows our writers to focus on scientific interpretation, clarity, and compliance.
We are more than medical writers. We craft publication strategies that empower HCPs, build credibility, and drive understanding in those who can make the greatest difference in patient care. Whether you are preparing for a launch or expanding your scientific footprint, we make certain your data work harder for you and are communicated clearly to HCPs, who in turn share these insights with their patients.
Ready to finetune your publication strategy? Give us a call.