Textbook

Together with two colleagues I have written an introductory Medical Statistics textbook.

Software

A considerable amount of software grew out of my research. Most of this code is made available as packages for the freely available software R and can be downloaded from CRAN.

R package: simIDM

Alexandra Erdmann and Kaspar Rufibach (2023): simIDM: Simulating Clinical Trials with Endpoints Progression-Free Survival and Overall Survival using an Illness-Death Model

github respository for code for follow-up quantification

Kaspar Rufibach, Lynda Grinsted, Jiang Li, Hans-Jochen Weber, Cheng Zheng, Jiangxiu Zhou (2023+): Quantification of follow-up time in oncology clinical trials with a time-to-event endpoint: Asking the right questions

R package: eventTrack

Kaspar Rufibach (2021): eventTrack: Event Prediction for Time-to-Event Endpoints

github repository and markdown file for SAVVY project: Survival analysis for AdVerse events with VarYing follow-up times

Regina Stegherr and Kaspar Rufibach (2020). SAVVY: estimation of AE probabilities.

github repository and markdown file for different analysis methods for principal stratum estimands motivated by the principal ignorability assumption

Björn Bornkamp, Kaspar Rufibach, Jianchang Lin, Yi Liu, Devan Mehrotra, Satrajit Roychoudhury, Heinz Schmidli, Yue Shentu, Marcel Wolbers (2020): Principal Stratum Strategy: Potential Role in Drug Development

github respository for MIRROS clinical trial design

Kaspar Rufibach, Dominik Heinzmann, Annabelle Monnet (2019): Integrating Phase 2 into Phase 3 based on an Intermediate Endpoint While Accounting for a Cure Proportion - with an Application to the Design of a Clinical Trial in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

R code to plan 3-arm group-sequential trial with FWER control for pairwise comparisons via closed testing

Elina Asikanius, Kaspar Rufibach, Jasmin Bahlo, Gabriele Bieska, Hans Ulrich Burger (2016). Comparison of design strategies for a three-arm clinical trial with time-to-event endpoint: power, time-to-analysis, and operational aspects. Biom. J., 58(6), 1295-1310.

R package: bpp

Kaspar Rufibach, Paul Jordan, Markus Abt (2016): bpp: Computations Around Bayesian Predictive Power

R package: SurvRegCensCov

Stanislas Hubeaux and Kaspar Rufibach (2014): SurvRegCensCov: Weibull Regression for a Right-Censored Endpoint with Interval-Censored Covariate

R package: logconcens

Dominic Schuhmacher, Kaspar Rufibach, and Lutz Duembgen (2011): logconcens: Maximum likelihood estimation of a log-concave density based on censored data

R package: logcondiscr

Kaspar Rufibach, Fadoua Balabdaoui, Hanna Jankowski, and Kathrin Weyermann (2011): logcondiscr: Estimate a Log-Concave Probability Mass Function from Discrete i.i.d. Observations

R package: biostatUZH

Leonhard Held and Kaspar Rufibach, with further contributions by others (2010): biostatUZH: Misc Tools of the Department of Biostatistics, EBPI, University of Zurich

R package: selectMeta

Kaspar Rufibach (2010): selectMeta: Estimation of Weight Functions in Meta Analysis

R package: OrdFacReg

Kaspar Rufibach (2009): OrdFacReg: Least Squares, Logistic, and Cox-Regression with Ordered Predictors

R package: OrdMonReg

Fadoua Balabdaoui, Kaspar Rufibach, Filippo Santambrogio (2009): OrdMonReg: Compute least squares estimates of one bounded or two ordered isotonic regression curves

R package: reporttools

Rufibach, K (2008): reporttools: Generate LaTeX Tables of Descriptive Statistics

R package: modehunt

Kaspar Rufibach and Guenther Walther (2007): modehunt: Multiscale Analysis for Density Functions

R package: smoothtail

Kaspar Rufibach and Samuel Mueller (2006): smoothtail: Smooth Estimation of GPD Shape Parameter

R package: logcondens

Kaspar Rufibach and Lutz Duembgen (2006): Estimate a Log-Concave Probability Density from i.i.d. Observations

A plea for a more principled approach to the analysis of time-to-event endpoints with competing risks, with a focus on analysis of AEs
Aug 28, 2023 00:00
Use of Bayesian Predictive Power in drug development: What to watch out for
Aug 6, 2023 00:00
tba
May 12, 2023 13:30

Teaching and thesis supervision

I am regularly teaching to statisticians and non-statisticians about various biostatistical topics. Slides are available for download for some of the courses.

At Roche, I am responsible for the technical training planning of about 200 biostatistics staff. I coordinate a major chunk of the biostatistics courses for non-statistics functions. A full-day introductory biostatistics course that I have given together with Marcel Wolbers has been selected as part of the official training program for all Roche affiliates globally.

2023/09: Advanced group-sequential and adaptive confirmatory clinical trial designs, with R practicals using rpact.

Kaspar Rufibach (Roche), Gernot Wassmer (rpact), Marc Vandemeulebroecke (Novartis), Marcel Wolbers (Roche)

2023/08: Causal Inference in Randomized Controlled Trials.

Mouna Akacha, Robin Dunn, Tianmeng Lyu (all Novartis), Shanti Gomatam (FDA), Kaspar Rufibach (Roche)

2023/04: Some challenges with implementing estimands in real life.

Within first Effective Statistician conference.

2023/03: Courses on basics of clinical trials, group-sequential designs, estimands, subgroup analysis.

Within MSc program Master of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Drug Development and Regulatory Affairs, University of Innsbruck, Austria.

2023: Improved treatment effect estimation in subgroups displayed in forest plots based on Bayesian shrinkage priors

Mar Vazquez Rabunal, 4-month full-time internship within Department of Biostatistics, Roche Basel. Co-supervised with Marcel Wolbers and Daniel Sabanes Bove (Roche Basel).

2022: Truncation by death for PRO data: causal inference perspective (internship presentation Amit Nityanand)

Amit Sawant, 4-month full-time internship within Department of Biostatistics, Roche Basel

2022/09: Advanced group-sequential and adaptive confirmatory clinical trial designs, with R practicals using rpact.

Marc Vandemeulebroecke, Kaspar Rufibach, Gernot Wassmer, and Marcel Wolbers, course on behalf of the BBS

2022/06: Estimands in Multiple Sclerosis.

Claude Berge, Frank Dahlke, and Kaspar Rufibach, Roche-internal course

2022/03: Confirmatory adaptive designs for drug developers.

Kaspar Rufibach and Marcel Wolbers, Roche-internal course

2021/12: Adaptive Design in Clinical Trials.

Kaspar Rufibach, shortcourse given in collaboration with DIA

2021/11: The final word on interim analyses.

Kaspar Rufibach, Roche-internal course

2021/10: How to survive survival analysis.

Kaspar Rufibach, Roche-internal course

2021/05: Implications of the ICH E9 estimand addendum on how we develop, run, and analyse clinical trials

Kaspar Rufibach, course for clinical reviewers at ANVISA (Brazilian Health Authority)

2021/05: Introduction to statistics.

Kaspar Rufibach, Roche-internal course

2021/02: Answering Old Questions with New Tools: Application of the ICH E9 Addendum in Oncology

Kaspar Rufibach and Godwin Yung, shortcourse given for all Roche biostatisticians

2021/02: Introduction to statistics.

Kaspar Rufibach, Roche-internal course

2020/12: Answering Old Questions with New Tools: Application of the ICH E9 Addendum in Oncology

Kaspar Rufibach and Evgeny Degtyarev, shortcourse given at 76th Annual Deming Conference on Applied Statistics

2020/11: Introduction to statistics.

Kaspar Rufibach, Roche-internal course

2020/09: Introduction to survival and interim analyses.

Kaspar Rufibach, Roche-internal course

2020/08: Introduction to biostatistics.

Kaspar Rufibach, Roche-internal course

2020/06: A toolbox for innovative confirmatory trial designs

Kaspar Rufibach and Marcel Wolbers, Roche-internal course

2020/01: Introduction to survival and interim analyses.

Kaspar Rufibach, Roche-internal course

2020/01: How to interpret subgroup analyses in clinical trials?

Kaspar Rufibach, Zurich University Hospital

2019: Sample size for prediction models

Xijin Chen, 3-month full-time internship within Department of Biostatistics, Roche Basel

2019/10: Introduction to statistics.

Kaspar Rufibach, Roche-internal course

2019/10: Group-sequential and adaptive clinical trial designs, with R practicals

Marc Vandemeulebroecke, Kaspar Rufibach, Gernot Wassmer, and Marcel Wolbers, course on behalf of the German Region of the IBS

2019/07: Advanced methods for group-sequential trials

Kaspar Rufibach and Marcel Wolbers, pre-conference course at ISCB 40, Leuven

2019/03: Advanced methods for group-sequential trials

Kaspar Rufibach and Marcel Wolbers, Roche-internal course

2019/01: Introduction to statistics in clinical trials

Kaspar Rufibach, Roche-internal course

2018/03: Group-sequential and adaptive clinical trial designs, with R practicals

Marc Vandemeulebroecke, Kaspar Rufibach, Daniel Sabanes-Bove, and Marcel Wolbers, course on behalf of the BBS

2018: Optimism-corrected treatment effect estimates in subgroups displayed in forest plots for time-to-event outcomes

Ke Li, master thesis to obtain MSc in biostatistics, Department of Biostatistics, University of Zurich

2017/11: Introduction to statistics.

Kaspar Rufibach, Roche-internal course

2017/07: Sample size planning and survival analysis in clinical trials.

Kaspar Rufibach and Marcel Wolbers, Roche-internal course

2017/04: Introduction to statistics.

Kaspar Rufibach, Roche-internal course

2017/03: Introduction to statistics.

Kaspar Rufibach, Roche-internal course

2016/11: Introduction to statistics.

Kaspar Rufibach, Roche-internal course

2016/10: Introduction to statistics.

Kaspar Rufibach, Roche-internal course

2016/08: Introduction to statistics.

Kaspar Rufibach, Roche-internal course

2016/05: Introduction to statistics.

Kaspar Rufibach, Roche-internal course

2016/03-11: Specific biostatistical topics in clinical trials.

Kaspar Rufibach, courses for medical doctors at five hospitals

2016/02: Introduction to statistics in clinical trials.

Kaspar Rufibach, Roche-internal course

2016/01-02: Introduction to statistics.

Kaspar Rufibach, Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) course, as part of the Master of Advanced Studies in Managed Health Care

2016: Joint Modelling of Overall Survival and Progression Free Survival

Matthias Meller, master thesis to obtain MSc in biostatistics, University of Ulm

2015/11: Introduction to statistics.

Kaspar Rufibach, Roche-internal course

2015/10: Introduction to statistics.

Kaspar Rufibach, Roche-internal course

2015/05: Introduction to statistics.

Kaspar Rufibach, Roche-internal course

2015/01: Introduction to statistics.

Kaspar Rufibach, Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) course, as part of the Master of Advanced Studies in Managed Health Care

2014/06-11: Four workshops on specific biostatistical topics in clinical trials.

Kaspar Rufibach, courses for medical doctors at four hospitals

2014/01-03: Introduction to statistics.

Kaspar Rufibach, Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) course, as part of the Master of Advanced Studies in Managed Health Care

2014: Estimation from Interval-censored Time-to-event Data: Method Comparison by Simulation based on GALLIUM Study for Follicular Lymphoma

Monika Hebeisen, thesis to obtain MSc in biostatistics, Department of Biostatistics, University of Zurich

2013/11: Group-sequential designs

Kaspar Rufibach, within MSc biostatistics program at University of Zurich

2013/06: Analysis of longitudinal data

Kaspar Rufibach, full-day course for Roche biostatisticians

2013: Analysis of time-to-event data with interval- or left-censored covariates

Stanislas Hubeaux, 6-month full-time internship within Department of Biostatistics, Roche Basel

2013/11: Workshop on survival analysis in oncology.

Kaspar Rufibach, Roche-internal course

2013/06-2014/04: Survival analysis in oncology.

Kaspar Rufibach, courses for medical doctors at seven hospitals

2013: What does a PSA bounce look like? A numerical and graphical description of the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) bounce phenomenon in patients treated for prostate cancer with brachytherapy only

Philipp Boutellier, master thesis to obtain MSc in medicine, University of Zurich

2012/11: Statistical Methods in Clinical Research

Kaspar Rufibach, within MSc biostatistics program at University of Zurich

2012/01-03: Introduction to statistics.

Kaspar Rufibach, Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) course, as part of the Master of Advanced Studies in Managed Health Care

2012: Inter- and Intrareader variability of Ratingen score in the Swiss Clinical Quality Management database

Dominik Loiero, master thesis to obtain MSc in medicine, University of Zurich

2011/09-11: Statistical Methods in Clinical Research

Kaspar Rufibach and Eva Furrer, within MSc biostatistics program at University of Zurich

2011/09: Statistics in oncology.

Kaspar Rufibach, cancer biology PhD program, University of Zurich

2011/04: How to write a scientific paper -- statistical aspects.

Kaspar Rufibach, course for medical students, Zurich University hospital

2011/01: Analysis of longitudinal data

Leonhard Held and Kaspar Rufibach, University of Mainz, Germany

2011/02: Introduction to biostatistics.

Kaspar Rufibach, continuing education for radiologists, Bern University Hospital

2011: Determinants of TNFa inhibitor prescription in the Swiss Clinical Quality Management cohort of axial Spondylarthropathy patients

Almut Scherer, Semester thesis, Department of Biostatistics, University of Zurich

2010/06: Analysis of longitudinal data

Leonhard Held and Kaspar Rufibach, MSc of Medical Biometry program, University of Heidelberg

2010/02-06: Analysis of longitudinal data

Leonhard Held and Kaspar Rufibach, within MSc biostatistics program at University of Zurich

2009/09-12: Biostatistical methods, Part II: Statistical methods for clinical trials

Kaspar Rufibach, within MSc biostatistics program at University of Zurich

2009/02-05: Likelihood inference

Leonhard Held and Kaspar Rufibach, within MSc biostatistics program at University of Zurich

2008: Netrin-1 and DCC Expression in brain tumors (in German)

Rita Achermann, Semester thesis, Department of Biostatistics, University of Zurich

2005/10-2006/02: Introduction to Statistics

Kaspar Rufibach, within MSc sport science program at University of Bern

2005/04-05: Introduction to R.

Kaspar Rufibach, continuing studies, University of Bern

2005: Visus under physical stress (in German)

Karin Lanz and Marco Weber, Swiss Technical School for Optometrics, Olten, Switzerland