Book excerpt: This contributed volume offers a much-needed overview of the statistical methods in early clinical drug and biomarker development. Chapters are written by expert statisticians with extensive experience in the pharmaceutical industry and regulatory agencies. Because of this, the data presented is often accompanied by real world case studies, which will help make examples more tangible for readers. The many applications of statistics in drug development are covered in detail, making this volume a must-have reference. Biomarker development and early clinical development are the two critical areas on which the book focuses. By having the two sections of the book dedicated to each of these topics, readers will have a more complete understanding of how applying statistical methods to early drug development can help identify the right drug for the right patient at the right dose. Also presented are exciting applications of machine learning and statistical modeling, along with innovative methods and state-of-the-art advances, making this a timely and practical resource. This volume is ideal for statisticians, researchers, and professionals interested in pharmaceutical research and development. Readers should be familiar with the fundamentals of statistics and clinical trials.