Winning the Battle of High Failure Rates in Drug Discovery

Professor Theo Meert, a speaker at the marcus evans Discovery Summit 2012, shares strategies for improving drug discovery efforts.  Interview with: Professor Theo Meert, Senior Director External Innovations NS, Janssen Research & Development, Johnson & Johnson

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The failure rate across the different stages of drug development have been increasing over the years, but there could be ways around it, says Professor Theo Meert, Senior Director External Innovations NS, Janssen Research & Development, Johnson & Johnson. A speaker at the marcus evans Discovery Summit 2012, which took place in Cannes, France, 22 – 23 March, Meert talked about drug discovery in Neuroscience (NS) and shared target validation and Proof of Concept (POC) testing strategies.

Why have some pharmaceutical companies trimmed down their discovery efforts?

One issue is the challenges of bringing forth novel Central Nervous System (CNS) medicines. The work required to get a compound approved has increased, especially since the environment demands increased efficacy/ differentiation against existing therapies, and this is what is needed to truly transform care for patients. It has become harder to validate novel drug targets related to disease modification, both in terms of pre-clinical and POC in the clinic itself. Generic drugs are also having an important impact, with many companies losing patents in the CNS area, reducing the amount of money that can be spent in research.  At Janssen, however, we continue to be fully committed to CNS research and continue to invest. Together with the complexities involved in understanding chronic brain disorders, discovery efforts are demanding and need a multidisciplinary approach, often involving various partners.

How can pharma companies win the battle of high failure rates?

Several processes are proving to be successful when it comes to target validation and POC. Scientists should ensure that targets are expressed/engaged in the human pathological conditions and strive to have a better understanding of the disease (progression) itself through systems biology. This would be a good starting point.

A good interaction with principal investigators within different expertises in areas of focused research and moving away from the classical ways of developing and testing drugs is what is often needed. Scientists can utilise different kind of biomarkers, various technologies to integrate different kind of biological data which can be collected, stratify patient populations, use translational experimental medicine approaches and use integrated databases of patient recordings.

At present, drug development costs around USD 2 billion and in some cases it can take up to 15 years. A more stratified experimental approach, using integrated approaches and targeting the relevant targets in sub-populations of patients could reduce the overall cost of development. The formation of international consortia with pre-competitive research would also help to reduce costs of target validation, biomarker development, human POC testing and should contribute to an increased scientific knowledge of disease chronification in various CNS disorders.

In drug discovery, what are some of the scientific areas or technologies worth following?

We are seeing more approaches starting from human tissue based approaches, diseased and not, such as genetics, the various forms of omics, IPS cells, and so on, which in the past were  easier to access in oncology than in the neurosciences. Also advances in the area of imaging, electronic recordings and (in vivo) electrophysiology are giving us a more in-depth understanding of neuronal connectivity and thus global functioning of the brain. All these technological evolutions, together with a better recording and use of patient databases (medical health care records) help to drive the science forward.

Why do you consider open collaboration in this field essential?

Although there is a natural competition between pharmaceutical companies for the compound/treatment itself, a lot of the science could be done in a pre-competitive space, through partnerships between companies and academia. Publishing negative results of clinical trials and using community funding in collaboration would also move science ahead. A more holistic approach both in drug development but also in treatment strategies will give us a better success in our challenge to treat some of humanities’ most devastating illnesses.

Contact: Sarin Kouyoumdjian-Gurunlian, Press Manager, marcus evans, Summits Division

Tel: + 357 22 849 313
Email: press@marcusevanscy.com

About the Discovery Summit 2012

This unique forum took place at the Majestic Barrière Hotel, Cannes, France, 22 – 23 March 2012. Offering much more than any conference, exhibition or trade show, this exclusive meeting brought together esteemed industry thought leaders and solution providers to a highly focused and interactive networking event. The Summit includes presentations on ensuring successful drug discovery, stimulating innovation and creating partnerships.

For more information please send an email to info@marcusevanscy.com or visit the event website at www.discovery-summit.com 

marcus evans group – life sciences / pharma sector portal

The Pharma Network – marcus evans Summits group delivers peer-to-peer information on strategic matters, professional trends and breakthrough innovations.

Please note that the Summit is a closed business event and the number of participants strictly limited.

About marcus evans Summits

marcus evans Summits are high level business forums for the world’s leading decision-makers to meet, learn and discuss strategies and solutions. Held at exclusive locations around the world, these events provide attendees with a unique opportunity to individually tailor their schedules of keynote presentations, think tanks, seminars and one-to-one business meetings. For more information, please visit www.marcusevans.com 

All rights reserved. The above content may be republished or reproduced. Kindly inform us by sending an email to press@marcusevanscy.com

Flexibility in Clinical Trials

Prof Dr Geerd Weyer of ICRC-Weyer, a sponsor company at the marcus evans Evolution Summit 2012, on why drug development requires flexibility in the trial design. Interview with: Prof Dr Geerd Weyer, Managing Director, ICRC-Weyer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Innovation in drug development requires flexibility in the clinical trial design, not merely standardisation, according to Prof Dr Geerd Weyer, Managing Director, ICRC-Weyer. Every trial is unique and must be designed and treated as such, he adds.

From a contract research organisation attending the upcoming marcus evans Evolution Summit 2012, Prof Dr Weyer talks about clinical trials and how adaptability can accelerate clinical development.

What would accelerate drug development and delivery/time to market?

In the last few years, many large pharmaceutical companies have been contracting out clinical development services to single, globally acting service providers. They tend to believe that the globalisation of drug development gives them strength and allows them to avoid friction in processes that they would have if they had multiple interfaces and vendors. They believe that this will help them save time and effort, but I consider this to be a one-sided view. Using the services of a niche or specialist provider could help them accelerate clinical development.

Would this limit innovation in any way?

When it comes to innovation, a service provider that can be flexible should be preferred. Smaller organisations are able to bring in study-specific solutions, while larger organisations can bring in productivity and efficiency as they are able to streamline and standardise services.

There is a dichotomy between efficiency and productivity on the one side, and innovation on the other. However, standardisation does not always work. Processes must be adapted to each study. Clinical development is a process where innovation and flexibility are needed, at least as much as standardisation. 

What is unique about your approach and philosophy?

We are well aware of the dichotomy I mentioned before, but our philosophy has always been one of cooperation and partnership with clients and other service providers; bringing together our own strengths as a flexible specialist with the strengths of other providers.

Our philosophy is also reflected in the way we integrate services across departments. Likewise, our data systems are optimised to seamlessly integrate data from various sources, internal or external.

What is key to clinical research and trial success?

The key is to have the right data in high quality when needed. This can be achieved by recognising the value that a specialist provider in that respective area can bring, and by not totally relying on standard solutions.

There is no single way for succeeding in clinical development. Every trial is unique and must be designed and treated as such.

Contact: Sarin Kouyoumdjian-Gurunlian, Press Manager, marcus evans, Summits Division

Tel: + 357 22 849 313
Email: press@marcusevanscy.com

About the Evolution Summit 2012

Offering much more than any conference, seminar or trade show, this exclusive meeting will bring together esteemed industry thought leaders and solution providers to a highly focused and interactive networking event.

For more information please send an email to info@marcusevanscy.com or visit the event website at www.evolution-summit.com

marcus evans group – life sciences /pharma sector portal

The Pharma Network – marcus evans Summits group delivers peer-to-peer information on strategic matters, professional trends and breakthrough innovations.

Please note that the Summit is a closed business event and the number of participants strictly limited.

About ICRC-Weyer

Located in Berlin, Germany, ICRC-Weyer is an all-Phase CRO with almost 20 years experience. The company provides its services for the pharmaceutical and nutrition industries. These center on specialist solutions for independent medical review, expert consulting and pharmacovigilance, which are integrated with the data management, statistical analysis and medical and regulatory writing packages being offered.

www.icrc-weyer.com

About marcus evans Summits

marcus evans Summits are high level business forums for the world’s leading decision-makers to meet, learn and discuss strategies and solutions. Held at exclusive locations around the world, these events provide attendees with a unique opportunity to individually tailor their schedules of keynote presentations, think tanks, seminars and one-to-one business meetings. For more information, please visit www.marcusevans.com

All rights reserved. The above content may be republished or reproduced. Kindly inform us by sending an email to press@marcusevanscy.com

Successful Pharmaceutical Marketing

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

“The newest promotional vehicles out there are not necessarily the best,” says Tom Lawrence, Chief Executive Officer, Meta Pharmaceutical Services LLC. Pharmaceutical marketers need to look at what has traditionally influenced physicians in their market, and realize that trend will continue, he adds.

From a solution provider company at the marcus evans PharmaMarketing Summit 2012 in Wheeling, Illinois, April 30 – May 2, Lawrence shares his insights into pharmaceutical marketing and what promotional methods have proven successful.

What is effective in getting the message across to physicians? What do pharmaceutical marketers overlook?

Many underestimate the impact of direct mail. There is a lot of buzz around web and email campaigns, but we have not yet seen the positive return on investment that direct mail is able to generate. Physicians and their office staff continue to be influenced by direct mail, as long as they are clinical in nature, targeted to their or their patients’ needs, and not overly promotional. The newest promotional vehicles out there are not necessarily the best. Marketers need to rely on the proven methods.

What are your thoughts on social media?

Social media and emails are the way of the future, but we must look at the wide-ranging population of physicians. At the moment, for every 100 emails that are sent, only three are opened mostly to unsubscribe. Physicians do not read emails to get information on pharmaceutical products. Social media channels are taking the world by storm but I expect the FDA to put severe restrictions on the use of social media in this space.

Meta has several products for supporting the field force. Would you say this is the most critical piece of the puzzle?

It is a critical component, as the number of sales representatives is decreasing. Those who are left have more products to handle in a more competitive environment, so they need strong direction on who to target for each brand. When they cannot get to all their targets, there needs to be non-personal promotion of the brand, which can be emails or targeted direct mail.

Your website says, “Take control of your brand”. Does this imply that pharmaceutical companies have lost control of their brands?

There are so many factors that affect a brand, one being the sheer volume of data and reports that are available to the brand marketer. They often have no direct control over their sales resources and lack internal resources to promote their brands. We fill in those voids by combining data into impactful information to help them decide what promotions and messaging are needed for each product. Marketers must be in control of their brands with a 360-degree view of their markets and have a range of vehicles they can utilize to capitalize on them.

Any final words of advice?

Without any blockbuster products in the pipeline, pharmaceutical companies have to spend more time maximizing the sales of their existing products, right until the last day that they have patent protection.

Contact: Sarin Kouyoumdjian-Gurunlian, Press Manager, marcus evans, Summits Division

Tel: + 357 22 849 313
Email: press@marcusevanscy.com

About the PharmaMarketing Summit 2012

This unique forum will take place at the Westin Chicago North Shore, Wheeling, Illinois, April 30 – May 2, 2012. Offering much more than any conference, exhibition or trade show, this exclusive meeting will bring together esteemed industry thought leaders and solution providers to a highly focused and interactive networking event. The Summit includes presentations on digital marketing, measuring marketing ROI, social media and accessing emerging markets.

For more information please send an email to info@marcusevanscy.com or visit the event website

marcus evans group – marketing/sales sector portal

The Marketing Network – marcus evans Summits group delivers peer-to-peer information on strategic matters, professional trends and breakthrough innovations.

Please note that the Summit is a closed business event and the number of participants strictly limited.

About Meta Pharmaceutical Services

Meta Pharmaceutical Services (MetaPharm) is on the leading edge of the dynamic pharmaceutical industry providing strategic data analyses combined with proven non-personal promotion. As sales forces shrink, the need to distribute impactful messaging among multiple channels is paramount. MetaPharm is the only industry partner who has over a decade of experience in mining your data for the most responsive HCPs, tying that to your local managed care position, working with your agencies on content development, flawlessly distributing the promotional campaigns via digital or direct mail, and finally providing a robust ROI analysis to determine the program’s effect on prescribing. 

MetaPharm – Information. Insight. Impact.

For more information: www.metapharm.com

About marcus evans Summits

marcus evans Summits are high level business forums for the world’s leading decision-makers to meet, learn and discuss strategies and solutions. Held at exclusive locations around the world, these events provide attendees with a unique opportunity to individually tailor their schedules of keynote presentations, think tanks, seminars and one-on-one business meetings. For more information, please visit www.marcusevans.com 

All rights reserved. The above content may be republished or reproduced. Kindly inform us by sending an email to press@marcusevanscy.com

Pricing Products for Success in the Pharmaceutical Industry

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Pharmaceutical companies are not maximizing their pricing power and opportunities, says Mick Kolassa, Chairman & Managing Partner, Medical Marketing Economics LLC. They often rely on market research that does not take into account the complexities of the various stakeholders in the industry; pharmaceutical products are not like other goods, at the former editor of Journal of Pharmaceutical Marketing and Management.

From a solution provider company at the upcoming marcus evans PharmaMarketing Summit 2012, in Wheeling, Illinois, April 30 – May 2, Kolassa discusses pricing strategies for pharmaceutical marketers.

Why is pricing an issue in the pharmaceutical industry?

The value of a pharmaceutical product is often not clearly established in the marketplace. When customers do not understand a product’s value and what use it has for them, they complain about the price. That does not necessarily mean that the price was too high, but that they did not understand the product’s true value. Lowering the price will not get more customers. If we can get customers to understand the value of our products, price won’t matter. 

The biggest mistake that marketers make today is asking customers how much they should charge for products.

Who has the purchasing power in this market?

Marketers believe that payers have all the power in this market, but that is also a mistake. Many organizations are aligning their resources towards payers, forgetting the significance of physicians. Payers want value for their money, but their goal is not to keep good products away from physicians and patients. They should not assume that payers control the market.

How can pharmaceutical companies identify the right price for a product?

The two most important questions we ask our clients are: What problem does your product solve that is not solved by other products and who owns that problem? Our method, ValueFraming, digs down to find the real value of a product and who it should be promoted to. For example, treating cancer is the physician’s problem and not the patient’s. The physician will make the medication decisions. Managing a patient’s post-surgical pain is the nurse’s job, but it will be the physician who will get interrupted constantly by the nurse if the patient is in pain.

In every case, it is important to identify the special problems that the product solves, so that it is communicated effectively to the relevant customers. This must be a customized approach, an organized process for getting to the core value issues.

Any final thoughts?

Pricing and reimbursement are very complex and dynamic, but there is a great body of knowledge that can be used to make more profitable pricing decisions. Price has more impact on a company’s bottom line than anything else, so pharmaceutical companies must treat it more seriously.

Contact: Sarin Kouyoumdjian-Gurunlian, Press Manager, marcus evans, Summits Division

Tel: + 357 22 849 313
Email: press@marcusevanscy.com

About the PharmaMarketing Summit 2012

This unique forum will take place at the Westin Chicago North Shore, Wheeling, Illinois, April 30 – May 2, 2012. Offering much more than any conference, exhibition or trade show, this exclusive meeting will bring together esteemed industry thought leaders and solution providers to a highly focused and interactive networking event. The Summit includes presentations on digital marketing, measuring marketing ROI, social media and accessing emerging markets.

For more information please send an email to info@marcusevanscy.com or visit the event website

marcus evans group – marketing/sales sector portal

The Marketing Network – marcus evans Summits group delivers peer-to-peer information on strategic matters, professional trends and breakthrough innovations.

Please note that the Summit is a closed business event and the number of participants strictly limited.

About Medical Marketing Economics

Medical Marketing Economics specializes in the development of value-based pricing and reimbursement strategies for biopharmaceuticals worldwide. Our work is driven by an unparalleled understanding of all the participants in the market, including payers, providers, governments and your competitors. Our motto is our promise: Learn From Our Experience, Profit from Our Thinking.

For more information: www.m2econ.com

About marcus evans Summits

marcus evans Summits are high level business forums for the world’s leading decision-makers to meet, learn and discuss strategies and solutions. Held at exclusive locations around the world, these events provide attendees with a unique opportunity to individually tailor their schedules of keynote presentations, think tanks, seminars and one-on-one business meetings. For more information, please visit www.marcusevans.com 

All rights reserved. The above content may be republished or reproduced. Kindly inform us by sending an email to press@marcusevanscy.com

Best Indicators of Clinical Development Success

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

In clinical development, speed is not always the best indicator or predictor of success; it can even be detrimental to the quality of a program, says Tom Macek, PharmD, PhD, Director, Clinical Sciences, Takeda Global Research and Development. “We must do our utmost to develop and plan programs as efficiently as possible and understand our drugs as early in the development process as we can,” he adds. 

A speaker at the marcus evans Evolution Summit 2012, in Wheeling, Illinois, April 30 – May 2, Macek discusses how to improve clinical results by better patient recruitment, retention and planning.

From your perspective, what would improve clinical development and how?

The unknowns of research are resulting in patient populations that are not meeting the adequate entry criteria for the study or are unknown to physicians. To improve clinical trials, we need a more standardized approach to site selection and patient recruitment, and we must use indicators of quality throughout the trial (particularly in areas such as psychiatry that may use more subjective methods of assessing efficacy).

What is your definition of a top performing site?

It is not always apparent what a top performing site is, as it may also be specific to the indication. It can be a site that recruits a large number of patients quickly or one that it is diligent in its measures of symptoms. A top performing site is most likely to be a marriage of the two: effective recruitment of quality patients and effective methods for measuring potential drug effects.

How can patient adherence to protocol guidelines be improved? What role can social media or new technologies play in this space?

For quality data, it is essential that patients adhere to protocol guidelines and be compliant in how they take their medication. Social media can be utilized to engage patients and ensure they follow instructions, but there are also a number of new technologies that monitor patient adherence, with electronic reminders for example. They may also incorporate sophisticated biomarkers, to better understand how drugs are working and in which sub-sets of patients. We must be on the cutting-edge of technology to understand how science can be utilized for efficient decision-making.

How can the return on investment (ROI) of clinical trials be maximized?

Maximizing ROI is about making truly effective decisions on compounds early, and having a well thought out development plan. As we search for new treatments for diseases, ROI is dependent on developing efficiencies, from utilizing patients early in Phase I and having a focused Phase II proof of concept and adequate dose ranging, so we understand drugs before Phase III studies.

Any final words of wisdom?

Speed and quality are not always predictive of success, and may in fact be mutually exclusive. Clinical development teams are often rushed to meet corporate goals, so they struggle to meet expectations. We must do our utmost to develop and plan programs as efficiently as possible and understand our drugs as early in the development process as we can.

Contact: Sarin Kouyoumdjian-Gurunlian, Press Manager, marcus evans, Summits Division

Tel: + 357 22 849 313
Email: press@marcusevanscy.com

About the Evolution Summit 2012

This unique forum will take place at the Westin Chicago North Shore, Wheeling, Illinois, April 30 – May 2, 2012. Offering much more than any conference, exhibition or trade show, this exclusive meeting will bring together esteemed industry thought leaders and solution providers to a highly focused and interactive networking event. The Summit includes presentations on the future of drug development, developing a culture of safety and maximizing return on investment.

For more information please send an email to info@marcusevanscy.com or visit the event website

marcus evans group – life sciences / pharma sector portal

The Pharma Network – marcus evans Summits group delivers peer-to-peer information on strategic matters, professional trends and breakthrough innovations.

Please note that the Summit is a closed business event and the number of participants strictly limited.

About marcus evans Summits

marcus evans Summits are high level business forums for the world’s leading decision-makers to meet, learn and discuss strategies and solutions. Held at exclusive locations around the world, these events provide attendees with a unique opportunity to individually tailor their schedules of keynote presentations, think tanks, seminars and one-on-one business meetings. For more information, please visit www.marcusevans.com 

All rights reserved. The above content may be republished or reproduced. Kindly inform us by sending an email to press@marcusevanscy.com

Overcoming Patient Recruitment Issues in Clinical Trials

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

“Pharmaceutical companies can have more success in drug development if they recruit enough of the right patients into their clinical trials,” says Dr. Jeffrey Litwin, Chief Executive Officer, ERT. More time must be spent on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, so that eligible patients are not unnecessarily excluded, he adds.

From a solution provider company at the upcoming marcus evans Evolution Summit 2012, in Wheeling, Illinois, April 30 – May 2, Litwin offers his expertise into improving patient recruitment, clinical trial success and innovation.

What could improve the success rate of clinical trials?

Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) have to make sure that protocols are well written, so that the inclusion and exclusion criteria do not eliminate a large number of patients who would otherwise be eligible. Criteria are often copied from another study and new exclusion criteria for that particular drug are added. Some of the exclusions that carry over from one drug to another are inappropriate. What often happens is a study starts and the CMO finds that many people were excluded for an inapplicable reason. Re-writing the protocol ends up being costly and time consuming.

What is missing in clinical development today?

Companies are not sharing their data. Many are working on similar compounds, when others have already found that they do not work. There are few publications of failed studies. Pharmaceutical companies consider this information as a competitive advantage, but the reality is that the industry is spending billions of dollars on drugs that have proven unsuccessful. Also, if a certain compound has failed, it does not mean that it would not succeed in a better designed study or in a different formulation. At least other scientists would have some data to work from. Large pharmaceutical companies would all benefit by sharing information on their failures as much as their successes.

What should they focus more of their time on?

Everyone is focused on drug efficacy and labeling. Of course drug approval is based on that data, but drug safety and pharmacovigilance are important to ensure that patients have adequate information on both the benefits and risks of medications. The centralized collection of data would contribute to better safety databases.

What could CMOs take advantage of today, to enhance or nurture innovation in this field?

They have to look at the big picture, how the drug or drug development program fits into what is currently available in the marketplace and how they can create a marketing or labeling differentiation. What innovation is the drug bringing to the marketplace?

Contact: Sarin Kouyoumdjian-Gurunlian, Press Manager, marcus evans, Summits Division

Tel: + 357 22 849 313
Email: press@marcusevanscy.com

About the Evolution Summit 2012

This unique forum will take place at the Westin Chicago North Shore, Wheeling, Illinois, April 30 – May 2, 2012. Offering much more than any conference, exhibition or trade show, this exclusive meeting will bring together esteemed industry thought leaders and solution providers to a highly focused and interactive networking event. The Summit includes presentations on the future of drug development, developing a culture of safety and maximizing return on investment.

For more information please send an email to info@marcusevanscy.com or visit the event website

marcus evans group – life sciences / pharma sector portal

The Pharma Network – marcus evans Summits group delivers peer-to-peer information on strategic matters, professional trends and breakthrough innovations.

Please note that the Summit is a closed business event and the number of participants strictly limited.

About ERT

ERT (www.ert.com) is a global technology-driven provider of health outcomes research services and customizable medical devices supporting biopharmaceutical sponsors and Contract Research Organizations (CROs) to achieve their drug development and healthcare objectives. ERT harnesses leading technology coupled with unrivaled processes and scientific expertise to collect, analyze, and report on clinical data to support the determination of health outcomes critical to the approval, labeling and reimbursement of pharmaceutical products. ERT is the acknowledged industry leader in centralized cardiac safety and respiratory efficacy services and also provides electronic Patient Reported Outcomes (ePRO) and Outcomes Assessments for multiple modalities across all phases.

For more information: www.ert.com

About marcus evans Summits

marcus evans Summits are high level business forums for the world’s leading decision-makers to meet, learn and discuss strategies and solutions. Held at exclusive locations around the world, these events provide attendees with a unique opportunity to individually tailor their schedules of keynote presentations, think tanks, seminars and one-on-one business meetings. For more information, please visit www.marcusevans.com 

All rights reserved. The above content may be republished or reproduced. Kindly inform us by sending an email to press@marcusevanscy.com

Empowering Pharmaceutical Company Representatives

Jay Stribling and Ed Becker of Pharmaceutical Operations Provider, a solution provider at the marcus evans PharmaMarketing Summit 2012, on how to empower sales representatives with the tools they need on the job. Interview with: Jay Stribling, President & Chief Executive Officer and Ed Becker, Partner, Pharmaceutical Operations Provider (POP)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Pharmaceutical companies must give their sales representatives the tools they need to succeed. This includes real-time transaction processing and physician validation at all times, say Jay Stribling, President & Chief Executive Officer and Ed Becker, Partner, Pharmaceutical Operations Provider (POP). A solution provider at the marcus evans PharmaMarketing Summit 2012 in Wheeling, Illinois, April 30 – May 2, POP has developed an intuitive application that gives sales representatives that ability on an iPad. Ahead of the event, Stribling and Becker give us an overview of iPoint and how its use can empower pharmaceutical marketing through the sales representative.

Why do you consider operational simplicity a challenge for pharmaceutical marketeers today?

Ed Becker: The challenge I see with anyone in business is to simplify your goals and the means to accomplish them. Operational Simplicity is our solution for pharmaceutical companies looking to connect the dots among their business objectives, sales team, and customers. The idea is to create simple goals that can be measured by all the players at any time. iPoint and the Hub allow you to do that.

How are iPads changing the face of pharmaceutical marketing? How could they be better utilized in the pharmaceutical industry?

Jay Stribling: The iPad provides the ideal interface for presenting and recording your marketing efforts.

The days of printed marketing materials are fading fast. The ability to display and deliver the message electronically in a dynamic way has huge potential. It’s much more than being highly cost-effective. It also about being able to record and track the rep’s presentation times and content presented, to achieve the most effective message.

At the end of the day, this is about increasing sales and improving the organization’s bottom line. Is sales representative empowerment what was missing?

Ed Becker: Sales reps need the ability to see the entire field that they will be managing on a given day. In order to succeed, they need to know where they stand and who their customers are. Everything they do must be tracked, managed and reported so the company can use the information effectively. We consolidate and simplify this process and report the key elements in what we call the feedback-loop dashboard that is visible to all the players.

How can the iPad impact brand loyalty?

Jay Stribling: While the iPad alone will not build and maintain relationships, it does provide some common ground for the reps to break the ice with their customers. It does help in terms of communicating a strong consistent message if utilized correctly; iPoint bridges the relationship gaps. It also helps new sales reps familiarize with the client and what other reps have communicated to them.

Contact: Sarin Kouyoumdjian-Gurunlian, Press Manager, marcus evans, Summits Division

Tel: + 357 22 849 313
Email: press@marcusevanscy.com

About the PharmaMarketing Summit 2012

This unique forum will take place at the Westin Chicago North Shore, Wheeling, Illinois, April 30 – May 2, 2012. Offering much more than any conference, exhibition or trade show, this exclusive meeting will bring together esteemed industry thought leaders and solution providers to a highly focused and interactive networking event. The Summit includes presentations on social media, healthcare reform and how to approach emerging markets.

For more information please send an email to info@marcusevanscy.com or visit the event website

marcus evans group – marketing/sales sector portal

The Marketing Network – marcus evans Summits group delivers peer-to-peer information on strategic matters, professional trends and breakthrough innovations.

Please note that the Summit is a closed business event and the number of participants strictly limited.

About Pharmaceutical Operations Provider

POP provides Operational Simplicity to pharmaceutical companies through iPoint Mobile for iPad and The Hub, a PDMA compliant Web-based SFA tool. The first truly cloud-based SaaS software product for the pharmaceutical industry, the Hub provides CRM, sample accountablility, expense and timesheet management, and integrated prescriber validation services.

For more information: www.getpop.net

About marcus evans Summits

marcus evans Summits are high level business forums for the world’s leading decision-makers to meet, learn and discuss strategies and solutions. Held at exclusive locations around the world, these events provide attendees with a unique opportunity to individually tailor their schedules of keynote presentations, think tanks, seminars and one-on-one business meetings. For more information, please visit www.marcusevans.com 

All rights reserved. The above content may be republished or reproduced. Kindly inform us by sending an email to press@marcusevanscy.com

A Common Quality Language for Better Biomedical Research Results

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The lack of a common language on the quality of non-regulated biomedical research is resulting in the poor reproducibility of findings, says Ulo Palm, Senior Vice President – Clinical Operations & Biometrics, Forest Research Institute. This is wasting valuable resources and hindering innovation, as the majority of the work is having to be repeated by different laboratories, he adds.

A speaker at the upcoming marcus evans Evolution Summit 2012, in Wheeling, Illinois, April 30 – May 2, Palm discusses how common standards for non-regulated biomedical research would create synergies that could lead to drug development breakthroughs.

From your perspective, why is there poor reproducibility of biomedical research findings?

There are no common quality standards or methods, therefore laboratories are producing different results that others are then unsuccessfully trying to validate. The majority of the efforts put into biomedical research are going into replicating work, instead of building on each other’s work and creating synergies. If you take into account that USD 100 billion a year is spent on mostly non-reproducible biomedical research, this has major implications from a productivity perspective.

Besides not spending our money efficiently, we seem to be unable to turn the promises of modern biology into new effective drugs for patients worldwide.

What should these standards include? How would compliance be monitored?

They must cover the process from the concept of an idea to the publishing of research results. This is about creating a common language in biomedical research.

These standards should be voluntary; we still have to continue to trust people. Scientists would state whether they followed the standards and over time, there would be methods developed to verify that they did. To start with, if labs were requested to provide a statement that they did follow the standards, it would go a long way.

Would such standards nurture or hinder innovation and creativity?

They would increase creativity significantly. There is a misconception of what creativity is. People often think that in order to be creative, there should not be any rules, but if you want to be productive with your creativity, you need to use tools in the way they were designed for.

For example, you cannot be a very creative musician without knowing how to play any instruments. Only when you know and follow the basic rules can your mind free up for creativity. You do not want to be creative in how you conduct your research, but in the concept of research. If the technical aspects of biomedical research were standardized, scientists would really be able to focus on the science.

We need a common quality language to create synergies in biomedical research that could lead to breakthroughs for patients who are desperately waiting for new research outcomes.

Contact: Sarin Kouyoumdjian-Gurunlian, Press Manager, marcus evans, Summits Division

Tel: + 357 22 849 313
Email: press@marcusevanscy.com

About the Evolution Summit 2012

This unique forum will take place at the Westin Chicago North Shore, Wheeling, Illinois, April 30 – May 2, 2012. Offering much more than any conference, exhibition or trade show, this exclusive meeting will bring together esteemed industry thought leaders and solution providers to a highly focused and interactive networking event. The Summit includes presentations on the future of drug development, developing a culture of safety and maximizing return on investment.

For more information please send an email to info@marcusevanscy.com or visit the event website

marcus evans group – life sciences / pharma sector portal

The Pharma Network – marcus evans Summits group delivers peer-to-peer information on strategic matters, professional trends and breakthrough innovations.

Please note that the Summit is a closed business event and the number of participants strictly limited.

About marcus evans Summits

marcus evans Summits are high level business forums for the world’s leading decision-makers to meet, learn and discuss strategies and solutions. Held at exclusive locations around the world, these events provide attendees with a unique opportunity to individually tailor their schedules of keynote presentations, think tanks, seminars and one-on-one business meetings. For more information, please visit www.marcusevans.com 

All rights reserved. The above content may be republished or reproduced. Kindly inform us by sending an email to press@marcusevanscy.com

Pharmaceutical Marketing Driven by Science

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

“Pharmaceutical marketeers need to find a balance between science and commercialization,” says Josh Schafer, Vice President, Global Oncology Strategy, Astellas Pharma. It is the innovative science that drives our business, so marketeers must have a fundamental understanding of the science and how it can be translated into commercial and patient value, he adds.

A speaker at the upcoming marcus evans PharmaMarketing Summit 2012 in Wheeling, Illinois, April 30 – May 2, Schafer talks about pharmaceutical marketing and why science should be driving marketing decisions. 

How is the pharmaceutical marketplace changing?

The industry is undergoing a transformation. The days of blockbuster drugs are behind us. Pharmaceutical companies need to find opportunities in smaller drug categories and patient segments. The ability to understand those and having a more intimate relationship with patients and other customers is the way of the future.

Would you say that the traditional methods for marketing pharmaceutical products are no longer effective?

They have worked up to this point, in a marketplace that was receptive to that. Now the marketplace and customer expectations are shifting, and the industry needs to shift with it. We need to be much more dynamic, flexible and creative in how we market in the future.

Marketing executives need to find a balance between science and commercialization. They must have a fundamental understanding of the science and how it can be translated into commercial and patient value. Science should be driving marketing decisions.

In the future, we need to ensure that innovative new products with clinical benefits reach patients. And as marketeers we need to do this in a way that goes beyond the traditional methods of promotional activity.

How is Astellas Pharma planning to reach its goal of becoming a global cancer treatment leader by 2015?

There are several elements to reaching our goal of becoming a Global Category Leader in Oncology. First, we are making sure that we are developing the right products to bring to the market and patients, and secondly we have built the infrastructure to bring new therapies to patients around the world.

Finally, it is important to have strong corporate support and commitment to the therapeutic area, as complex and dynamic areas require significant resources to be successful.

We have been able to put all of these pieces in place over the last three years and position ourselves as a category leader in oncology within that timeframe.

What is the best way of maintaining brand loyalty in this industry?

To maintain brand loyalty, pharmaceutical companies must demonstrate a commitment to patient care and ongoing innovation to bring new therapies that benefit patients. At the same time, companies have to understand the complexities of managing patients in a clinical practice and provide the support their customers need to better engage with patients.

Ultimately it is the commitment to innovation and advancing the science that helps drive loyalty.

Contact: Sarin Kouyoumdjian-Gurunlian, Press Manager, marcus evans, Summits Division

Tel: + 357 22 849 313
Email: press@marcusevanscy.com

About the PharmaMarketing Summit 2012

This unique forum will take place at the Westin Chicago North Shore, Wheeling, Illinois, April 30 – May 2, 2012. Offering much more than any conference, exhibition or trade show, this exclusive meeting will bring together esteemed industry thought leaders and solution providers to a highly focused and interactive networking event. The Summit includes presentations on social media, healthcare reform and how to approach emerging markets.

For more information please send an email to info@marcusevanscy.com or visit the event website

marcus evans group – marketing/sales sector portal

The Marketing Network – marcus evans Summits group delivers peer-to-peer information on strategic matters, professional trends and breakthrough innovations.

Please note that the Summit is a closed business event and the number of participants strictly limited.

About marcus evans Summits

marcus evans Summits are high level business forums for the world’s leading decision-makers to meet, learn and discuss strategies and solutions. Held at exclusive locations around the world, these events provide attendees with a unique opportunity to individually tailor their schedules of keynote presentations, think tanks, seminars and one-on-one business meetings. For more information, please visit www.marcusevans.com 

All rights reserved. The above content may be republished or reproduced. Kindly inform us by sending an email to press@marcusevanscy.com

Clinart MENA – Conducting Clinical Studies in the MENA Region for a Strategic Advantage

Dr Alaa Assem of Clinart MENA, a sponsor company at the marcus evans Evolution Summit 2012, on what clinical research capabilities and opportunities the MENA region offers.  Interview with: Dr Alaa Assem, Chief Executive Officer, Clinart MENA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Meeting patient recruitment and enrolment targets is the number one problem in clinical research globally, Dr Alaa Assem, Chief Executive Officer of Clinart MENA points out. To speed up drug development, pharmaceutical companies should consider what the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) can offer – access to large patient pools, as well as local and international expertise. Getting a head start in the MENA markets, with a population of over 300 million and counting, could also prove to be a strategic advantage.

From a contract research organisation (CRO) at the upcoming marcus evans Evolution Summit 2012 Dr Assem discusses the case for conducting clinical trials in the MENA region.

Why do you consider the MENA region as the next destination for clinical trials?

With the right awareness and education, we believe that the region can become the next destination for clinical trials in emerging markets, for pharmaceutical companies that want to accelerate drug development.

Meeting patient recruitment and enrolment targets is the number one problem in clinical research globally, which is slowing down drug development. MENA has a predominantly young population compared to an ageing population in the West. It is one of the fastest growing regions in the world, and expected to grow in double digits in the next few years. It stretches from Iran to North Africa, offering a wide range of patients and specific disease areas.

How could conducting clinical research in the region be a strategic advantage?

Certain diseases, such as diabetes and its associated disorders, are more prevalent here. Conducting research in the area would give a company access to its market and patient group, and expertise in the therapeutic field. Going to the Middle East is not simply about cost efficiency. It is about being the first to gain access to the target patient population.

It is also important to note that the expertise in the Middle East is quite sophisticated and up to the Western standard. Many of the physicians here have trained in major centres in Europe and the US, which translates to international as well as local expertise. This cannot be found in other parts of the world.

Why do Western companies tend not to consider the CRO capabilities the region offers?

There is a lack of awareness of what the region can offer. People see the region as one when in fact it is diverse, with many countries at different stages of development. News on the political situation here concerns many, but it often does not reflect reality.

The CRO industry in the region is relatively young. Does this work in your favour?

We believe it does, as it allows us to grow the industry and learn from other emerging markets that started before us. We have an advantage, because this region is young and evolving. There is a lot of room for us to grow and for others to come into the market. We are very optimistic.

Contact:
Sarin Kouyoumdjian-Gurunlian
Press Manager
marcus evans, Summits Division
Tel: + 357 22 849 313
Email: press@marcusevanscy.com

About the Evolution Summit 2012

Offering much more than any conference, seminar or trade show, this exclusive meeting will bring together esteemed industry thought leaders and solution providers to a highly focused and interactive networking event. The Summit includes presentations on achieving quality and compliance, integrating HEOR and the migration of clinical trials to emerging markets.

For more information please send an email to info@marcusevanscy.com or visit the event website at www.evolution-summit.com 

marcus evans group – life sciences /pharma sector portal

Complementing our Summit format, the Pharma Network – marcus evans Summits group delivers peer-to-peer information on strategic matters, professional trends and breakthrough innovations.

Please note that the Summit is a closed business event and the number of participants strictly limited.

About Clinart MENA

Clinart MENA is a full service contract research organization CRO headquartered in UAE, providing services across the MENA Region. Services provided are Clinical Operations, Project Management, Clinical Data Management, Medical Writing, Biostatistics, Training, Regulatory Services and Safety reporting. Clinart is ISO 9001:2008 certified and Oracle Gold Partner capable of providing validated and audited clinical research data management services (OC/RDC).

www.clinart.net

About marcus evans Summits

marcus evans Summits are high level business forums for the world’s leading decision-makers to meet, learn and discuss strategies and solutions. Held at exclusive locations around the world, these events provide attendees with a unique opportunity to individually tailor their schedules of keynote presentations, think tanks, seminars and one-to-one business meetings. For more information, please visit www.marcusevans.com

All rights reserved. The above content may be republished or reproduced – kindly inform us by sending an email to press@marcusevanscy.com