Life Science Leader magazine chief editor, Rob Wright, interviews Sandy Milligan, J.D., M.D., VP of regulatory affair for immunology, infectious disease and ophthalmology at Genentech. In addition to her career at Genentech, Dr. Milligan is a DIA volunteer, serving as the 2013 DIA annual meeting program chair. Dr. Milligan discusses her career path as a doctor/lawyer on her way to becoming a member of the pharmaceutical industry. In addition, she mentions her involvement with DIA, the three tracks she is looking forward to attending, and the increasing role the patient is playing at DIA via the patient fellowship program. Finally, Dr. Milligan shares some tips on what to expect as well as how to plan for the 49^th Annual DIA 2013 meeting taking place at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, June 23 – 27.

Bio International Conference Draws Co-Located Diversity, Inclusion & Life Sciences Symposium?

BIOtechNow’s Tracy Cooley, interviews Rob Wright, chief editor of Life Science Leader magazine, about the Diversity, Inclusion, & Life Sciences Symposium, presented by the Center for Healthcare Innovation. The event is taking place on Monday, April 22, in Chicago at the law offices of Seyfarth Shaw, 131 S. Dearborn St., Suite 2400. The Diversity Symposium is co-located to this year’s Bio International Convention, which is taking place in Chicago April 22 -25 at McCormick Place. Rob discusses how he became involved in the event, some of this year’s speakers which include Dr. Freda Lewis-Hall, SVP and chief medical officer for Pfizer, as well as the panel session he will be moderating entitled, What Does Diversity Mean in the 21^st Century.

Click here to view the podcast - http://www.bio.org/media/what-does-diversity-mean-21st-century

Insights from Martin Harvey-Allchurch of The European Medicines Agency

Martin Harvey-Allchurch, head of communications at the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and EU advisor to the DIA 2012 annual meeting program committee explains not only what he hopes to learn from attending sessions and walking the DIA exhibit floor, but provides insight into how global changes over the past 12 months have shaped this year’s annual meeting program. The meeting contains content geared toward preparing attendees so they are better able to tackle challenges with R&D and greater integration of the healthcare chain. According to Harvey-Allchurch, DIA provides a unique forum, bringing together regulators, academics, providers and advocacy groups to allow for an open dialogue so as to expedite drug development and life cycle management. Regulators from around the world will be in attendance, including FDA’s Dr. Margaret Hamburg and the EMA’s Dr. Guido Rasi. Also, Harvey-Allchurch encourages folks to check out the new “app” to help attendees better plan their schedule. For more information about DIA’s Annual Meeting, scheduled June 24 – 28 in Philadelphia, PA – USA, go to www.diahome.org.

Tips From PriceWaterhouseCoopers’ Jan Paul Zonnenberg
Jan Paul Zonnenberg, partner, healthcare practice, PriceWaterhouseCoppers (PwC) provides insights into current trends with regard to outsourcing in the pharmaceutical industry. Zonnenberg addresses issues around whether to outsource or retain competencies internal. In addition, he discusses potential costs, risks and the role emerging markets play and continue to develop. Further, Zonnenberg discusses how outsourcing is impacting the role of different technologies within the pharmaceutical industry. Finally, he provides three tips for U.S. pharma companies to outsource effectively. This should serve as a primer on his upcoming presentation, May 22, 2012, at the International Contract Services Expo & Conference (iCSE) to be held at the Philadelphia Convention Center. For more information go to www.icse-usa.com.

Larry Stambaugh, president and CEO of Cryoport – a life sciences global frozen logistics provider discusses with Life Science Leader magazine chief editor, Rob Wright, the new technical reports, number 52 and 53, released by the parenteral drug association (PDA) and how they will impact temperature sensitive shipping now and in the future.

Rob Wright, Chief Editor of Life Science Leader Magazine, interviews Larry Stambaugh, President and CEO of Cryoport, a life sciences global frozen logistics provider.
 

Rob Wright, Chief Editor of Life Science Leader Magazine, interviews Larry Stambaugh, President and CEO of Cryoport, a life sciences global frozen logistics provider. Stambaugh discusses regulatory challenges facing the cold chain shipping, sample degradation, improper storage, and transportation. The increased emphasis on regulating the cold chain is being driven by the trend of companies moving their clinical trials to emerging market countries. Stambaugh lists a variety of agencies involved in setting cold chain standards, including the FDA, FAA, USP, FCC, DOT, PDA, and IATA. Because of the wide variety of organizations and associations involved in setting cold chain shipping standards, it can be very difficult to stay abreast of regulatory changes.

Rob Wright, Chief Editor of Life Science Leader Magazine, interviews Duane Sword, Vice President of Thermo Fisher Scientific’s portable optical analysis business. Sword describes how portable handheld scanning devices are being utilized in the process of policing counterfeit ingredients and drugs.