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Externalization – a Collaborative Future for Life Sciences R&D

Nowadays, trying to cover the entire research and development (R&D) life cycle in-house makes little economic sense. Externalization is viewed as an effective way of dealing with the twin challenges of managing the immense amount of data generated by modern drug discovery techniques as well as having to find ways to mitigate costs.

Externalizing discovery screening processes has brought a raft of new players to the scene and is challenging old relationship patterns in R&D. We’ve witnessed a boom in the externalization of discovery research upstream of the preclinical and clinical areas, bringing pharmaceutical companies, CROs (Contract Research Organizations), other sector specialists and academia into closer and closer contact.

As these organizations look to collaborate, challenges abound on the road to making sure that externalization results in a win-win scenario for all stakeholders. Efficiency and trust underpin the success of collaboration. The reputational and IP risks inherent to sharing information mean that transparent and reliable infrastructure solutions are key to achieving a positive outcome.

On a more practical level, the data generated by different stakeholders needs to be easily shareable, easy to incorporate back into in-house-systems and its integrity and transparency must ensure it produces fully reproducible results. And if externalization isn’t properly executed, its benefits can be negated by extended decision cycle times. Again, choosing the right infrastructure solution represents the difference between success and failure.

If you’d like to learn more about how you can benefit from the advantages of externalized, collaborative ways of working while mitigating the downsides, join me and Justin Gazard of Pfizer Inc. for our webinar, ‘Externalize costs without breaking the data value chain’ on September 17, 2014.

Andy Vines, Product Manager, Screening Solutions, IDBS

Find out more and register

Andy Vines, Product Manager, Screening Solutions, IDBS

With an academic background in pharmacology and biochemistry, Andy VinesAndy Vines is currently the Product Manager responsible for IDBS’ screening solutions, including the ActivityBase Suite, ActivityMart and XLfit.

Before joining IDBS in 2008, Andy had already gained extensive user experience of ActivityBase, having used it in his previous R&D-centric roles at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). During an industry career spanning 20 years, Andy was instrumental in driving forward a number of research programs in oncology and cardiovascular therapeutic areas, primarily in research biology and screening functions covering target ID, hit ID, lead optimization and candidate selection.

His industry expertise and experience of discovery screening place him in an excellent position to advise R&D specialists on how IDBS can help them overcome the many challenges facing a fast-evolving scientific domain.

Andy will present IDBS’ webinar ‘Externalize costs without breaking the data value chain‘ on the 17th September at 10am New York/3pm London. You can register now to reserve your place.

1. What will the audience learn from attending the webinar?

Most R&D stakeholders are aware of the benefits of externalizing parts of the discovery screening process. What we aim to explore in this webinar is how to approach externalization successfully so that all stakeholders from big pharma to biotechs to academia and specialist service providers can benefit from this trend and also make it work in practice. We’ll be looking at different approaches to externalization, getting the infrastructure right and how to avoid some of the common pitfalls.

2. How did you get into the industry and what do you most enjoy about your role?

My early years in Africa exposed me to lots of interesting flora and fauna, and developed my passion for life sciences. I joined GSK (then Glaxo) during a period of rapid expansion and found myself in the lab doing oncology research at a time when Information Technology (IT) was starting to take hold. I quickly recognized the potential for informatics to revolutionize research workflows and became an enthusiastic early adopter. By the mid-90s, we’d evolved to using ActivityBase and I became a major driver of its adoption.

When the opportunity arose, it seemed only natural to make the move to IDBS. It was a chance to bring my experience of IT and research to a wider audience and make the most of the data generated in research and development (R&D) processes. I really enjoy what I do at IDBS. The variety of my role and the evolving challenges faced by scientists dealing with increasing volumes of data keep me motivated to continue to turn challenges into opportunities.

3. What has been the best moment in your career?

It’s hard to pick just one! I would say that one of the achievements I’m most proud of was transforming the way discovery screening was carried out at GSK. By embracing the possibilities opened up by ActivityBase technology, we were able to completely transform and automate processes, workflows and decision-making.

4. Who or what is your inspiration?

I’m inspired (and humbled) every time I look up at the night sky. Each star represents infinite possibility and it keeps me striving to achieve more.

5. What 1 item would you take with you to a desert island?

It may be a bit cheeky but I’d have to say a cruise ship! I prefer my desert islands to come without the downside of being marooned.

Remember to register for Andy’s upcoming webinar where you can ask him questions live on the webinar.

Andrew Mitchell, Director Life Sciences Strategy and Product Marketing, Intralinks

Andrew MitchellAndrew has many years of experience working in and with the Life Sciences industry, delivering innovative software solutions through his time with Covance, Relsys, Medidata and BioPharm Systems (Oracle Gold implementation partner). With a focus on Software as a Service, he has a strong belief in providing solutions that simplify and improve the user experience and the relevant subject matter expertise to ensure delivery of real benefits and enhanced compliance.

Andrew will present Intralinks’ webinar “Remote monitoring of Investigator Site Files (Regulatory Binders) and Source Documents” on the 18th September at 11am New York/4pm London. You can register now to reserve your place.

1. What inspired you to get into the industry?

My grandfather was the chief medical doctor in South Africa, my mother is a physiotherapist and my sister a surgeon, so to some extent it’s definitely in my blood. I’ve always been fascinated by technology and the business side to things, so it’s not a big surprise that I’m in this industry.

I previously worked extensively in Pharmacovigiliance (Drug Safety), assisting pharmaceutical companies move from paper to electronic reporting to the regulatory authorities and then for an EDC vendor to run clinical trials that simply would not have been possible using paper CRFs, so joining Intralinks to assist with moving study documents online (both at the sponsor and at the site) was a natural progression for my career.

2. What do you enjoy most about presenting to a live audience?

We’re all in this industry trying to make big changes in the world. Bringing new drugs to market faster and safer truly impacts peoples’ lives.

A live audience, whether at a conference or a small meeting, means I can truly engage with my peers, listen and learn from them.

3. Tell us about yourself; do you have any hobbies or ways to help you relax?              

I enjoy getting lost in a book and cooking, mountain biking and scuba diving with my wife. We also have two affectionate Persian/Bengal cats and playful chocolate Labrador – who keep us entertained for hours.

4. What’s your favourite flavour of ice-cream?

Coconut

5. Where is the one place in the world that you would like to visit and why?

Athuruga Island, Maldives – we had an amazing honeymoon there and would love to return as it’s a magical place – snorkelling with turtles, whale sharks and sheer island bliss.

Remember to register for Andrew’s upcoming webinar where you can ask him questions live on the webinar. 

Spotlight Interview: Rob Davies, MEng, MA (Hons) from Jee

 

Rob Davies is a Subsea Engineer with specific expertise in installation analysis. Rob has in-depth knowledge of installation analysis of subsea power cables, flexible risers, umbilicals and pipelines as a result of working on a wide range of projects, including three wind farm projects around the UKCS. 

1. Why did you decide to do a webinRob Daviesar with Business Review Webinars?
Jee is a leading multi-discipline engineering and training firm, delivering integrated subsea services to the oil, gas and renewables industry. We believe in contributing to the evolution of the industry and current best practice, and a webinar is an excellent way of sharing our 26 years’ of experience and knowledge.

2. What are you looking forward to explaining to the audience
During the webinar, we will provide attendees with an insight into installation analysis tools such as OrcaFlex, advise on some optimisation methods and common pitfalls, and provide an overview of the installation of subsea power cables, structures and flowlines. I am particularly looking forward to discussing the mind-set that should be adopted when approaching installation analysis.

3. What is the ideal outcome you would like from doing the webinar?
We would like to share our expertise and in-depth knowledge of installation analysis with our clients and colleagues in the industry, helping them to develop an understanding of the key points to consider and address during installation analysis.

4. What is the most interesting thing you’ve done within your current role?
The most interesting project I have been involved in was the installation analysis for four flexible risers and a control umbilical to a new FPSO, including the 1st and 2nd end connections, hook-up to subsea structures and abandonment and recovery plans. It was interesting because we were involved in the installation planning to such a large extent and had really good interaction with the offshore crew and discussed issues that were important for them.

5. What motivates you?
I am particularly motivated when tasked with developing an innovative solution to a difficult or unusual issue. A recent example was a riser re-use analysis which required careful consideration of the condition of the riser in a probabilistic manner. Jee’s reputation is built on our technical expertise and high standards, so we do receive a wide range of requests for solutions to unusual problems. It makes working at Jee interesting because the type of work can be so varied.

Rob Davies will be presenting the Jee webinar ‘Optimising Installation Analysis-A Pragmatic Approach’ on the 11th September.

If you would like to attend the webinar please register here.

The Core Tenets of High Performance Supply Chains

Puneet SaxenaA closer look at a Segmented Supply Chain Strategy 

BY PUNEET SAXENA, VP Manufacturing Solutions Strategy

 Leading manufacturing supply chains exhibit some common traits that result in superior performance.  We call these traits the core tenets of high performance supply chains: Customer-centricity, segmentation, business-agility, synchronisation and optimisation. 

Of the five core tenets of high performance supply chains, segmentation represents the most fundamental evolution in supply chain thinking. Manufacturing and distribution companies must cater to a wide range of customer needs as they serve increasingly diverse markets across dynamic global economies.

Understanding these needs and crafting attractive value propositions to serve them accordingly is becoming increasingly critical for profitable growth and business retention. Clearly, a one-size-fits-all supply chain strategy cannot adequately or profitably achieve this goal. Instead, companies must segment supply chain operations to balance cost to-serve with value to the business for each segment.

As an example, if you are a large consumer goods company with a significant portion of your revenue coming from Walmart, you likely have a team and a set of strategies dedicated to that account. The value of their business to you warrants this level of service. However, the cost-benefit ratio would not be positive if you applied this strategy to every mom-and-pop store that also buys your products. You probably have a different supply chain strategy for those customers.

Employing different strategies to serve different customers and channels based on their value to your business is what supply chain segmentation is all about. While the differences between supply chain segments may not always be as dramatic as the Walmart example, the principles and potential value are the same. That is why it is important to understand the ways companies are segmenting their supply chain strategies, how this segmentation impacts each supply chain process, and the role technology plays in enabling profitable segmentation.

Over the course of the webinar, we will look in more detail at segmented supply chain strategies and delve into the other core tenets, we will also provide examples from real companies and hear directly from a leading practitioner in the high tech industry at SanDisk Corporation who helped make these tenets a reality for his company, earning SanDisk Gartner’s Supply Chainnovator Award in 2014. Click here to register for the webinar.

Spotlight Interview: Jay Sperry, Graphics Commercialization Director

Jay SperryJay Sperry is the Director of Graphics Commercialization with Packaging Technology Integrated Solutions (PTIS), is a division of HAVI Global Solutions (HGS) – a privately held HAVI Group company. Sperry is responsible for strategy development, tactical implementation, business integration, and team development for the Graphic Services team. 

Sperry was instrumental in developing the current graphic management team through discovery and implementation of technology platforms, commercializing the proprietary ColorSentry print management solution, industry benchmarking, training, and staff management. Known as an innovator, sounding board, and realist, Sperry is skilled in taking complex technical knowledge and models and communicating those through interactive techniques and methods to diverse audiences of practitioners and business leaders.

So Jay, tell us about yourself.

My interest in graphics and printing really began in high school. I earned a degree in graphic arts and printing from Appalachian State University. After college, I accepted a job at a printing company where I worked with operators and print technicians, and ran a printing press. Gaining early hands-on experience and regular interaction with stakeholders helped me see the big picture—from creative intent to finished package— and launched my career in problem solving. I returned to school to complete a graduate program in graphic communications and, after working as a package print consultant and print industry trainer at Clemson University, I joined HAVI Global Solutions.

Are print standards for packaging meeting expectations? Are they better, more effective?

Print capabilities in the packaging space have improved substantially in the last three to five years as we have seen greater ability to provide highly decorative, advanced graphics on challenging packaging substrates. Expanded gamut printing (expanding the range of color beyond conventional four-color process printing) is a great example of a technological advance in the industry that is enabling printers to standardize their presses with a base set of components. The result is a less complex, more cost effective approach for printers and potential savings that can be shared with the brands. More importantly, the end product is higher quality.

Why does it take so long to approve artwork?

If all the decision makers and designers could be in the same room at the same time with the right materials and equipment for every project and every graphic, it wouldn’t take very long at all—but that’s not a realistic scenario. With packaging artwork there are several stages along the print supply chain and many cycles of approvals—including environmental, legal and nutritional approvals—depending on the project.

How can you, and your team, help shorten the approvals process or at least make it more efficient?

Understanding how the print system works and how creative will be transformed in the final packaging, knowing what to expect, planning accordingly and designing with the end in mind, will reduce costs and shorten the approvals process. We know the right questions to ask and anticipate challenges. We know different substrates and equipment capabilities and have workflows in place to manage all of these elements so brands aren’t making costly changes at the last minute that slow production. We also have a technology platform to manage approvals and enable real-time collaboration, as if everyone really were in the same room. Having real-time print reproduction data via our technology platform enables rapid decision-making and continuous improvement for managing expectations.

You can view Jay’s webinar ‘Managing Color in Complex Packaging Supply Chains‘ on demand by clicking here.

 

 

Spotlight Interview: Puneet Saxena, VP Manufacturing Solutions Strategy, JDA

Puneet SaxenaPuneet is responsible for JDA’s solution, sales and marketing strategy for asset-intensive manufacturing industries, including semiconductor, automotive, metals, energy, chemicals and oil.
 
1. Why did you decide to do a webinar with Business Review Webinars?

With the limited time that business people have today and the very relevant audience it was an easy decision to make!

2. What are you looking forward to explaining to the audience?

Leading manufacturing supply chains exhibit some common traits that result in superior performance.  We call these traits the core tenets of high performance supply chains: Customer-centricity, segmentation, business-agility, synchronisation and optimisation.  Over the course of this webinar, we will delve into these core tenets in adequate level of detail, provide examples from real companies and hear directly from a leading practitioner in the high tech industry at SanDisk Corporation who helped make these tenets a reality for his company, earning SanDisk Gartner’s Supply Chainnovator Award in 2014.

3. What is the ideal outcome you would like from doing the webinar?

Our desire is for supply chain practitioners to learn what it truly takes for supply chains to operate at a high level of performance, in all business conditions.  We hope that webinar participants will be able to learn from the experiences of other companies such as SanDisk Corporation that have traveled this path before them and then apply some of this learning to their own supply chain operations.

4. What is the most interesting thing you’ve done within your current role?

I have helped growing companies turn their supply chains into sustainable competitive advantage, watching some of them, such as SanDisk Corporation, grow fifteen-fold in annual revenues over a 10 year span.

5. What motivates you?

For more than two decades that I have worked in manufacturing and supply chain management, helping make a positive difference has been my biggest motivator.  Tremendous opportunities remain in supply chains for further improvement.

Puneet and his colleague Hans-Georg Kaltenbrunner,VP Industry Strategy, EMEA will be presenting their webinar ‘The Core Tenets of High Performance Supply Chains‘ on the 3rd September at 3pm London time. Register now.

 

August Quiz Question: Life Sciences

What percentage of Americans over the age of 65 take at least one prescription drug on a daily basis?

A. 25%

B. 45%

C. 75%

D. 85%

 

Submit your answer in the comments below for your chance to win a prize worth £25!

The entry period is from 6th August  2014 to 5th  September 2014.

All entries must be received by midnight on 5th  September 2014.

If you haven’t done so already, please register for our newsletter by clicking here

Click here for terms & conditions.

August Quiz Question: Energy

It is extremely likely that human activity caused how much of the observed increase in global average surface temperature from 1951 to 2010?

A. One quarter

B. More than half

C. Seventy-five percent

D. All

 

Submit your answer in the comments below for your chance to win a prize worth £25!

The entry period is from 6th August  2014 to 5th  September 2014.

All entries must be received by midnight on 5th  September 2014.

If you haven’t done so already, please register for our newsletter by clicking here

Click here for terms & conditions.