Search

Big Pharma companies are famously known for being way behind the curve. Given the structure of these supersized companies, the strict regulations they must follow, and the intense scrutiny the [...]

There's something barbaric about cancer treatment. Doctors cut patients open, slice pieces away, burn people with radiation and pump them full of harsh chemicals. This modern healing ritual is the [...]

Increased federal scrutiny involving business meetings has many planners double-checking their facts. In the CME (continuing medical education) field, for example, a surprising new path--one that is more interactive and [...]

The article profiles Susan Desmond-Hellman, head of product development at Genentech. Desmond-Hellman is more optimistic than her fellow oncologists about how cancer care can improve for patients. She played a pivotal role in hastening that by bringing some of the most promising and innovative oncology drugs to market such as Rituxan, Herceptin, and Avastin. She planned to work in sports medicine, but her first visit to the cancer wards of the Veterans Administration Hospital changed her focus and decided to take internal medicine and then oncology instead.

The article profiles the three female leaders who received the 2014 Woman of the Year (WOTY) award from the Healthcare Businesswomen's Association (HBA). They are Patricia Maryland, healthcare operations president of the nonprofit organization Ascension Health, Shideh Sedgh Bina, co-founder of the boutique consulting firm Insigniam, and Merck Serono Biopharmaceutical executive vice president Annalisa Jenkins. Also presented is a table which lists the past WOTY winners from 1990-2013.

The article focuses on Bridgette Heller, president of Merck Consumer Care, who has been chosen as HBA's 2013 Woman of the Year. With her potential, despite being brought up in an African American community, Heller has become one of the first African American women of her generation to ascend to the upper levels of business. Heller attended Northwestern University and worked for Hewlett Packard in the Tampa office as a summer intern.

The article profiles Deborah Dunsire, chief executive officer (CEO) of Millennium Pharmaceuticals Inc. Dunsire graduated a degree in occupational therapy at the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa and became a general practitioner after her graduation. She is one of the few female biotechnology CEOs and was the recipient of the Healthcare Businesswoman's Association 2009 Woman of the Year Award.

The article profiles Eli Lilly & Co., global pharmaceutical company and one of the world's largest corporation. According to the article, the company launched nine new drugs under the management of Sidney Taurel, including the megabrands that account for a signficant share of ther company's annual sales mof more than $18 billion. However, Lilly still encounters problem behind its growth wherein its patent expiration profile starting 2011 is the worst in the entire pharmaceutical industry.

The article outlines several pharmaceutical companies that indicate the larger merger and acquisition trends. It includes the approval of the joint project by Onyx Corp. and Bayer AG, which is called Nexavar, designed for liver cancer treatment in China. In addition, Javelin Pharmaceuticals Inc. has developed an injectable version of diclofenac, a well known nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents that inhibits the body's ability to synthesize prostaglandins.

The article focuses on the preparation made by the members of the European Commission to conduct a cross-continental raid on the biggest pharmaceutical companies including GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer, and AstraZeneca. The raid is made to prove that the companies were engaged in price fixing and misusing patent rights. Moreover, cases dealt with the issue of whether state courts and juries had the power to resolve negligence claims for damages.

An interview with Barbara Yanni, vice president and chief licensing officer of Merck & Co. Inc., is presented. When asked about the company's licensing group, she asserts that it is composed of scientists who evaluate and assess the therapeutic area. She adds that scientific scouting organization is assigned in various locations to be familiar with the operations in the area. Yanni claims that Merck has increasing licensing deals for 2008.

The article profiles Charlotte Sibley, senior vice president (SVP) of Global Business Research and Intelligence at Shire Pharmaceuticals Inc. Sibley was born in Natick, Massachusetts and attended college in Middlebury school in Vermont where she majored in Romance languages and music. She has been in the vanguard of engaging pharma with its customers and is credited with turning the market research into a strategic function.

The article reports on the increasing rates of antimicrobial resistance globally. It is stated that the good predictor of infectious diseases is poverty. The increasing problem on antimicrobial resistance is associated with the misuse of antibiotics and massive overprescribing and misprescribing of antibiotics. It is suggested that the antimicrobial resistance could be prevented through effective and safe vaccine and less exposure to the selective pressure of antimicrobials.

An interview with professor Paul Herrling of Novartis Corp. is presented. When asked about the new techniques his team is using in treating neglected diseases, he reveals that they have the complete sequence of the genome of pathological organisms like tuberculosis (TB) and malaria. Herrling states that they are applying the most modern drug-discovery technology to find new drugs for diseases like TB and dengue. He also shares that most of the original antibiotics are natural compounds.

The article presents views of executives from the pharmaceutical industry and the world of finance on the need to balance products and cash. Chief business officer Adelene Perkins reveals whether the dependence of pharmaceutics and biotechnology on one another for drugs and capital is changing. Corporate vice chairman Clinton Gartin identifies competition as the most striking feature of alliances in the industry. Healthcare strategist Les Funtleyder illustrates how hedge funds affect deals.

The article focuses on the discussion of pharmaceutical executives regarding brand leadership. Bob Mason of Palio commented that the mass customization of drugs are like overall branding model. Vince Parry of Y Brand stated that the present pharmaceutical firms are conducting longer trials with broader patient populations to address the issue of drug safety. Jeff Conklin of Wyeth said that firms need more time in understanding how drugs fit into the patient's lives with respect to maintenance.

The article discusses how Fred Hassan, head of the drug manufacturer Schering-Plough Corp., displayed a strong sense of leadership in the midst of a troubled modern-day company. Hassan shares that his father being the first ambassador to India, he was able to learn about war, diplomacy and bridging cultures. He also said that trust from shareholders and staff is very important.

An interview with Mark McClellan, commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, is presented. McClellan states that the issue on drug safety is a reportable adverse event for the drug which calls for alternative approaches for more intensive regulation. He explains that the Engelberg Center for Health Care Reform got broad bipartisan support focusing drug safety. He emphasizes that the utilization of electronic data systems assures drug safety.

The article offers ideas from savvy investors, analysts, and venture capitalists on the trends that influence the deal market of the pharmaceutical industry in the U.S. It also identifies some companies to watch for future deals. According to the author, the market for deals has been robust through the first half of 2007. Among the companies to watch are those that belong to the pain pipeline and the Map Pharmaceuticals Inc.

The article focuses on the new commercialization strategy of pharmaceutical companies in the U.S. It was cited that companies with declining portfolios are seeking change and they are willing to try new approaches to the marketplace. One of the hallmarks of the specialty model is the facilitation of the payment approval, purchase, and delivery of therapies. Meanwhile, several companies have taken a holistic approach since many specialty products are more complex than a simple pill.

The article discusses the achievements of Meryl Zausner, chief financial officer (CFO) of Novartis Oncology company, where she has been a key player in advancing the company's ambitious cancer strategy in the U.S. Zausner has been elected the Healthcare Businesswomen's Association's 2007 Woman of the Year. In addition, she has provided a role model for how to succeed in the modern-day pharmaceutical industry.

The article discusses the research study conducted by GlaxoSmithKline scientist Ripley Ballou regarding malaria vaccine in Africa. Malaria is the leading killer of children in the country as well as pregnant women with low immune response. His subject for the study are his army research team who are making ways for pharmaceutical to get involve on their study. His lifelong search for vaccine embodies the wider fight against malaria.

The article presents an interview with Peter Rost, the author of the book "The Whistleblower: Confessions From a Healthcare Hitman." When asked about being a whistleblower of a pharmaceutical company, he refers to his qui tam suits against Pfizer Inc.'s illegal marketing practices surrounding human growth therapy Genotropin. He discusses how lawyers and public relation personnel of Pfizer prepared his termination.

The article presents an interview with Cindy D'Aoust, senior vice president of strategic meetings management for Maritz Travel Co. When asked about how the meetings market at present is thinking differently about its meetings and events, she notes that it is no longer about the venue of the meeting, but about asking what will the attendees get out of the meeting. She cites the difference between return on investment and effectiveness.

The article focuses on the life and work of Israel Makov, CEO of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., the largest generic-drug manufacturer the world has ever known. Makov attended an agricultural boarding school and started his career in citrus exports. He managed Abic, the second-largest pharmaceutical company in Israel. Likewise, he founded Interpharm, the country's first biotech company. INSETS: At-Risk Launches;Paragraph IV: An Ever-Present Challenge.

The article provides an overview on the development of two human papillomavirus vaccines (HPV), Merck's Gardasil and GlaxoSmithKline's (GSK) Ceravix. According to the article, HPV is the virus that causes cervical cancer. GSK head clinical developer Gary Dubin states that the company's Ceravix will change the way women's healthcare will be administered in many countries. The article also provides an analysis of the obstacles both companies face in ensuring the vaccines live up to their promise and potential.

The article presents an interview with John Alexander, president of the pharma development for Daiichi Sankyo, a company formed through the merger of Japanese pharmaceutical companies, Daiichi and Sankyo Pharma. He explains the reasons behind the merger which includes research and to remain competitive in the global marketplace, the integration activities after the merger and the model that executives follow for the integration. INSET: Growing Big Staying Small.

The article discusses efforts by the pharmaceutical industry to treat tuberculosis in the United States. The industry has developed means of partnering and has shifted its focus to drug discovery and early-stage research. Companies interested in creating treatment programs should examined alternative means of administering drugs. In addition, new company program must restore in-country health care services. INSETS: From AIDS to TB.;Corporate Conscience..

Focuses on the developments of Genentech Inc., a science research company, in South San Francisco, California. Devotion of Genentech in studying the science of recombinant DNA; Accomplishments of Genentech as a business; Marketing schemes employ by the company management. INSET: Robust Clinical Trials.

Discusses the controversies facing Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS), focusing on the leadership strategy of chief executive officer Peter Dolan. Shift in the strategy of BMS; Creation of a corporate culture; Streamlining of non-pharmaceutical businesses of the company; Investments in internal research and development; New products of BMS; Other challenges facing the company. INSETS: Peter Dolan, on DTC Advertising;Top-Down Leadership;Flashpoint Philanthropy;CEO Connection

The article presents a roundtable discussion on changes in ethics and expectations that are driving the way pharmaceutical industry interacts with medical publishers. The recent changes sweeping the editorial offices at journal publishers might be viewed as an extension of the trend to separate real scientific content from marketing information. In this context, it is noted that journal advertising still remains largely driven by product launches. Because of that, the products approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2005 will drive the success of some journals and the struggles of others.

The article reports on the Pharmaceutical Executive's Ad Stars, the people who created 2004's top advertisements and are pointing the way to the pharmaceutical industry's future. The best pharmaceutical advertising campaigns are creative, innovative, and focused on patient needs. Powerhouse Creative team Richard Rayment and John Timney are the engine behind the nearly decade-old Risperdal ad campaign. For their efforts at transforming patient case histories into empathetic and effective advertising, they've swept top honors at industry awards shows, such as the Rx Club, and have now started to gain notoriety even outside the pharma sphere. But greater than those awards is the trust they've won from Janssen, which allows them to keep the campaign on the cutting edge.

The article presents an interview with Eisal Pharmaceutical Co.'s president and COO Lonnel Coats and chairman and CEO Hajime Shimizu. Some of the questions were, what is been the toughest adjustment to being a CEO. How does the scrutiny affect the job. Is it difficult to address industry, as opposed to company, issues. What is it like to be a high ranking African-American in the pharma industry. What lessons did one learn from those early partnerships and what advice would be give to other executives. INSETS: IMPORTANT PARTNERSHIPS;HAJIME SHIMIZU HAS WORKED AT EISAI FOR ALMOST.

Presents the part two of the series report by Joanna Breitstein on the ways to address the AIDS crises in Africa. Ineffectuality of free AIDS drugs on public health and economic problem; Efficacy of the investment systems in Africa; Failure of the government to treat AIDS patients. INSETS: In It Together;Forecast the Future.

Focuses on the factors influencing the rise of mortality rate in Kampala, Uganda. Increase on the number of patients suffering from AIDS diseases; Efforts of various non-governmental organizations to provide medical assistance to the AIDS victims; Description on the physical condition of the patients. INSETS: Outside PEPFAR;3 questions for Helmut Leuchten;Pharma Rhetoric?.

The article reports that healthcare agencies and their clients look forward to the annual Rx Club Awards, now in its 18th year, hoping their work will win a spot among the year's most creative advertising. But the show serves another, perhaps more strategic, purpose: Winning work provides a barometer of the climate, trends, and tactics taking hold on Madison Avenue and in the pharma industry. The most notable difference between this year's show and those in previous years is the diversification of the palette on which creative and copy directors paint. That was primarily reflected in the increase of awards going to brand and disease websites. INSETS: The Thinking Behind the Poster;Self-Promotion.

Provides tips on how pharmaceutical companies can create successful meetings or medical education events. Allotment of enough time and resources in planning a meeting; Significance of the objectives of the meeting for measurement of success; Importance of site selection for structuring the agenda.

Focuses on the business decisions made by Matthew Emmens as CEO of Shire Pharmaceuticals Group. Relocation from Philadelphia to Wayne, Pennsylvania; Shire's revenues in 2003; Consolidation activities of Shire under Rolf Stahel as CEO; Founding history; Problems which arose as consequence of company growth; Vision of Emmens for the company; Focus of Shire on pragmatism and risk management under Emmens' leadership.

Discusses the increasing reliance of the pharmaceutical industry on direct-to-consumer advertising in the United States. Focus on return on investment; Struggle that integration poses to consumer marketers; Way to increase patients' persistence and compliance; Need for marketers to focus on getting inside conversations between patients and doctors.

Features the winning pharmaceutical advertisements at the Rx Club Awards in the U.S. Gold award won by Junction 11 Advertising for the campaign developed for ReQuip (ropinirole) from GlaxoSmithKline PLC; Approach of McCann Healthcare in launching a campaign in support of Solian (amisulpride) from Sanofi-Synthélabo SA; Incorporation of smiling faces in the advertisement created by McCann Healthcare for Adalat Oros (nifedipine) from Bayer AG.

Discusses efforts of the pharmaceutical industry to develop a market for treatment for metabolic syndrome in the United States. Relation among obesity, hyperlipidemia, diabetes and hypertension; Insulin resistance; Population at risk. INSET: What's in a Name?.

Focuses on the model for marketing pharmaceuticals to managed care in the U.S. Provision of information on the superiority of products by the pharmaceutical industry; Strategies for aligning the interests of patients, healthcare providers, and industry; Analysis of state management of pharmaceutical programs and benefits.

Features the pharmaceutical company Yamanouchi Pharma America in New Jersey. Establishment of an independent U.S. marketing and sales organization; Marketing strategies; Financial issues. INSETS: Parent Company;Heavy Competition.

Profiles GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare executive Catherine Angell Sohn. Career background and accomplishments; Views on pharmaceutical business development, strategic partnerships and marketing; Collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline's research and development team for product management and consumer communications. INSETS: To HBA, With Love;New Rx-to-OTC Environment;Role Model.

Focuses on the aspect of client-agency partnership for the development of strategic advertising. Creation of a brand positioning statement that taps into what the brand should mean for customers in terms of benefit perception; Factors that would identify brand positioning statement; Significance of the marketing objective. INSET: Building Partnerships.

Discusses the role of Drug Information Association (DIA) in providing training and other professional development services to healthcare executives around the world. DIA's membership growth; Profiles of DIA executives; Commitment of the executive committee. INSETS: From Past to Present;Keeping Execs In the Know.

Looks at pharmaceutical companies' promotional spending in 2001. Amount invested by pharmaceutical companies in promoting to physicians and consumers; Key events affecting the companies' spending; Pharmaceutical companies' use of detailing, meetings and events, and sampling to both introduce and augment product sales. INSET: CRM: IT or DTC?.

Presents updates on the U.S. pharmaceutical industry as of August 2002. Issue over the benefits of hormone replacement therapy; Usage of return on investment metrics to evaluate customer relationship management; Interview of Vince Parry, president of branding company Y.

Profiles the company Amersham Health. Beginnings of Amersham; Details of the company's business operations; Reason for the company's shift of approach from an imaging modality to disease-focused one. INSETS: Tomorrow's Solutions for Today's Problems;Questioning the Gold Standard;PET: Key to the Next Generation;Clinician Confidence

Profiles Ed Calesa, president and chief executive officer of the specialty pharmaceutical company Women First HealthCare. Career experiences; Basis of the company; Business strategies employed by Calesa; Reasons for targeting female consumers; Views on the specialty pharmaceutical business.