Advanced Clinical Forms Scientific and Medical Affairs Division

We have just added a Scientific and Medical Affairs Division to our core client offerings. New divisional service offerings include Pharmacovigilance, Regulatory Affairs, Clinical Pharmacology/Translational Medicine, Medical Monitoring, and Quality Assurance. The Division will also encompass Advanced Clinical’s already established and proven Medical Writing, Biometric, Clinical Monitoring, and Project Management services.

Heading the Scientific and Medical Affairs Division is Dr. Christina Fleming, Advanced Clinical’s newly appointed Executive Vice President, Scientific and Medical Affairs. A highly respected leader in medical affairs and clinical services, Dr. Fleming will build, manage, and lead the Division’s full range of offerings.

“We are committed to providing our clients with a full range of specialized services and to ensuring that such services are delivered in conjunction with strong clinical insight and expertise,“ said Dr. Fleming. “Advanced Clinical’s new Scientific and Medical Affairs Division will optimize clinical trials and advance discoveries in clinical research, bringing seamless workflow integration to our clients.”

To learn more, visit http://www.advancedclinical.com.

Advanced Clinical to Exhibit at the Drug Information Association’s 47th Annual Conference

We will be attending and exhibiting at the upcoming Drug Information Association’s (DIA) Annual Conference from June 19 through June 23 at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago, IL. We intend to leverage our presence at DIA in an effort to share our approach for “advancing discoveries through insight.”

DIA’s annual conference is touted as “new vision, new mission, new annual meeting,” according to the event’s website, as it brings together industry professionals, clinicians, patient representatives, and regulatory agencies from all continents. The conference will facilitate knowledge exchange through 250 educational opportunities. It will also build upon DIA’s traditional breadth and depth of topics, and provide a forum for professionals involved in the discovery, development, and life cycle management of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and related products.

“Advanced Clinical is proud to exhibit at this year’s DIA conference,” said Leo Sheridan, Chief Executive Officer, Advanced Clinical. “With more than 8,000 attendees from 80 countries, this show is an important step in continuing to build awareness around the value Advanced Clinical can bring as a trusted partner for optimized CRO services and talent management. We look forward to demonstrating how our full range of capabilities can create measurable impact and value in clinical research results.”

“Advanced Clinical is headquartered in the Chicagoland area, so we are especially pleased to welcome the clinical world to our home town,” said Julie Heneghan, Vice President. “We look forward to the opportunity to connect with so much knowledge and so many leaders in our industry. We have several special events planned, including a private party at one of Chicago’s most exciting venues”.

The Drug Information Association: To access additional information about the annual DIA conference, visit: http://www.diahome.org/diahome/FlagshipMeetings/home.aspx?meetingid=2375….

New Executive Vice President of Scientific and Medical Affairs Joins Advanced Clinical

We welcome an addition to our leadership team: Dr. Christina Fleming, Ph.D. has been hired as Executive Vice President, Scientific and Medical Affairs, to lead Advanced Clinical in its expansion of service offerings.

Dr. Fleming is a highly respected leader in medical affairs and clinical services. As Executive Vice President of Scientific and Medical Affairs, Dr. Fleming is responsible for building, managing and leading a portion of Advanced Clinical’s service offerings, including medical writing, clinical monitoring, medical monitoring, safety operations, regulatory affairs, quality assurance, and biometrics, which are all in line with her previous industry experience.

Over her tenure in the industry, Dr. Fleming has successfully directed departments within Delta Pharma as Vice President of Outsourcing; Baxter Healthcare as Senior Director, Safety Writing and Acting Vice President, Medical Vigilance; TAP Pharmaceuticals as Associate Director of Medical Writing; and NeoPharm, Inc. as Director of Clinical and Medical Communications. In addition, Dr. Fleming has worked as a Clinical Scientist at both Pharmacia and SCIREX Corporation as well as a Lead Clinical Project Manager at Searle.

“We are honored and excited to welcome Christina’s caliber and experience to our leadership team,” said Leo Sheridan, CEO of Advanced Clinical. “Her unparalleled commitment to life sciences innovation, along with her insightful expertise and passion for scientific merit, is a critical asset to the industry and a perfect marriage for the goals of our company. Dr. Fleming’s new role promises an invigorating advancement to scientific and medical affairs in the pharmaceutical space.”

Christina earned her Ph.D. in Pharmacy from the University of Illinois at Chicago and her Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana. In addition, Dr. Fleming has contributed to more than 40 life sciences publications and presentations, including the American Society of Clinical Oncology, Outsourcing in Clinical Trials – East Coast, International Conference on Brain Tumor Research and Therapy, Annual Partnerships with CROs, and World Federation Society for Neuro-Oncology. Dr. Fleming is a 2010 recipient of PharmaVoice’s Top 100 Most Inspiring People in the Life Sciences Industry award and is a current member of the Drug Information Association (DIA), the American Medical Writer’s Association (AMWA), and the Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society (RAPS).

Awareness is Much Deserved for BioFlorida Event

I had the opportunity to speak at the 2011 BioFlorida Southeast Chapter Event in Miami. I was very impressed! From my humble perspective, the structure, speakers, networking and leadership endorsement were unparalleled.

There were nearly 100 great people who attended! The room had a mixture of life sciences professionals, Florida International University faculty and students as well as service providers.

A nice social hour opened the event where they served. Then, the evening was kicked off by some brilliant and very successful people in the industry: Michael Keller, Partner, McDermott, Will & Emery and BioFlorida Event Planning Committee Chair, and FIU Director of Research, Andrés G. Gil, PhD. Both were spectacular in their support of this meeting. Andrés Gil also mentioned the significant initiatives and investments being put into Research at FIU and goal to grow capabilities.

Next, a series of 15-20 minute speeches occurred on the topic of optimizing pre-clinical. The first speaker provided a case study on analyzing oncology research in pre-clinical and in-vitro. There also were two other amazing speakers from Aptuit as well as Reid Patterson Consulting. Reid Patterson did a brilliant job of outlining the risks and considerations one must address, as it related to the medical and scientific concerns in selecting the right product. Next, Aptuit provided a fantastic presentation as it related to targeting the right chemical space and, from a medical/scientific standpoint, what is important at this stage.

Advanced Clinical had the fortunate opportunity to present “How to Pick the Right Products/Solutions to Drive Profitable Growth,” which focused on the Discovery phase – soup to nuts. I outlined the methodology and several client case studies.

Something BIG is happening in Florida….we all should make sure we are proactively involved.

New 2011 Webinar Series to Educate, Enhance and Empower Life Sciences Professionals

We have just launched our 2011 webinar series to educate, enhance and empower life sciences professionals. Webinar topics range from how to position for optimal capital raising, successfully commercializing products, picking the right growth targets, optimizing clinical trials, heightening R&D productivity, advancing in a shifting job market, creating a workforce strategy, and more.

Each of the webinars addresses how to respond to different critical issues in life sciences to become more efficient and effective. Attendees will range from clinical research professionals to broad leadership executives.

The first of the 13 webinars in the series, titled “Dynamics in the Life Science Industry: The Tsunami in Full Swing,” begins on March 10. This webinar will examine the state of the industry, the implications for changes as well as methodologies and leading practices to improvement.

“Many in life sciences understand the challenges that continue to plague our industry, as well as those that lie ahead,” said Advanced Clinical Executive Vice President Rosemarie Truman, a 19-year strategy veteran and chief presenter of the series. “From the economic crisis, globalization, new business models, the transition to personalized medicine and Health Care Reform, life sciences professionals have experienced massive disturbances, further strained by numerous quick fixes. This series will offer information and solutions to show life sciences professionals how to effectively respond to these challenges to achieve sustainability.”

Online registration is now open. Webinars are offered to participants at no cost, with the exception of one for which contact hours may be earned. Interested attendees can register online at advancedclinical.com/webinars.

Achieving Breakthrough Innovation in Biotechnology through R&D Productivity

With Advanced Clinical’s Executive Vice President, Rosemarie Truman, attending the 2010 Mid-Atlantic Biotech Conference, we would like to provide you with our ideas on achieving breakthrough in biotechnology through R&D Productivity. The following abstract will be presented at the Conference today, and we are giving you an sneak peek online in case you can’t make it to the conference!

With recent announcements of significant budget cuts in the R&D workforce and spending, it is clear the R&D model has changed for biotech companies and an innovative turnaround in R&D is needed. Advanced Clinical’s poster presentation will demonstrate a codified framework for biotechnology companies to achieve true R&D productivity.

Through a strong framework and approach, biotech companies can ensure their product has market adoption and is differentiated; they can ensure operational efficiency in the clinical trial and they can make sure the medical/scientific focus is correct.

The comprehensive framework will assess the “what,” the “how” and the “why” of R&D productivity.

1. What is needed for effective R&D productivity? First, the right medical / scientific focus is required. This includes, but is not limited to:
Protocol
Target label claims
Doses and routes
Enrollment and drop-out rates
Heterogeneity of the population
Precision endpoints

2. How can R&D productivity be achieved? Clinical trial operational execution factors to assess include, but are not limited to:
Clinical operations, enrollment, investigators and sites
Regulatory management
Data management
Biostatistics
Drug supply
Labs
Medical writing
Medical safety and monitoring

3. Why should the drug reach the market? Will it have adoption? Market viability and comparative effectiveness are critical to a drug’s success.

By providing a framework for biotech companies to ensure their product is successful, they gain a higher probability of success in getting much needed products to market.

Advanced Clinical to Present an R&D Productivity Poster at the 2010 Mid-Atlantic Biotech Conference

Join our Facebook page and watch for an update and pictures following the conference! www.facebook.com/advclinical

Advanced Clinical, a leading provider of clinical research services, announced today that Executive Vice President Rosemarie Truman will present a poster on R&D productivity at the 2010 Mid-Atlantic Biotech Conference on Friday, October 29, 2010. Ms. Truman will provide an overview of Advanced Clinical’s R&D framework and approach, which biotech companies can use to ensure their product has market adoption, is differentiated, has operational efficiency in a clinical trial, and has the correct medical/scientific focus.

“We look forward to presenting our R&D productivity framework for the biotechnology sector,” said Rosemarie Truman. “The framework we will discuss is proven to create step-change R&D improvement by improving probability of success as well as reducing cycle time and costs.”

About Advanced Clinical: Advanced Clinical provides consulting services, strategic sourcing (CRO), talent management, and technology solutions to the Life Sciences industry. With 15+ years of experience, Advanced Clinical is an established presence in the clinical research field, providing services specifically for Pharmaceutical, Biopharmaceutical, Biotechnology and Medical Device organizations. Advanced utilizes a value-based, “One Team” approach. To learn more, visit http://www.advancedclinical.com.

Contact:
Rosemarie Truman
rtruman(at)advancedclinical(dot)com
1200 Lakeside Drive
Bannockburn, IL 60015
Ph: 202-438-2208

Working Her Dream Job: Insight from a Clinical Development Expert

Patricia Walicke MD, PhD, a core member of Advanced Clinical’s strategic advisory ecosystem, describes her experience in achieving her dream career: “I’ve followed a desire to try to make the world a better place and serve humanity through improving health and health care.”

As a strategic advisor, Dr. Walicke brings years of leadership strategy experience across several areas of clinical research, including protocol design and clinical plan development across multiple phases. Additionally, she has experience in regulatory submissions and interactions as well as medical monitoring and safety. Her expertise combined with her current work as an independent consultant for clinical development programs contributes to Advanced Clinical’s Industry Leading R&D Performance (ILRDP) framework that seeks to make the “business of R&D” more effective and efficient for Life Sciences companies.

“The team at Advanced is very bright, dedicated and determined, and, by working together, we have the opportunity to share how to operate more efficiently and effectively in the industry,” said Patricia Walicke, Advanced Clinical Strategic Advisor.

Formerly a practicing neurologist, Dr. Walicke changed careers to drug development approximately 15 years ago. She has experience with biologics and small molecules, and has worked on indications in neurology, autoimmune rheumatologic disorders, dermatology, ophthalmology and oncology. She explains that creativity, balanced by practicality, is the key to drug development: “When evaluating a potential therapeutic, first it is important to think broadly of all the possible ways that it might be used in medicine. Then the range of indications needs to be narrowed down to what is feasible. Matching the mechanism of action of the compound to the pathophysiology of the disease is also an important determinant.”

Notably, Dr. Walicke led the Phase 3 team for approval of efalizumab (Raptiva) for psoriasis; helped design extension of rituximab to non-oncology indications, particularly multiple sclerosis; obtained the first clinical proof of concept for anti-NGF in analgesia; and has been awarded several drug patents. “Drug development was a way for me to help more people more efficiently. You can potentially help hundreds of thousands of people,” said Dr. Walicke.

In addition, Dr. Walicke took a leadership role in establishing clinical groups in two start-up companies and restructuring the clinical department for biopharmaceutical company Oxigene with relocation from the East Coast to the West Coast.

Of compiling clinical teams, Dr. Walicke says, “While it is important for the team to be knowledgeable, it is perhaps most important that the team members communicate effectively and stay focused on the overall goal.”

Dr. Walicke offers advice to others in the clinical field, based on attributes to which she credits her own success: “Represent the needs and interests of patients and clinicians within industry, follow the science, keep timelines and deliverables, and pay attention along the way.”

Find your dream job at www.advancedclinical.com

Advanced Clinical Announces Bernice Welles as a Core Member of its Strategic Advisory Ecosystem

Advanced Clinical, a leading provider of clinical research services, announces Bernice Welles as a core member of its strategic advisory ecosystem.

Bannockburn, Ill. (Vocus) September 30, 2010

Advanced Clinical, a leading provider of clinical research services, announces Bernice Welles as a core member of its strategic advisory ecosystem.

As a strategic advisor, Bernice Welles has contributed to Advanced Clinical’s Industry Leading R&D Performance (ILRDP) framework that seeks to make the “business of R&D” more effective and efficient for Life Sciences companies. Bernice has been a key driver in the development and regulatory approval of drugs, biologics, devices as well as combination therapies across multiple therapeutic areas. “Moving a drug and/or biologic from development to approval is, possibly, the hardest earned process in the Life Sciences industry,” says Bernice Welles, Advanced Clinical Strategic Advisor.

Welles’ accomplishments span several leadership roles in companies at different stages of growth. At Genentech, Welles was appointed to several management positions to drive the drug and biologics development portfolio across multiple therapeutic areas. Two of Welles positions included: Senior Director of the Specialty Therapeutics Unit and Vice President of Product Development. One important program that Welles progressed was the Lucentis injection for wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD is a disease of the eye that is the leading cause of blindness in older Americans and causes loss of the ability to see straight ahead and may make it more difficult to read, drive, or perform other daily activities. By moving forward this program, several thousand patients were able to be treated.

Welles held a Venture Partner position at MPM Capital LLP, where she participated in discussions on medical devices and helped assess device instruments. At MPM, Welles also took the lead on several investments and helped portfolio companies such as CoTherix maneuver the regulatory process leading to an early approval for Ventavis®, a new therapy for pulmonary hypertension.

Welles currently holds executive positions as CEO of Alquest Therapeutics Inc. and Vice President, Clinical and Regulatory, of Enject Inc., both innovative biotechnology startup companies.

With years of experience heading teams across functional areas, Welles credits integration as being one of the keys to her success. Using her capability to integrate the knowledge she has gained during her career, Welles is able to pull together all of the elements of clinical and regulatory as well as leverage the science behind development programs to create a significant, positive impact on the Life Sciences industry.

“I am proud to be working with Advanced Clinical,” said Bernice Welles. “Being part of this expert strategic advisory team allows me to continue to work with a topflight team to create new levels of R&D Productivity for companies in Life Sciences and bring much needed treatments to the market for those who need them.”

About Advanced Clinical: Advanced Clinical provides consulting services, strategic sourcing (CRO), talent management, and technology solutions to the Life Sciences industry. With 15+ years of experience, Advanced Clinical is an established presence in the clinical research field, providing services specifically for Pharmaceutical, Biopharmaceutical, Biotechnology and Medical Device organizations. Advanced utilizes a value-based, “One Team” approach. To learn more, visit http://www.advancedclinical.com.

Contact: 
Rosemarie Truman 
rtruman@advancedclinical.com 
1200 Lakeside Drive 
Bannockburn, IL 60015 
Ph: 202-438-2208

Advanced Clinical is Making a Difference in Talent Management

We are pleased to provide vital talent for companies, and meaningful career opportunities for clinical research professionals.

We offer talent management services through contract staffing, direct hire placement, executive search, and payrolling (“asset transfer”). These different talent acquisition paths allow Advanced Clinical to effectively and efficiently connect talent to career opportunities within the clinical research industry. Our ability to provide and manage talent directly impacts their clients’ R&D success. For candidates, we offer a “career platform,” giving them not only employment, but also the chance to:

•    Make a difference
•    Become a star
•    Provide insight
•    Be part of an exceptional, topflight team
•    Pursue their dreams
•    Grow personally and professionally

Some of our consultants’ experiences are described below:

Tim, whom we placed as a Clinical Project Manager, said, “[Advanced Clinical is] very much focused on building relationships, finding out where my interests lie, and where my needs are.”

Buddy, whom we placed into Clinical Data Management, said, “I’ve been very pleased to work with Advanced Clinical because I feel that they are very well connected and understand the industry. Advanced Clinical has helped me not just find the next gig, but they have helped build my career.”

See live examples of our refreshing approach to talent management and career placement: http://www.youtube.com/user/advancedclinicaljobs#p/u/7/WCM-KdbGmE4

Advanced Clinical believes that creating positive experiences for candidates is cornerstone to building a vibrant, loyal workforce. Successful talent management positively impacts clinical research companies through lower overhead, more productive teams, and stronger retention of critically needed talent.

To learn more, visit http://www.advancedclinical.com