Industry news tidbits from around the world.
• In an attempt to stifle the spread of counterfeit drugs, Kenya has called upon intelligence units to catch counterfeiters through means similar to drug trafficking methods. Medical Services Minister Peter Anyang Nyongo said in a statement that his department plans to work with the National Security and Intelligence Services to improve surveillance methods and reduce the number of counterfeit drugs in Kenya, which, according to the country's National Quality Control Laboratories and the Pharmacy Poisons Board, make up about 30% of all drugs circulated throughout Kenya. Similarly, Rwanda is also looking at pharmacies across the country in an effort to determine the prevalence of counterfeit malaria drugs.
• A new World Trade Organization amendment may allow pharmaceutical companies to produce lower-cost generic antiretrovirals, malaria treatments, and other medicines for developing countries. Taiwan recently approved the first reading of the proposed amendment, which would facilitate the importation of cheaper, generic drugs to developing countries if they cannot manufacture the drugs themselves. Countries that have already approved the amendment are Australia, China, the European Union, Japan, South Korea, and the United States.
• Scientists in Germany and Russia are working in conjunction with researchers at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (Durban, South Africa) to create a database that could help shorten the diagnostic times of drug-resistant tuberculosis to a mere 48 hours.
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February 7th 2025In this episode, we meet with Micah Lieberman, Executive Conference Director for SCOPE Summit (Summit for Clinical Ops Executives) at Cambridge Innovation Institute. We will dive deep into the critical role of collaboration within the clinical research ecosystem. How do we bring together diverse stakeholders—sponsors, CROs, clinical trial tech innovators, suppliers, patients, sites, advocacy organizations, investors, and non-profits—to share best practices in trial design, program planning, innovation, and clinical operations? We’ll explore why it’s vital for thought leaders to step beyond their own organizations and learn from others, exchanging ideas that drive advancements in clinical research. Additionally, we’ll discuss the pivotal role of scientific conferences like SCOPE Summit in fostering these essential connections and collaborations, helping shape the future of clinical trials. Join us as we uncover how collective wisdom and cross-industry partnerships are transforming the landscape of clinical research.
Making the Grade: Registries as Sources of Regulatory-Grade Real-World Evidence (RWE)
February 13th 2025Dr. Peter Wahl, MLA, MS, ScD, VP and Global Head of Scientific Affairs at CorEvitas, part of the PPD™ clinical research business of Thermo Fisher Scientific, discusses the critical role of protocol-driven registries in generating regulatory grade RWE to serve multiple and evolving evidence needs across the drug development life cycle. He covers key considerations for selecting the right type of registry, the advantages over EMR datasets, and how registry data contextualizes safety and effectiveness to fulfill FDA and EMA post-marketing requirements.
Reaching Diverse Patient Populations With Personalized Treatment Methods
January 20th 2025Daejin Abidoye, head of solid tumors, oncology development, AbbVie, discusses a number of topics around diversity in clinical research including industry’s greatest challenges in reaching diverse patient populations, personalized treatment methods, recruitment strategies, and more.
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February 12th 2025In an interview with ACT senior editor Andy Studna at SCOPE Summit, Ashley Davidson, vice president, product lead - sponsor tech strategy, Advarra, highlights the need for more site-centric approaches in study startup.