Articles
27-Aug-2010
The pharmaceutical industry, much of which dreams of having the marketing agility of a primitive vertebrate, has found a sales-promotion tool that sometimes works in the United States and New Zealand.
One of the most heated debates in the pharmaceutical industry is aping the struggles of a hundred million years ago. The typical titanosaur was about 30 metres long and weighed a lithe 80 tonnes. It was very single-minded (as it had to be because it needed over a tonne of food a day) so it did not pay much attention to anything non-edible. However, when it saw danger – or felt something take a chunk out of it – it swung into action; as it thrashed around in the mangrove swamps, not much of the surrounding vegetation survived but the predator was long gone: it took about five seconds for the…
One of the most heated debates in the pharmaceutical industry is aping the struggles of a hundred million years ago. The typical titanosaur was about 30 metres long and weighed a lithe 80 tonnes. It was very single-minded (as it had to be because it needed over a tonne of food a day) so it did not pay much attention to anything non-edible. However, when it saw danger – or felt something take a chunk out of it – it swung into action; as it thrashed around in the mangrove swamps, not much of the surrounding vegetation survived but the predator was long gone: it took about five seconds for the…
The pharmaceutical industry has a wide range of roles for medics, from clinical pharmacology where the clinical care of study subjects is your responsibility, to the position of medical adviser, which
The pharmaceutical industry has a wide range of roles for medics, from clinical pharmacology where the clinical care of study subjects is your responsibility, to the position of medical adviser, which for some companies means the involvement is almost entirely with marketing. Wherever you start your career, you will find that the interviewing procedure is very different to the procedure in the NHS. Although you are being interviewed because of your medical qualifications and experience, your other skills are generally a major focus of the process. Why Join? First be sure and clear about wh…
The pharmaceutical industry has a wide range of roles for medics, from clinical pharmacology where the clinical care of study subjects is your responsibility, to the position of medical adviser, which for some companies means the involvement is almost entirely with marketing. Wherever you start your career, you will find that the interviewing procedure is very different to the procedure in the NHS. Although you are being interviewed because of your medical qualifications and experience, your other skills are generally a major focus of the process. Why Join? First be sure and clear about wh…
Lung cancer is one of the most prevalent forms of cancer to afflict both men and women, accounting for nearly 15% of all cancer cases. The size of the lung cancer market - estimated at $1.6bn in 2002
Lung cancer is one of the most prevalent forms of cancer to afflict both men and women, accounting for nearly 15% of all cancer cases. The size of the lung cancer market - estimated at $1.6bn in 2002 - can help make or break a drug. Datamonitor examines the potential impact of Eli Lilly’s Affinitac on the current treatment leaders and the lung cancer market as a whole. In Strategic Perspectives: Lung Cancer Datamonitor considers the current drug regimens used in first- and second-line therapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC) in the seven major marke…
Lung cancer is one of the most prevalent forms of cancer to afflict both men and women, accounting for nearly 15% of all cancer cases. The size of the lung cancer market - estimated at $1.6bn in 2002 - can help make or break a drug. Datamonitor examines the potential impact of Eli Lilly’s Affinitac on the current treatment leaders and the lung cancer market as a whole. In Strategic Perspectives: Lung Cancer Datamonitor considers the current drug regimens used in first- and second-line therapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC) in the seven major marke…
27-Aug-2010
Drug development is an expensive and risk-intensive process. Even if a company manages to get its products to market, success is not guaranteed as there is the threat of competitors to contend with.
A Risk-intensive process A huge cost is involved in successfully getting a drug to market, now estimated at around US$800 million (1). In addition, the considerable failure rate makes the process highly risk-intensive. Only about 15 percent of new drugs entering development subsequently reach the market (2). Even if a company manages to get its products to market, success is not guaranteed as there is the threat of competitors to contend with. Companies are finding it increasingly more difficult to dominate the market before competition arrives. Over time there has been a shortened period be…
A Risk-intensive process A huge cost is involved in successfully getting a drug to market, now estimated at around US$800 million (1). In addition, the considerable failure rate makes the process highly risk-intensive. Only about 15 percent of new drugs entering development subsequently reach the market (2). Even if a company manages to get its products to market, success is not guaranteed as there is the threat of competitors to contend with. Companies are finding it increasingly more difficult to dominate the market before competition arrives. Over time there has been a shortened period be…
27-Aug-2010
In 2001, diabetes drugs represented six of the leading 100 pharmaceutical brands in terms of global sales, combining for $8.2 billion in sales. Sales were led by Bristol-Myers Squibb's Glucophage fran
In 2001, diabetes drugs represented six of the leading 100 pharmaceutical brands in terms of global sales, combining for $8.2 billion in sales. Sales were led by Bristol-Myers Squibb's Glucophage franchise and Novo Nordisk's Novolin insulins. But with patent expiries looming and new competition on the horizon the market looks set for change. Datamonitor's brief Current and Future Diabetes Blockbusters shows that the sales achieved by the leading drugs in this market underline the importance of diabetes brands to the overall market performance and positioning of major pharmaceutical compa…
In 2001, diabetes drugs represented six of the leading 100 pharmaceutical brands in terms of global sales, combining for $8.2 billion in sales. Sales were led by Bristol-Myers Squibb's Glucophage franchise and Novo Nordisk's Novolin insulins. But with patent expiries looming and new competition on the horizon the market looks set for change. Datamonitor's brief Current and Future Diabetes Blockbusters shows that the sales achieved by the leading drugs in this market underline the importance of diabetes brands to the overall market performance and positioning of major pharmaceutical compa…
27-Aug-2010
Is GSK a thrusting new pharma co or an ageing dinosaur? Pfast Forward went to the UK HQ to find out.
HAVING BEEN INVITED to the UK Pharma headquarters for GlaxoSmithKline, Pfast Forward thought it appropriate to gather the industry’s general perceptions about the new organisation. Taking the scientific approach of asking the opinion of friends and colleagues, two distinct camps formed. On one side I listened to views, which likened the new company to the thoughts a parent may have over their two-year-old child, namely a mixture of excitement, pride and with most of the teething problems over, rewarding. The alternative opinion painted the company as too large, dependent upon patent expiring crutches and only capable of paying lip service to modernising. To be honest I was in camp two but ke…
HAVING BEEN INVITED to the UK Pharma headquarters for GlaxoSmithKline, Pfast Forward thought it appropriate to gather the industry’s general perceptions about the new organisation. Taking the scientific approach of asking the opinion of friends and colleagues, two distinct camps formed. On one side I listened to views, which likened the new company to the thoughts a parent may have over their two-year-old child, namely a mixture of excitement, pride and with most of the teething problems over, rewarding. The alternative opinion painted the company as too large, dependent upon patent expiring crutches and only capable of paying lip service to modernising. To be honest I was in camp two but ke…
27-Aug-2010
Despite significant initial interest in angiogenesis inhibitors, they have failed to live up to expectations and are yet to be approved by the FDA for cancer treatment. However, there are a number of
Despite significant initial interest in angiogenesis inhibitors, they have failed to live up to expectations and are yet to be approved by the FDA for cancer treatment. However, there are a number of drugs in phase III clinical trials that should finally gain US approval. Iressa and Thalomid look set to demonstrate the potential of the angiogenesis inhibitor class and possibly reap the reward. As a result of the 1970s discovery that angiogenesis is implicated in tumor growth, anti-antigenic, designed to block the formation of new blood vessels thereby 'starving' the tumor's supply of oxygen…
Despite significant initial interest in angiogenesis inhibitors, they have failed to live up to expectations and are yet to be approved by the FDA for cancer treatment. However, there are a number of drugs in phase III clinical trials that should finally gain US approval. Iressa and Thalomid look set to demonstrate the potential of the angiogenesis inhibitor class and possibly reap the reward. As a result of the 1970s discovery that angiogenesis is implicated in tumor growth, anti-antigenic, designed to block the formation of new blood vessels thereby 'starving' the tumor's supply of oxygen…
27-Aug-2010
Lets have a look at the healthcare market and some of the things that are changing within it and then assess the impact of the changes on companies’ ability to achieve effective recruitment.
The world is changing. Recruitment in healthcare is moving into new, uncharted areas. Everyone will have to learn techniques to be able to recruit in the new labour market place. Just how true are these [recently] frequently heard remarks and will we all have to do new things and learn new techniques? Lets have a look at the healthcare market and some of the things that are changing within it and then assess the impact of the changes on companies’ ability to achieve effective recruitment. There is now doubt that the number of companies operating in the sector is going down as mergers/acquisitions c…
The world is changing. Recruitment in healthcare is moving into new, uncharted areas. Everyone will have to learn techniques to be able to recruit in the new labour market place. Just how true are these [recently] frequently heard remarks and will we all have to do new things and learn new techniques? Lets have a look at the healthcare market and some of the things that are changing within it and then assess the impact of the changes on companies’ ability to achieve effective recruitment. There is now doubt that the number of companies operating in the sector is going down as mergers/acquisitions c…
PiR Group has released the essential guide to Qualified Persons (QP) salary and benefits - The 2002 QP Salary Survey & Report. The data reveals that there is no longer a 'north/south divide' but more
PiR has today released its essential guide to Qualified Persons (QP) salaries and benefits – The QP Salary Survey and Report.This is a must-have reference work for employers including all HR professionals, recruitment consultants and industry commentators, as well as employees in the pharmaceutical sector. It is the eagerly-awaited sequel to the ground-breaking survey first carried out by PiR in 1999. The data reveals that there is no longer a ‘north/south divide’ but more of an ‘Eire and Northern Ireland inflation’, with large increases being offered in basic salary to Permanent Provision Q…
PiR has today released its essential guide to Qualified Persons (QP) salaries and benefits – The QP Salary Survey and Report.This is a must-have reference work for employers including all HR professionals, recruitment consultants and industry commentators, as well as employees in the pharmaceutical sector. It is the eagerly-awaited sequel to the ground-breaking survey first carried out by PiR in 1999. The data reveals that there is no longer a ‘north/south divide’ but more of an ‘Eire and Northern Ireland inflation’, with large increases being offered in basic salary to Permanent Provision Q…
Your relationship with recruitment agencies and consultants is of critical importance if you are to quickly secure employment. This article will help you to better understand the dynamics of this rela
Your relationship with recruitment agencies and consultants is of critical importance if you are to quickly secure employment. This article will help you to better understand the dynamics of this relationship and how to ensure that your job search activities are geared to your best advantage.Without doubt, the vast majority of individuals who successfully secure a sales career within the UK Pharmaceutical Industry, do so via a specialist recruitment agency. Such agencies act as recruitment consultants to both you - the candidate and to their 'client companies' i.e. your potential future employ…
Your relationship with recruitment agencies and consultants is of critical importance if you are to quickly secure employment. This article will help you to better understand the dynamics of this relationship and how to ensure that your job search activities are geared to your best advantage.Without doubt, the vast majority of individuals who successfully secure a sales career within the UK Pharmaceutical Industry, do so via a specialist recruitment agency. Such agencies act as recruitment consultants to both you - the candidate and to their 'client companies' i.e. your potential future employ…
27-Aug-2010
The pharmaceutical industry is one of the most highly R&D-intensive industries, more so than the electronics, communications, and aerospace industries. The industry faces a continuing challenge in emp
A high performance industry US pharmaceutical companies are the leading companies in the global pharmaceutical industry and this is expected to continue in the future 1. The ability to invest substantially in R&D is critical to a company’s future growth potential. With the advantage of having the lion’s share of the best-selling products, US companies are in a better position to spend more on R&D than their European and Japanese rivals. In 2001, the US pharmaceutical industry invested more than $30 billion in 2001 in discovering and developing new medicines 2. This high level of R&…
A high performance industry US pharmaceutical companies are the leading companies in the global pharmaceutical industry and this is expected to continue in the future 1. The ability to invest substantially in R&D is critical to a company’s future growth potential. With the advantage of having the lion’s share of the best-selling products, US companies are in a better position to spend more on R&D than their European and Japanese rivals. In 2001, the US pharmaceutical industry invested more than $30 billion in 2001 in discovering and developing new medicines 2. This high level of R&…
27-Aug-2010
You could spend days trawling through the situations vacant, ringing and writing to prospective employers “on spec” and buying numerous beers for your buddies in return for their “putting a good word
You’re getting itchy feet. It’s time to move your career onwards and hopefully upwards. But where to start? You could spend days trawling through the situations vacant, ringing and writing to prospective employers “on spec” and buying numerous beers for your buddies in return for their “putting a good word in” with their Manager or Company. But since a large percentage of vacant positions are never advertised, you could be missing that perfect job. HR departments are swamped with speculative applications and all too often it is difficult for them to retrieve your details at a later dat…
You’re getting itchy feet. It’s time to move your career onwards and hopefully upwards. But where to start? You could spend days trawling through the situations vacant, ringing and writing to prospective employers “on spec” and buying numerous beers for your buddies in return for their “putting a good word in” with their Manager or Company. But since a large percentage of vacant positions are never advertised, you could be missing that perfect job. HR departments are swamped with speculative applications and all too often it is difficult for them to retrieve your details at a later dat…
Mental disorders affect 44.3 million Americans in a given year. According to analysts the current global CNS therapeutics market is estimated at $40-55 billion, accounting for around 15% of the total
Mental disorders affect 44.3 million Americans in a given year. According to analysts the current global CNS therapeutics market is estimated at $40-55 billion, accounting for around 15% of the total global pharmaceuticals market. From a geographical perspective, the US accounts for about two-thirds of this revenue. Affective disorders (including depression) and anxiety are amongst the 10 leading causes of disability in the US and other developed countries, affecting 9.5% and 15% of the US population respectively. Antidepressants, which are also used for the treatment of anxiety, are largely l…
Mental disorders affect 44.3 million Americans in a given year. According to analysts the current global CNS therapeutics market is estimated at $40-55 billion, accounting for around 15% of the total global pharmaceuticals market. From a geographical perspective, the US accounts for about two-thirds of this revenue. Affective disorders (including depression) and anxiety are amongst the 10 leading causes of disability in the US and other developed countries, affecting 9.5% and 15% of the US population respectively. Antidepressants, which are also used for the treatment of anxiety, are largely l…
In March, 1998, Pfizer launched sildenafil (Viagra) for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. This move had an explosive effect on Pfizer's financial figures. More generally, this pharmaceutical mile
In March, 1998, Pfizer launched sildenafil (Viagra) for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. This move had an explosive effect on Pfizer's financial figures. More generally, this pharmaceutical milestone changed public awareness of erectile dysfunction and boosted basic research activity relating to improved understanding and treatment of this problem. Just over 4 years later LeadDiscovery has produced a state of the art analysis of sexual dysfunction. Despite the success of sildenafil, blockbuster opportunities still exist, both for improved treatment of erectile dysfunction using 2nd gener…
In March, 1998, Pfizer launched sildenafil (Viagra) for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. This move had an explosive effect on Pfizer's financial figures. More generally, this pharmaceutical milestone changed public awareness of erectile dysfunction and boosted basic research activity relating to improved understanding and treatment of this problem. Just over 4 years later LeadDiscovery has produced a state of the art analysis of sexual dysfunction. Despite the success of sildenafil, blockbuster opportunities still exist, both for improved treatment of erectile dysfunction using 2nd gener…
27-Aug-2010
The day of your interview for your dream job has finally dawned. You’ve researched the role and the organisation, prepared your examples of skill and competency and polished your shoes!
The day of your interview for your dream job has finally dawned. You’ve researched the role and the organisation, prepared your examples of skill and competency and polished your shoes! Now it’s here and should be feeling enthusiastic and raring to go! But are you….? 1. Combating Nerves If you are feeling nervous, remind yourself just why you think you are right for this job anyway. Do you have the knowledge to do the job? Do you have the skills to do the job? If the answer is yes, then there is no need to feel nervous. Before you set off, relax with a final cup of tea and run through in your mi…
The day of your interview for your dream job has finally dawned. You’ve researched the role and the organisation, prepared your examples of skill and competency and polished your shoes! Now it’s here and should be feeling enthusiastic and raring to go! But are you….? 1. Combating Nerves If you are feeling nervous, remind yourself just why you think you are right for this job anyway. Do you have the knowledge to do the job? Do you have the skills to do the job? If the answer is yes, then there is no need to feel nervous. Before you set off, relax with a final cup of tea and run through in your mi…
27-Aug-2010
Well, you’ve done it – you’ve been selected for the all-important interview for your dream job in the pharmaceutical industry! But does the thought of it fill you with adrenaline and a sense of chall
Well, you’ve done it – you’ve been selected for the all-important interview for your dream job in the pharmaceutical industry! But does the thought of it fill you with adrenaline and a sense of challenge or fear and a sense of nausea?! The key to successful interviewing is in the planning - read on to ensure successful interviews – every time!! 1. What exactly are you being interviewed for? The first step is to ensure that you fully research both the role and the organisation. Ask yourself the following questions: Do you fully understand the nature of the role you are being interviewe…
Well, you’ve done it – you’ve been selected for the all-important interview for your dream job in the pharmaceutical industry! But does the thought of it fill you with adrenaline and a sense of challenge or fear and a sense of nausea?! The key to successful interviewing is in the planning - read on to ensure successful interviews – every time!! 1. What exactly are you being interviewed for? The first step is to ensure that you fully research both the role and the organisation. Ask yourself the following questions: Do you fully understand the nature of the role you are being interviewe…
27-Aug-2010
Nurse teams are becoming ever more prominent in the sales and marketing plans of pharmaceutical companies. Nurses can offer pharmaceutical companies a unique opportunity to deliver multiple outcomes s
For almost a decade, Ventiv Health has been at the forefront of providing nurse teams to generate significant return on investment for clients and improve clinical outcomes for patients and the NHS. Whilst the use of Ventiv nurse teams has been shown to be highly effective in achieving these goals, PharmaTimes discovers that many companies are missing out on the opportunity to maximise sales. Nurse teams are becoming ever more prominent in the sales and marketing plans of pharmaceutical companies. Nurses can offer pharmaceutical companies a unique opportunity to deliver multiple outcomes such…
For almost a decade, Ventiv Health has been at the forefront of providing nurse teams to generate significant return on investment for clients and improve clinical outcomes for patients and the NHS. Whilst the use of Ventiv nurse teams has been shown to be highly effective in achieving these goals, PharmaTimes discovers that many companies are missing out on the opportunity to maximise sales. Nurse teams are becoming ever more prominent in the sales and marketing plans of pharmaceutical companies. Nurses can offer pharmaceutical companies a unique opportunity to deliver multiple outcomes such…
27-Aug-2010
Increasingly, companies are opting for a formalised, objective structure as a means to standardise the interview process. To a certain extent, this allows all candidates an equal opportunity to presen
Increasingly, companies are opting for a formalised, objective structure as a means to standardise the interview process. To a certain extent, this allows all candidates an equal opportunity to present their abilities and skills in line with the specific requirements of the position being sought. Competency based interviews focus on 'core-skills' i.e. those specific skills or behaviours that constitute success within a given role. Each competency will be assessed for a requisite amount of time (usually 20 minutes), with the interviewer asking a standard set of focused questions. The interview…
Increasingly, companies are opting for a formalised, objective structure as a means to standardise the interview process. To a certain extent, this allows all candidates an equal opportunity to present their abilities and skills in line with the specific requirements of the position being sought. Competency based interviews focus on 'core-skills' i.e. those specific skills or behaviours that constitute success within a given role. Each competency will be assessed for a requisite amount of time (usually 20 minutes), with the interviewer asking a standard set of focused questions. The interview…
Increasingly it seems that locational flexibility may be an essential point to mention on the CV for a career-minded corporate animal in the Life Sciences sector.
Clients taking part in a recent PiR survey on the European recruitment market were using words like “geographical flexibility”, “career mobility” and one even coined the phrase “Euromobile” to describe their ideal worker of the future. What does this mean then for professionals looking for new opportunities and for businesses searching for talent in Europe? Increasingly it seems that locational flexibility may be an essential point to mention on the CV for a career-minded corporate animal in the Life Sciences sector. There is no getting away from the fact that companies are looking for a new breed of worker who will move across…
Clients taking part in a recent PiR survey on the European recruitment market were using words like “geographical flexibility”, “career mobility” and one even coined the phrase “Euromobile” to describe their ideal worker of the future. What does this mean then for professionals looking for new opportunities and for businesses searching for talent in Europe? Increasingly it seems that locational flexibility may be an essential point to mention on the CV for a career-minded corporate animal in the Life Sciences sector. There is no getting away from the fact that companies are looking for a new breed of worker who will move across…
27-Aug-2010
Pfizer's acquisition of Pharmacia for nearly $60 billion in stock has created the largest pharmaceutical company in the world with annual revenues of $48 billion.
Pfizer's acquisition of Pharmacia for nearly $60 billion in stock has created the largest pharmaceutical company in the world with annual revenues of $48 billion. This acquisition comes at a time when the pharmaceuticals and biotech companies are under increased scrutiny and are facing unprecedented challenges. The general public is clamoring for reduced drug prices, and the general malaise affecting corporate America has sparked a closer watch from regulatory authorities. On the other hand, most major pharmaceutical companies have become saddled with declining research productivity, directly affecting their product pipeline. Wit…
Pfizer's acquisition of Pharmacia for nearly $60 billion in stock has created the largest pharmaceutical company in the world with annual revenues of $48 billion. This acquisition comes at a time when the pharmaceuticals and biotech companies are under increased scrutiny and are facing unprecedented challenges. The general public is clamoring for reduced drug prices, and the general malaise affecting corporate America has sparked a closer watch from regulatory authorities. On the other hand, most major pharmaceutical companies have become saddled with declining research productivity, directly affecting their product pipeline. Wit…
