Onsite at Clinical Trial Supply Europe 2017

This week the clinical trial supply industry gathered to discuss the future of the industry and exchange ideas to aid innovation and best practice.

Highlights of the conference include DNDi Africa’s session on strategic sourcing of clinical trial supplies in Africa. It was noted by those in the audience the importance of consulting experts on the ground in markets on your first interaction with a region, especially for emerging markets. Issues such as customs processes, regulatory requirements. Another session that generated much food for thought was Thomas Thoma’s section looking at the advantage of forecasting to study suppliers– reduce wastage, loss levels and the levels of overage. The clinical trial centricity panel was noted as being an apt forum to shake up the industry to focus on site centricity and the benefits of doing so.

In looking at how the industry can improve its innovative edge, Andrea Zobel noted the power behind the Internet of Things and tech’s interoperability within clinical trials. eLabeling was another prospect with much anticipation around its potential application within clinical trials to simplify labelling hurdles.

The event also featured a tech demo drive as well as an interactive survey session looking at the role of couriers in a changing clinical trial world. 

The event was Chaired by Steve Jacobs, Board Member of the Global Clinical Supplies Group, other individuals featuring included Philippe Verlain, Clinical Supply Optimization Lead at UCB, Ian Walker, Head of Project Leadership in Acacia Pharma, Asim Khan of Amgen LTD and Lesley Holt from Mundipharma Research.

Heather Bogle, Supply Chain Solutions Manager, Almac Clinical Services presented her session on Regulatory Impact: Technology, Tools, and Insight to Mitigate Risk”. The  Almac Group is an established contract development and manufacturing organisation that provides an extensive range of integrated services to the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors globally. The services range from R&D, biomarker discovery development and commercialisation, API manufacture, formulation development, clinical trial supply, IXRS® technology (IVRS/IWRS) through to commercial-scale manufacture.

During her talk, Heather shared her expertise and in-depth knowledge on a range of key considerations regarding understanding the challenges of staying compliant in the realm of Temperature Management and discussed case studies on how processes, technology and tools are implemented.  In addition, Heather examined global case studies on how to reduce errors, improve efficiencies and develop compliance.

Interview footage of the event is to be released shortly