Frost & Sullivan's Global PharmAlliance 2005: Becoming the Partner of Choice

Looking at the increasing trend towards partnerships and alliances in the pharmaceutical industry, Frost & Sullivan had organized a premium conference, “Global PharmAlliance 2005 – Becoming the partner of choice” in Mumbai (India). The two day event focused on giving an insight into the world of partnerships and alliances through presentations and discussions and also recognized the companies who have been the best at partnering through the Frost & Sullivan - Partner of Choice Awards.

Balu Balasubramanium, Director, Research & Development, Bristol Myers Squibb

The first day of the 2 day conference showcased speakers like Dr. Balu Balasubramanian, Director, Bristol Myers Squibb and Dr. M. Bhupathy, Director, Amgen, who spoke about the partnerships and alliances history of the global majors and how they have successfully utilized this outsourcing model for their business development. Ms. Lynne Parker, Managing partner Trillium Medical Ventures provided insights into technology acquisition and commercialization at various stages. The afternoon session started with Dr. Jitendra Patel highlighting the critical elements to be looked at when partnering for drug discovery. During Drug discovery the most important element is protection of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR). The IPR aspects in pharmaceutical outsourcing were discussed by Nick Burrows, Partner, Blandy and Blandy Solicitors. Sandesh Seth, Managing Partner, Amerasia Capital Partners LLC spoke on Indo-US Biopharma Alliances and importance of deal making. The day culminated with a workshop on understanding the contracting process by Jacques Smith, Partner, Blandy and Blandy Solicitors.

Dorman Followwill, Global Vice President Healthcare and Life Sciences practice, Frost & Sullivan presenting the Frost & Sullivan - Partner of Choice for BA/BE Studies Award to Dr. Shiv Prakash Rathnam Managing Director, Synchron Research Services Pvt. Limited

The second day of the conference focused on the manufacturing and marketing aspects of partnerships as well as the growing trend towards outsourcing. The first session was governed by Mr. J. C. Saigal, Executive Director Nicholas Piramal India Limited. NPIL has been doing contract manufacturing for many of the global majors and have shown substantial growth in the same. Mr. Saigal presented his views on what makes a good contract manufacturer. Many of the Indian companies aspire to market their products in the US but lack the know how of how to go about the same. Anand Patil, Director Otsuka America Pharmaceuticals Inc. highlighted the critical factors for successful marketing in the US of new chemical entities as well as generics. The last session of the day spoke about the future trends in outsourcing. Dr. Vasudeo Ginde, President and Managing Director iGATE Clinical Research International, gave his views on the Clinical research industry in India and on future prospects. Mr. Dorman Followwill, Global Vice president Healthcare practice Frost & Sullivan presented his ideas on outsourcing the product manufacturing component of the value chain, its trends and future considerations. The informative sessions were followed up with an interactive workshop conducted by Mr. Aditya Sapru, Managing Director, South Asia and Middle East, Frost & Sullivan on the changing strategies being adapted for partnerships and alliances.

“Global PharmAlliance 2005 – Becoming the partner of choice” was a gathering of experts and leaders from Indian and Global Life Sciences industry. The Awards were distributed in four categories serving the different aspects of the pharmaceutical value chain. Suven LifeSciences won the award for Partner of Choice in Drug Discovery, iGATE Clinical Research International won the award for Partner of Choice in Clinical Research, Synchron Clinical research won the award for Partner of Choice in conducting Bioavailability and Bioequivalence studies while Partner of Choice for corporate excellence was awarded to Orchid Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Limited.

The conference served as a conclave of thought leaders and insights into their learning and was also an ideal platform for networking and initiation of business partnerships. With international participation from leading pharmaceutical companies and contract service providers this summit provided a platform for knowledge exchange in the areas of R&D, strategic partnership and outsourcing, emerging technologies in drug manufacturing, custom synthesis, clinical research, marketing and distribution and global leadership. Sessions on IPR and deal making/contracting processes in partnership agreements provided insights into the operational aspects of formalizing alliances. Comprehensive insights into the opportunities and pivotal issues that require competent handling while initiating and closing alliance agreements were also shared by eminent speakers.