Next from NPC: The Congress continues
Here's what's coming on Day 2 of the 2021 National Pharmaceutical Congress (450 words, 2.5 min)
NPC Healthbiz Weekly is presented to you in cooperation with Peak Pharma Solutions
The 15th Annual National Pharmaceutical Congress continues tomorrow! Leaders in Pharma will gather on a virtual platform to present and discuss the latest developments in the industry, in line with this year’s theme, “Fifteen Big Ideas to Carry the Life Sciences Forward.”
Panel 4: The Industry Post-Covid
The pandemic has highlighted the relationships between the pharmaceutical industry and government, a worldwide catalyst for change. The international race to develop Covid vaccines and therapies pushed the federal government toward a partnership with Pharma not seen for decades. Still, long-term relationships will require commitment from both sides.
Regulation, especially in the context of the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB), has been a critical issue in recent years. As we learn to live with the pandemic, the problem of developing an attractive business environment in Canada is the subject of renewed focus.
This panel will include Pamela Fralick, President of Innovative Medicines Canada; Andrew Casey, President & CEO of BIOTECanada; and Ronnie Miller, President & CEO of Roche Pharmaceuticals Canada.
Read: Life Science Organizations Call for Collaboration Across Government (IMC)
Panel 5: Technology Update
New technologies and approaches developed over the past year have already radically changed the way we work. The pandemic spurred an unprecedented wave of adoption of virtual tools and offered new opportunities for innovation in how we communicate, operate, and manage data.
In healthcare, newly implemented digital patient management tools can be integrated with AI to collect and analyze patient data securely. Such technology could improve patient experiences while helping to identify rare diseases and disease predictors. Real-World Evidence to complement clinical data is another growing trend in data management and analysis that offers a meaningful perspective of patient experiences.
This panel will include Pat Forsythe, General Manager of Eisai Inc.; Danielle Portnik, Regional Business Manager, International at Ambry Genetics; and David Renwick, VP & General Manager of Emergent Biosolutions.
Read: Using AI to Create a Drug Regime for Rare Brain Cancer (The Guardian)
Panel 6: Career Management & Talent Development
While some employees have enjoyed the convenience of remote work, the reality for many is that a lack of in-person access to colleagues and the office environment has seemed detrimental to career advancement. The debate over whether “the great resignation” will happen has been making headlines this year, but ultimately the question is whether employees feel adequately supported navigating new models of work.
Experienced leaders caution young professionals not to expect corporations to manage their careers but to take responsibility for their growth. Panellists will discuss the importance of owning one’s professional development and investing the time necessary to build a robust skillset.
Other essential career development advice will describe how to develop a learning mindset, approach growth opportunities with curiosity, and step out of one’s comfort zone to take advantage of every possible opportunity.
This panel will include Sandra Heller, General Manager of Seagen Canada; Janine Pajot, Vice-President, Human Resources at Bayer; and Fiona McCloskey, Country Manager of Labtician Théa.
Read: Why You May Actually Want to Go Back to the Office (Harvard Business Review)
15th ANNUAL NATIONAL PHARMACEUTICAL CONGRESS
Day Two of the 15th Annual NPC is tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. ET. Don’t miss out on valuable insights from Pharma leaders. Use our promo code “HEALTHBIZ” for 30 percent off the registration price.
THIS WEEK 10/26/21
LEO Pharma Inc. announced that Health Canada approved the use of Adtralza (tralokinumab) to treat moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) in adults. Adtralza has been approved for patients whose AD is not sufficiently controlled with topical prescription therapies or when those therapies are not advisable.
Quebec biotech, Immune Biosolutions, announced the start of a Phase I clinical trial for an immunotherapy (IBIO123) treatment, whose antibodies could neutralize and eliminate Covid-19 and its variants. The treatment can be inhaled and acts in a highly targeted manner through the lungs to treat infection at its source.
Health Canada is seizing some unauthorized sexual enhancement from stores in Halifax and in Kingston and Stratford, Ont. These products may pose serious health risks such as dangerous allergic reactions or interactions with other medications. A complete list has been posted to Health Canada’s website so that the products can be readily identified.
Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Susvimo (ranibizumab injection) for intravitreal use via ocular implant for the treatment of people with wet, or neovascular, age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The treatment is approved for patients who have previously responded to at least two anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Season Five of the NPC Podcast explored Pharma’s purpose, process, and people with a diverse list of guests across eight episodes. Podcast host Peter Brenders spoke with guests on clinical trials, laws and regulations, investments in life sci, manufacturing, working with the Canadian government, and implications of Covid-19. Did you miss an episode? Catch up now!
CANADIAN HEALTHCARE MARKETING HALL OF FAME
The Canadian Healthcare Marketing Hall of Fame awards were established in 2002 to honour healthcare marketers who have contributed to our vocation and inspire others.
More than 100 honourees have been selected during the past 18 years. In the selection committee’s view, they stand for a representative cross-section of the qualities that make our business unique and fulfilling. Each week, NPC Healthbiz Weekly will acknowledge one past Hall of Fame Honouree.
2016 Inductee
Peter Brenders
Toronto, Ont.
Editor’s Note: Peter is currently Canadian General Manager at BeiGene.
Peter Brenders considers himself lucky because “every day” has been the highlight of his career. “I am not a front-line care provider, but what I can do is help with the research and development into products that truly do make a difference in the outcomes of people’s lives,” said Brenders. “At Sanofi Genzyme...you see that in spades.”
Brenders, always keen about a healthcare career, received his Honours Bachelor of Science in Pharmacology and Toxicology from Western University in London, Ont., and briefly worked in basic research at the university’s Robarts Research Institute. He determined that he was more interested in the business side of healthcare and completed his Masters in Business Administration in Health Services Management from McMaster University in Hamilton.
Brenders worked in the Ontario Ministry of Health, in the health consulting practice at KPMG, in senior management roles in health and corporate affairs at Schering-Plough Canada and Genzyme, and was the President and CEO of BIOTECanada for nearly eight years. In 2012, Brenders returned to Genzyme—now Sanofi Genzyme.
“I think about when I came here, we were just recently bought by Sanofi, and Genzyme was going through a different structure and the team coalesced and we built out. [We] continued to grow the rare disease business and built out a totally new franchise, in a space where Genzyme had no presence, to become basically one of the leading therapies and one of the brightest hopes for MS [multiple sclerosis] patients in Canada,” he said. “We are [also] building out now in immunology and oncology, and history gets to repeat itself. We have quite a bright future, especially in rheumatology and dermatology.”
Brenders noted that he is particularly proud of the company’s focus on therapies for rare disease patients—including treatments for Fabry and Pompe disease. “We have 220 or so patients suffering from rare genetic diseases that we have gotten to know and we are able to help. Without our genetic therapies, their lives would be much diminished.”
He also launched Aubagio—a novel first-line, once-daily, oral therapy for MS. “Literally thousands of patients today in Canada have benefited from this [therapy]. Moreover, we have launched a unique infusion product delivered as two courses of therapy one year apart. After that, the patients are drug-free. that is pretty neat,” he said. “You hear the stories from patients of how their lives are so much simpler [because of] no more injections.”
Outside of his day job, Brenders continues to be involved in healthcare through numerous volunteer positions. He is currently a member of the board of directors of VIDO-InterVac and The Cameron Institute.
NEXT WEEK
In the 11/02 edition of the NPC Healthbiz Weekly, we’ll recap the two jam-packed days of the 15th Annual National Pharmaceutical Congress. It’s easy to get your no-charge subscription and have the issue sent to your phone or inbox each Tuesday at 6:00 a.m. sharp.
Stay safe, stay sure, and stay on your game. We’ll see you again next week.