Pharma | Business & Investments

Mary Pat Higley: Pharma Companies Partner with Academic Researchers

September 23, 2012 |

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Mary Pat Higley: Pharma Companies Partner with Academic Researchers

New York, NY (PRWEB) September 23, 2012

According to U.S. Politics Today, drug developers and academic medical centers are working together to achieve future pharmaceutical breakthroughs. This partnership has, according to the article, the potential of changing the way that drugs are researched and developed. Mary Pat Higley, a clinical pharmacist and leader in the pharmaceutical field, believes that the pairing of pharmaceutical companies and academic facilities can improve the drug development process.

The article’s insight is gleaned from a panel of professionals called to order by the Tufts Center for the Study of Drug Development. During a roundtable event, the participants on the panel noted that today’s drug developers face two major issues. First, they need to update their business models in order to produce cost-effective products quickly. Second, they need to reexamine and adjust their research processes to create a more effective research and development pipeline.

Professor and Director of the Center for the Study of Drug Development Kenneth Kaitin comments: “The research complexities associated with the most challenging diseases and medical conditions means that few companies have the resources required to discover new molecules and then take them through clinical development and, ultimately, product launch. They are finding, however, that academic medical centers can provide a valuable way to bridge the gap between discovery and clinical development.”

Mary Pat Higley believes that such a partnership can create a more favorable environment for research and development, and lead to better drug production.

“Drug developers need to not only develop new drugs to treat diseases,” asserts Mary Pat Higley, “but to also carry out well-designed studies to test the effectiveness of these drugs on appropriate patient populations. Large academic centers have access to large populations of patients and are often regional centers for referrals. They also have known medical histories, as compared to small research facilities that don’t have access to the full medical record. Knowing extensive medical histories allows them to better screen and match the patients to the protocol criteria. This allows for clinical trials with complete information and clean data and results. Slow IRBs and difficulty getting studies through contracts and grants at large institutions have been obstacles to pharmaceutical companies that are anxious to get their clinical trials completed quickly and their drugs approved and on the market.”

ABOUT:

Mary Pat Higley is a clinical research professional who has developed a noteworthy career by combining her scientific knowledge with her business insight. With over three decades of experience, Mary Pat Higley has built a professional acumen that includes clinical pharmacy, project marketing, sales and marketing, and clinical research. Mary Pat Higley is committed to enhancing patient care and assisting with the improvement of national health. To achieve these goals, she has become a member of the Association of Clinical Research Professionals.