Interviews

What’s The Key To Successful R&D With Artificial Intelligence? ‘Bilingual’ Scientists

 
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Before J&J’s former chief data scientist Najat Khan moved to Recursion, she talked to the Pink Sheet about how AI is transforming trials and driving collaboration between industry and regulators.

Blue Shield Of California’s Pharmacy Benefit Overhaul Could Still See Boost From Transparency Legislation

 
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The payor’s multiyear plan to ditch the traditional PBM model and use multiple vendors has drawn a lot of skepticism from other actors in the health care system, but Blue Shield is hoping that it can help give policymakers some momentum, VP Lum tells the Pink Sheet.

‘We Did Too Good Of A Job’ On Lowering Prices: Sandoz’s Haruvi Discusses Generic Sustainability

 
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As Hatch-Waxman celebrates its 40th anniversary, the chair of the US generic trade association talks about striking the right balance on supply and pricing, preventing shortages, and improving Medicare price negotiations.

ICER’s New President On What She Wants From Industry – And From Medicare Price Negotiations

 

In an interview, Sarah Emond talks about why she is ‘worried’ about cell and gene therapy, when ICER might revise its assessment of obesity drugs, and how CMS could build a reliable and transparent Medicare price negotiation program.


ICMRA Chief On The Future Of Regulatory Collaboration & The Move Towards Convergence

 

Artificial intelligence, real world evidence and point of care manufacturing are top priorities for the International Coalition of Medicines Regulatory Authorities, says the coalition’s chair, Emer Cooke.

FTC’s Rahul Rao On Why Agency Targeted Drug-Device Orange Book Patents

 

Deputy director of the Bureau of Competition notes in an interview that the FTC focused on older products it felt should have more generic competition in its letters to companies citing improper patent listings. He says it is clear which drug-device combo patents should not be listed.

As New Tech Emerges For Early Research, FDA Chief Scientist Says Diversity Must Start In Preclinical Development

 

In a Pink Sheet interview Chief Scientist Bumpus discusses need to move diversity conversation up further in the pipeline. Better ‘organs on a chip’ should help.

Stephen Hahn On Risk-Taking, Moving To ‘Friction,’ And What Industry Can Learn From The FDA

 
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The former US FDA commissioner turned venture CEO believes the biopharmaceutical industry can cure many of society’s ills, but firms need to talk to the agency more.


Different, But Not Poles Apart: Running Decentralized Clinical Trials In EU & US

 
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This second segment of a two-part article on a regional comparison of EU and US approaches to decentralized clinical trials highlights the differences between the two regions relating to the more practical aspects of setting up and running such studies.

Principles-Based vs Prescriptive: How US & EU Compare In Their Approach To Decentralized Trials

 
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In this regional comparison, regulatory experts at a US-based decentralized clinical trials (DCT) firm discuss their views on how the FDA’s draft DCT guideline compares with the pan-EU recommendation paper on this topic. This first segment of a two-part article dwells on the thinking behind why US and EU regulators tend to go down different paths. 

Ultragenyx CEO: FDA Leaders, Review Divisions Out Of Sync On Accelerated Approval For Gene Therapy

 

In a Pink Sheet interview Emil Kakkis contends the agency’s recruitment challenges, high turnover rates and a lack of expertise on the diseases for which reviewers are evaluating drugs have created a disconnect between FDA leadership’s stated willingness to permit accelerated approval for gene therapy and what review divisions are doing on the ground. 

Sanofi/AstraZeneca’s Nirsevimab Is Set To Transform RSV Treatment In Infants

 

Sanofi executives discuss ongoing efforts to make the monoclonal antibody available for the next RSV season and the impact it will have as the first prophylactic treatment for all infants. An FDA advisory committee is expected to discuss the biologics license application at a yet-to-be announced meeting.


FDA’s Robyn Bent On The Evolution of Patient-Focused Drug Development

 

The director of the agency’s patient-focused drug development program talks to the Pink Sheet about how the program has improved the development and evaluation of new drugs, initiatives underway, and plans to standardize and harmonize the process.