Articles

The issue of climate change is now upon us....and the news about ecology is unfolding with many variables. Here is my take on the image and branding side.
Suddenly, away from the hundreds of available colors, there is a rush all over the world to paint almost everything green; green paint, green ribbons, green wrappings and green fabrics becoming the top choice, causing shortages of the material, while green logos, green billboards and almost politically-correct green ties and attires are becoming the most fashionable and trendy statements. Just like a year-round St. Patrick's Day; the big green dress party has started. As if this process will provide that green-mask, creating the appearance of a fighter, presence of a leader, out fixing the global environment. Oh Really? The mar…

Roche to announce new breast cancer data pointing to better survival chances and potential for cure Phase II results suggest Avastin can be used in curative setting
Basel, 10th December 2007 – Experts attending the 30th San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS) December 13-16, will be amongst the first to hear new data that highlight further advances in the treatment of breast cancer with Avastin, Herceptin, pertuzumab and Xeloda. Data to be presented will show that Avastin may have the potential to be used as a curative treatment following breast cancer surgery. Results from the randomized CHAT study (Xeloda, Herceptin and Taxotere), will show that Xeloda when added to Herceptin and docetaxel offers important survival benefits for women with advanced breast cancer. In addition, data…

Spanish pharmaceutical company Almirall has unveiled a state-of-the-art new dry-powder inhaler in which it plans to market its lead pipeline compound aclidinium bromide for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The device, developed by specialist inhaler company Sofotec, acquired by Almirall in 2006, is set to become the gold standard in inhaler design, claims the company, and will aid patient compliance with anticholinergic medication.
Spanish pharmaceutical company Almirall has unveiled a state-of-the-art new dry-powder inhaler in which it plans to market its lead pipeline compound aclidinium bromide for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The device, developed by specialist inhaler company Sofotec, acquired by Almirall in 2006, is set to become the gold standard in inha…

Are you keen to join a young, entrepreneurial, fast growth organisation? We'd like to hear from you.
PharmiWeb Solutions - publisher of PharmiWeb.com - is one of the UK's leading providers of web based solutions to the pharmaceutical sector. In fact we're so good that we this year we have been shortlisted for the UK AOP Best Business Online Publisher 2007 Award. And we're expanding too. This is where you come in. We are looking for a Digital Account/Project Manager, to manage the implementation of innovative web and software developments for our blue chip customer base. Are you keen to join a young, entrepreneurial, fast growth organisation? We'd like to hear from you. You’ll be a good all rounder, equally at home with a web design and build project as you are with managing online adve…

PharmiWeb Solutions’ Managing Director Paul Hartigan was a speaker at the annual conference of the Pharmaceutical Marketing Society in London yesterday, November 26th, hosted by the Royal College of Nurses. He reviews his thoughts on the day here.
The theme of the event was Return on Investment in pharma marketing, with one of the key strands being ROI for emarketing. Having been to a number of conferences on this topic over the past few years, there has been an evident sea change in the general sentiment of the delegates from uncertainty and disbelief three or four years ago, to cautious optimism last year, through to a general feeling of enthusiasm at this particular event. Admittedly, this is a self-selecting audience – it’s unlikely anyone would attend without at least a passing intere…

PharmiWeb Solutions are looking for a Client Project Manager, to manage the implementation of innovative web and software developments for our blue chip customer base.
PharmiWeb Solutions - publisher of PharmiWeb.com - is one of the UK's leading providers of web based solutions to the pharmaceutical sector. In fact we're so good that we this year we have been shortlisted for the UK AOP Best Business Online Publisher 2007 Award. And we're expanding too. This is where you come in. We are looking for a Client Project Manager, to manage the implementation of innovative web and software developments for our blue chip customer base. If you are keen to join a young, entrepreneurial, fast growth organisation, we'd like to hear from you. You'll need a blend of web, pharma, marketing and project…

Two things; firstly among all of the great business concepts of the last few decades the franchise model has always surfaced to the very top. Secondly, over the next decade the introduction of hundreds of fresh, locally nurtured franchise concepts emerging within Dubai and the Gulf States will set the stage for a great revolution of nouvo-consumerism. So what are the four key factors driving this movement?
Firstly, the places to park new concepts; the current, ever-expanding construction phases in Dubai, UAE, GCC and all over Asia, provide a highly fertile ground for such concepts to nestle in, a home in the newly designed and creatively appointed decors, so that the cute new concepts with the most lavish and appealing ideas would flourish. The combination of creative concepts blended w…

Healthcare specialist online publisher and e-business services provider PharmiWeb Solutions has been shortlisted for the Best Online Publisher awards by the UK Association of Online Publishers (AOP). Paul Hartigan, PharmiWeb CEO, commented on the news, which was announced this week, “We’re delighted to be shortlisted for such a prestigious award.
Healthcare specialist online publisher and e-business services provider PharmiWeb Solutions has been shortlisted for the Best Online Publisher awards by the UK Association of Online Publishers (AOP). Paul Hartigan, PharmiWeb CEO, commented on the news, which was announced this week, “We’re delighted to be shortlisted for such a prestigious award. We enjoy punching above our weight, and relish the fact that we are up against major international p…

Merck’s position as the sole provider of an oral antidiabetic drug in the novel dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP 4) inhibitor class is under challenge as at least three companies – Novartis, Takeda and Bristol-Myers Squibb - enter the final stretch of the development process. All four companies presented new data at this year’s American Diabetes Association meeting in Chicago.
Merck’s position as the sole provider of an oral antidiabetic drug in the novel dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP 4) inhibitor class is under challenge as at least three companies – Novartis, Takeda and Bristol-Myers Squibb - enter the final stretch of the development process. All four companies presented new data at this year’s American Diabetes Association meeting in Chicago. At least eight other companies including Servier, P…

BIPOLAR DISORDER: a new holistic approach to controlling mood disturbance from multiple aspects could revolutionise patients’ prospects
BIPOLAR DISORDER: a new holistic approach to controlling mood disturbance from multiple aspects could revolutionise patients’ prospects Treatment of mood disturbance in bipolar disorder is undergoing a paradigm shift. Traditionally, drug therapy has been focussed on efficacy in acute mania or depression. Now psychiatrists are realising the need to evaluate drug treatments from other perspectives, Their full effects as acute and mood-stabilising agents, side effect profiles, effects on neurocognitive functioning, quality of life, and on psychosocial functioning, are also important when considering therapy. Bipolar disorder, the condition where mood swings…

First medicine shown to extend survival of previously untreated lung cancer patients beyond one year.
Basel, July 20, 2007. Roche announced today that the European Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has issued a positive recommendation for the first-line use of Avastin in the treatment of the most common form of lung cancer, in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy. The CHMP’s decision is based on data from the pivotal US (E4599) study and another phase III Avastin in Lung (AVAiL) study which together demonstrate that Avastin is effective in combination with a broad chemotherapy range. Lung cancer is responsible for over 3,000 deaths per day world-wide1 and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common form of the disease accounting for more than 80 perc…

Barrington James Limited currently places candidates extensively throughout the UK and Europe in many areas such as Clinical Research, Regulatory Affairs, Medical Affairs, Data Management and Business Development. Working with key Barrington James Team Leaders such as Paul Duffy, Tony Kelleher will be charged with growing the team to assist with their Client’s needs throughout Europe. Dan Barrington, Director, said “…we are delighted Tony agreed to join Barrington James Limited, he brings
Market Leading Pharmaceutical Recruitment Consultancy Barrington James Limited is happy to announce the appointment of Tony Kelleher as its Sales Manager. Tony has 20+ years of Recruitment Experience and joins with the brief to assist with Barrington James’ ambitious growth plans across the UK and Europe.…

The anti-EGFR targeting cancer therapy Erbitux (cetuximab), has been approved in Europe for the treatment of locally advanced head and neck cancer in conjunction with radiotherapy and as a third-line treatment in combination with irinotecan-based chemotherapy for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. New data from the phase III EXTREME and CRYSTAL trials, presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s annual meeting, show cetuximab added to chemotherapy is also an effective first
The anti-EGFR targeting cancer therapy Erbitux (cetuximab), has been approved in Europe for the treatment of locally advanced head and neck cancer in conjunction with radiotherapy and as a third-line treatment in combination with irinotecan-based chemotherapy for patients with metastatic colorectal…

Those of you who know our CEO Paul Hartigan will realise that he is a keen cyclist (we have to repeatedly ask him not to turn up to customer meetings in some of his garishly coloured Lycra).
But this time, is he going too far? On June 28th, Paul will set off from Hampton Court, London, on a 3 day, 600km stage race from London to Paris (the L2P). Other riders will include top 1980s pro cyclist Sean Kelly, and European Classics star, Johann Museuw. This will ensure a pace designed to make the lesser rider suffer. So why bother? Well, the ride is designed as a sponsorship event to benefit three Children’s charities This year L2P will be supporting three charities: Morning Star Children’s Centre, a day care facility for babies and young children, often orphans, who are infected with HIV/AI…

Results of the CRYSTAL trial investigating first-line cetuximab therapy in addition to irinotecan-based therapy in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) were presented by the study’s lead investigator, Professor Eric Van Cutsem of University Hospital, Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium.
The anti-EGFR targeting cancer therapy Erbitux (cetuximab), has been approved in Europe for the treatment of locally advanced head and neck cancer in conjunction with radiotherapy and as a third-line treatment in combination with irinotecan-based chemotherapy for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. New data from the phase III EXTREME and CRYSTAL trials, presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s annual meeting, show cetuximab added to chemotherapy is also an effective first-line therapy for b…

In 2007 Lhasa will provide sponsorship to the Africa Education Initiative (NEF) for travel fellowships allowing African students to attend the 2007 Africa Education Initiative International Scientific Conference.
In 2007 Lhasa will provide sponsorship to the Africa Education Initiative (NEF) for travel fellowships allowing African students to attend the 2007 Africa Education Initiative International Scientific Conference. Four students from Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia and Cameroon will receive the bursaries from Lhasa Limited to fund their journey to the Main Campus of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Nigeria. The conference runs from June 11 to June 14 with the theme; Integrating new technologies in drug development. Dr. Chudy Nduaka, President and Board Chairman of the Africa Education Initi…

Patients suffering from chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) who miss out on potentially curative surgery may respond to medical treatment with the dual endothelin receptor antagonist bosentan (Tracleer) according to results of BENEFiT, a multicentre phase III trial presented at this year’s American Thoracic Society meeting. To date there has been no approved medical therapy for the condition.
BENEFiT study shows Tracleer (bosentan) improves haemodynamics in CTEPH patients refused surgery Patients suffering from chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) who miss out on potentially curative surgery may respond to medical treatment with the dual endothelin receptor antagonist bosentan (Tracleer) according to results of BENEFiT, a multicentre phase III trial prese…

In today’s clinical arena it is the norm for clinical and medical departments to work with a mixture of direct staff (headcount), contract employees and independent consultants, as well as outsourcing whole projects. Companies utilise this mix for myriad reasons, including increased pressure to reduce headcount carrying costs demands for flexibility and to meet the clinical trial program milestones within a reduced time to market.
So you want to contract staff… what do you need to consider? In today’s clinical arena it is the norm for clinical and medical departments to work with a mixture of direct staff (headcount), contract employees and independent consultants, as well as outsourcing whole projects. Companies utilise this mix for myriad reasons, including increased pressure to reduce…

With in excess of 34,000 doctors chasing 18,500 training posts due to start in August, one might expect that a slick system would be employed to ensure that the best candidates were matched with the most appropriate jobs. And maybe that’s what the MTAS (the Medical Training Application Service - an online application system designed to allow juniors to apply centrally for training rotations) was meant to achieve. However, it had been prone to crashing, and many junior doctors claimed that it was
What’s Up (Junior) Doc? London, May 22 2007 With in excess of 34,000 doctors chasing 18,500 training posts due to start in August, one might expect that a slick system would be employed to ensure that the best candidates were matched with the most appropriate jobs. And maybe that’s what the MTAS…

Despite all denials, newspapers all over the world are simply dying. The gravity of the problem is not that the competing media like TV or Internet are at play it’s rather that the public all over the world prefers moving pictures in the palms of their hands over deciphering or reading between the lines of nicely arranged words spread out on a paper blanket.
The Newspaper Cemetery Despite all denials, newspapers all over the world are simply dying. The gravity of the problem is not that the competing media like TV or Internet are at play it’s rather that the public all over the world prefers moving pictures in the palms of their hands over deciphering or reading between the lines of nicely arranged words spread out on a paper blanket. The Children of the Millennium Historians will reg…