2024 Mid-year Highlights: A Successful Gathering
On June 12, the Global Life Sciences Alliance (GLSA) hosted an engaging online networking event focusing on the 2024 mid-year highlights. The event saw a robust turnout with 35 participants, blending familiar faces with new members, fostering a vibrant and dynamic discussion.
Opening Remarks and Industry Updates
Chris Matheus kicked off the event with a warm welcome, introducing new members and setting the stage with industry updates, news, and conference reviews. Participants shared their travel plans, locations, and upcoming trips, adding a personal touch to the professional gathering.
Networking and Collaborative Initiatives
The meeting adopted an open house format, encouraging participants to share their LinkedIn profiles for seamless networking. Chris also promoted the Women of Life Sciences virtual event and called for volunteers to judge the best giveaways at the upcoming DIA, led by Sheila Mahoney-Jewels ().
GLSA’s Mission and Conference Insights
The GLSA reiterated its mission to provide solutions for clinical trial issues. Michael Young, Brian Langin, Cameron Robinson, and Denise McNerney shared insights from the BIO conference, which boasted over 19,000 attendees. Michael also reviewed the heavily attended ASCO conference, noting a significant presence of first-time exhibitors and attendees.
Business Update and Market Analysis
Chris Matheus presented a detailed analysis of the business performance in the first half of the year. He discussed the initial surge in activity, followed by a slowdown in decision-making and funding optimism. Chris also covered the recent Federal Open Market Committee meeting, touching on global uncertainties and their potential impact on market trends, including the upcoming US presidential election and geopolitical tensions.
Advances in Drug Approvals and Precision Medicine
Recent advancements in drug approvals for NASH/fatty liver and Alzheimer’s were highlighted, with Michael Young discussing precision medicine’s role in oncology drug development. Notable Labs’ blood test and Keliomics’ ex vivo tumor models, presented at ASCO, were showcased as revolutionary innovations that could transform early-stage development.
AI and ML Applications in Clinical Trials
Chris Matheus explored the applications of AI and machine learning in clinical trials. He highlighted the potential for large-scale simulations and AI tools to predict patient enrollment and rank doctors. Despite enthusiasm, participants expressed skepticism regarding the current state of these technologies, particularly in patient enrollment and regulatory validation.
Challenges in Patient Enrollment and Hiring Trends
The discussion also addressed the challenges in patient enrollment post-COVID and hiring trends. Michael Young and Chris Matheus were optimistic about the resurgence of in-person conferences, citing high attendance at recent events. Lisamarie O’Brien highlighted the difficulties in hiring, emphasizing the need for smarter recruitment strategies and the role of AI in applicant tracking systems.
AI in Language Translation and Clinical Studies
Duncan Shaw highlighted the challenges of using AI for language translation and clinical studies, stressing the need for exactness and precision. The group echoed these sentiments, agreeing on the importance of patience and caution in evaluating AI’s potential in these areas.
AI and Budget Building Challenges
Mike O’Gorman shared concerns about AI’s capabilities in budget building, while Ira Snyder emphasized the limitations in obtaining precise budgetary details due to data quality issues.
Site Negotiations and Challenges
The slow progress in securing site contracts was discussed by Michael Young and Jane Myles, with Viljena Trask highlighting the competitive nature of oncology site selection. Eliana R. Burke shared an encounter with a highly experienced clinical trial site, and Ira Snyder emphasized the need for balanced negotiations for successful collaboration.
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Looking Ahead
The next GLSA event is scheduled for July 17, with the subject yet to be determined. To stay updated on GLSA | FOCM events, sign up here. Stay tuned for more updates and we look forward to seeing you at our next event!
ATTENDEES:
(First time attendees in bold)
Judy Woods
Jane Myles
Viljena Trask
Bill Dirkes
Tom Lo
Lauren Sherwood
Ira Snyder
Cameron Robinson
Jared Byer
Joan Chambers
Lori Leathers
Jon Carlson
Christine Martin
Hiroki Matsushima
Duncan Shaw
Eliana Rivera Burke
Lauren Merante
Lisa Marie O’Brien
Michael Young
Marlyn Brookins
Dr. Syed Rooh ul Arifeen Naqvi
Irene Rivera
Julia Oxley
Yuko Terasawa
GLSA
Chris Matheus
Denise McNerney
Jim Sarene
Timmina Williams
Kelvin Izevbekhai
Rocio Rayna Reyes
Click here to view the 2024 Mid-year presentation.