DCAT Week preview with Executive Director Margaret Timony
Margaret M. Timony, DCAT’s Executive Director, tells In-Pharma Technologist what is new for DCAT Week ’16 and for DCAT.
In-Pharma Technologist (IPT): Can you provide some background on DCAT?
Margaret M. Timony, DCAT Executive Director: The Drug, Chemical & Associated Technologies Association (DCAT) is a global business development association composed of more than 400 corporate members. Its model integrates both innovator and generic drug manufacturers and suppliers of ingredients, development and manufacturing services, and related technologies.
The membership is involved in the full spectrum of the pharmaceutical manufacturing value chain: from raw materials, to intermediates, to both small-molecule and biological active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), formulation development and drug product manufacturing, packaging, logistics and related supply-chain services. Headquartered in New Jersey, a strategic location for many pharmaceutical companies, DCAT has member companies based in 50 countries across six continents.
IPT: What are some of the key issues that will be discussed at the education programs at DCAT Week ’16?
Timony: In 2016, there will be six education programs, which includes two new programs this year: Pharmaceutical Outsourcing: The Markets and Supply Strategies for Fine Chemicals, APIs, and Drug Products and Evolving Business Models and Partnership Strategies for Drug Development Challenges. Below is a brief overview of what will be covered:
● Pharma Industry Outlook: Market Overview, Macro Trends, and the Supply Lines
IMS Health provides an in-depth overview of the current and future state of the pharmaceutical industry: innovator and generic drug markets, developed and emerging markets, growth prospects for small molecules and biologics, and leading therapeutic market sectors.
● Pharmaceutical Outsourcing: The Markets and Supply Strategies for Fine Chemicals, APIs, and Drug Products
Enrico Polastro with Arthur D. Little will provide an overview of the fine chemicals and custom synthesis market, and Jim Miller with PharmSource will offer insight on the dosage form market. The program will also feature insight from Boehringer Ingelheim and Takeda on their strategies for external development and manufacturing.
● Evolving Business Models and Partnership Strategies for Drug Development Challenges
Executives from Pfizer and Bristol-Myers Squibb share their perspectives on insourcing and outsourcing criteria for formulation development and drug product manufacturing.
● GDUFA II and GMP API Inspection Trends
The program will examine the most significant global regulatory changes impacting API manufacturing and the business impact for pharmaceutical companies and suppliers, including the latest on starting materials and GMP inspection trends as well as what might be in store with the reauthorization of the Generic Drug User Fee Amendments (GDUFA).
● Transformational Sourcing: Innovation in Sourcing, Supplier Practices, and Risk Management
Executives from Amgen, Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, Roche/Genentech, and BioMarin Pharmaceutical will offer key perspectives on: applying out-of-industry learnings to pharmaceutical sourcing, how to prepare and respond to CMO and supplier consolidation, and strategies for supplier risk management.
● Biopharmaceutical Forum: Global Biomanufacturing Trends, Capacity, and Technology Drivers
This program will examine biomanufacturing capacity trends and the technology advances impacting supply/demand fundamentals, including an in-depth analysis of the contract biologics market. It will also include perspectives from AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen Pharmaceuticals, and Baxalta on their supply strategies for biologics.
IPT: What else is new for DCAT Week ’16?
Timony: DCAT Week ’16 is kicking off with a new informational session, the Member Company Announcement Forum, in which senior executives will share the latest in company strategy, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), integration efforts of major M&A, and expansion activity.
Additionally, DCAT is expanding its DCAT Business Builder sessions at DCAT Week ’16. These sessions provide member companies with practical ways and tools to enhance their professional skills in areas such as negotiations, team building, and managing business relationships.
IPT: What else is new for DCAT?
Timony: Although the industry has come to know DCAT through DCAT Week, the association works throughout the year to provide its members with other events and informational resources. These include Sharp Sourcing, held annually in July, which features solution-based best practices in sourcing, procurement and supply management, plus specialized educational forums for buyers and suppliers.
More information on DCAT and DCAT Week ’16 may be found at www.dcat.org.
