Life Sciences, encompassing Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology and Medical Device companies, is an area in which Acuma is continuing to build a reputation for effective informatics and Information Management. Acuma personnel understand the challenges and key drivers shaping the strategies and plans of businesses within the Life Sciences sector and we work to deliver business solutions to our clients to meet those challenges.
Managing Discovery :
There is a pressing need in the Pharmaceutical industry to reduce discovery costs, but to simultaneously improve productivity in the Research Laboratory. Acuma works in partnership with the leading innovators in this field to deliver "best of breed" information technology to Discovery scientists in the Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology community.
Time to Market :
The timelines for the development of new entities are extending. Increased regulator vigilance means that new compounds are facing ever more vigorous testing regimes. Acuma are working with Pharmaceutical clients to increase efficiency in this area. The adoption of new workflow practices, the use of electronic data capture (EDC) in the clinic, rapid statistical analysis of results from the Clinical Trial process and the use of electronic submissions are all increasingly part of the new order.
Technology Transfer :
As a product moves toward the market, vast quantities of data are collected on the properties and processing of the substance itself, its intermediates and byproducts. This knowledge needs to be carefully preserved and made available in a coordinated fashion to meet Production needs after technology transfer. This is part of the Process Analytical Technology initiative proposed by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In return for extensive knowledge and control of the critical areas of the processes carried out, companies are able to improve plant efficiency, reduce release times and speed through regulatory changes.
Globalisation :
Today’s Pharmaceutical companies are truly global in operation. Increasingly, Life Science businesses are pooling resources to improve product pipelines and reap economies of scale. Such operations increase the need for more effective management of worldwide projects. Acuma is leading the way in implementing technologies that provide true global project and product management and consolidated reporting.
Getting Closer to the Business :
To successfully manage a complex international Corporation requires acute business insight and informed decision making. Acuma can demonstrate many years of experience in implementing successful information management systems in many business sectors. Acuma has the skills and tools that are needed to collate data from disparate and diverse sources and provide management with a single accurate version of the truth. This consolidated “knowledge store” cab then be analysed and interrogated at will to provide timely business intelligence.
Getting Closer to the Customer
Who is the customer? Recent changes in the way that medicine is delivered are challenging the old order. The prescribing power base is shifting from the GP to centralised bodies and regional dictat. At the same time patients are becoming empowered. They are more informed and more involved in their own treatment. Acuma offers powerful solutions that can be used to more effectively reach out to customers and patients. Internet based services are providing additional value to both doctor and patient and in turn the Pharmaceutical supplier as well.
Regulatory Compliance
The need to meet the requirement of the regulatory authorities, whether under Good Manufacturing Practice, Good Laboratory Practice or Good Clinical Practice, has become a major preoccupation within Life Sciences. Failure to meet the required standards can have catastrophic consequences. Recent initiatives such as the FDA’s 21CFR Part 11 requirement have meant that many legacy systems have become “non-compliant”. Acuma is working within the Life Sciences industry to implement Best Practice IT solutions that meet these stringent new requirements.
Sales Force Automation :
Improving the efficiency and effectieness of Sales and Marketing channels continues to be a significant challenge facing the sector. Information needs to be made available to multiple users including large highly mobile sales forces that require timely access to accurate product and client information. Acuma has been involved in building sales and marketing systems for Pharmaceutical clients and can advise on all aspects of the collection, reporting and dissemination of sale and marketing data.
Mergers and Acquisition :
Recent mergers in the Pharmaceutical industry have resulted in huge multinational corporations. Disparate systems have had to be merged and data management becomes critical. The retrieval and sharing of archived research data becomes of fundamental importance. Acuma provides best-in-class business process improvement and data consolidation services leading to increased efficiency and genuine information sharing.
