This issue of Meeting The Need marks the last during my tenure as CEO of BIO Ventures for Global Health. It has been a great honor and pleasure to lead the organization during the past two and a half years.

 

During that time, we at BVGH have clarified the mission; examined, debated, and executed value-added activities; hired some great staff; and added new Board members who have strengthened an already robust Board. Most importantly, through BVGH's work, we can now track the global health research and development pipeline and the involvement of industry players.

 

The transition of leadership from myself to our current COO Don Joseph has been a pleasure. Don gets the mission, understands the organization, and is a great guy. I feel very confident leaving the organization in his hands.

 

My core belief that everyone in the world should have access to basic medical care: health and well-being remains a passion. I will continue working to realize that belief by spending about one-third of my time as BVGH's Executive Chair. In this role, I will work on strategic issues and continue serving on the Board.

 

This new role allows me to increase my ability to chat with friends, colleagues, and new contacts about areas where BVGH can leverage its skills and activities toward even greater impact in the lives of poor people around the world. In the rest of my time I will be hanging out with my family (although I will really miss the spending time with TSA), kayaking, surfing, hiking, climbing, volunteering, sitting (the hardest part of all), and contemplating what comes next. 

 

The world of global health has changed dramatically since I first started in the field as a AAAS Fellow at USAID 20 years ago. I look forward to taking a step back to reexamine my role and where I can make the most difference, matched with personal satisfaction.

 

My personal and work contact information remain the same, so please stay in touch.

 

Warm regards,

 

Melinda Moree, CEO

Today, biopharmaceutical companies invent most of the new medicines for cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes -- and even neglected diseases. Still research and development into drugs for which there is not a robust market is challenging. BVGH spoke with Jim Greenwood, President & CEO of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) and BVGH Board Chair, about how biotechnology companies can overcome barriers to create new drugs, vaccines, and diagnostics for developing world diseases, and how the industry is critical in economic recovery and sustainability. 

 

How can the development of innovative vaccines, drugs, and diagnostics for neglected diseases help the U.S. economy?

America's economy depends on critical investments in innovation. U.S. biotech companies are the world leaders in innovative research and development (R&D), but with rising competition abroad, it is important that the U.S. bolster our own innovation economy to keep and create high-paying jobs and maintain our nation's leadership in the development of groundbreaking cures and breakthrough medicines. Biotech is an economic growth engine, providing high-quality jobs for researchers and scientists, and generating employment for millions of workers in other related and supporting industries. And, most importantly, continued innovation in biotech can help reduce the incidence of disease, saving lives while helping lower overall health care costs at home and worldwide.

 

Why should biotechnology companies get involved in developing new solutions to global health issues today?

Neglected diseases affect more than one billion people, the majority of whom live in developing countries. Based on the enormous need for treatments and cures, and the devastating impact on patients around the world, the promise of biotech innovations to treat and cure neglected diseases could have a profound effect on global health.

 

Through close collaboration with governments and non-governmental organizations, there is hope that biotech companies may develop better treatments for neglected diseases such as Chagas diesease, dengue fever, African sleeping sickness, and leishmaniasis. It is this hope that serves as the foundation for the majority of emerging biotech companies -- and, of course, the patients they serve.

 

Often, engaging in research and development for neglected diseases is not financially viable for product developers. How does BIO suggest biotech companies, many of which are pre-profit, overcome these challenges to contribute to the development of new products for these diseases?

Today's emerging biotech companies face an increasingly difficult regulatory environment and significant challenges raising capital. More than ever, emerging company CEOs must always be planning ahead and thinking through the steps necessary to follow through on the exit strategy.

 

Based on the need to transform the environment, BIO set out over the past eighteen months to identify the changes that needed to be made to overcome these challenges. Thought leaders and others within and outside of the industry provided suggestions and input on potential game-changing strategies many of which are including in our "Unleashing the Promise of Biotechnology" proposal, released last year.

 

The policy proposals and regulatory reforms included in this strategic plan are designed to help speed life-saving treatments to sick and suffering patients in a safe and expedited manner. Currently, the average time between treatment discovery and availability to a sick and suffering patient is 10-15 years. That is much too long -- particularly when you or a loved one is sick and suffering.

 

Further, these reforms encourage innovation through private investment in fields of biotech that are critical not only to our personal health, but also to our economic health. The proposals in our plan will be turned into legislative language -- and we will work with Congress to pass laws designed to create a new environment designed to fight disease -- not the cure.

 

The top leaders in biotech companies and investment firms will convene at the 14th Annual BIO CEO & Investor conference February 13-14 in New York City. What are the major themes of the conference, and what are your expectations for the event?

New this year, the BIO CEO & Investor Conference will include Fireside Chats with senior industry executives sharing their insights into biopharma R&D and strategy, followed by an interactive question and answer session. The event is the largest independent investor conference focused on established and publicly-traded biotechnology companies.

 

In addition to Fireside Chats, the conference will host Therapeutic Workshops, Business Roundtables and BIO One-on-One Partnering. The Therapeutic Workshops will address topics such as oncology, companion diagnostics, neurological, and cardiovascular diseases while the Business Roundtables will focus on biotech drug launches, unique business models, and licensing, and deal making. BIO's One-on-One Partnering system provides the opportunity to arrange meetings between investors, companies and industry executives. Furthermore, the event features presentations from more than 130 leading biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies.

 

Last October the World Intellection Property Organization (WIPO) in partnership with BVGH launched WIPO Re:Search, a consortium of eight major pharmaceutical companies, research institutions and other product developers to share intellectual property and associated expertise and drive the development of new biomedical solutions to neglected tropical diseases, malaria, and tuberculosis. How can WIPO Re:Search and other global health initiatives effectively involve biotech companies?

WIPO Re:Search aims to stimulate R&D for new and better treatment options for several neglected and infectious diseases. Emerging companies must be aggressive in exploring business development opportunities that could lead to potential collaborations and partnerships. WIPO Re:Search and other global health initiatives may help companies navigate the many opportunities that exist within global health, and provide guidance on how to engage with potential partners that will lead to future breakthroughs and treatments.