Global Clinical Trial Management Seminar

Record attendance, flawless execution marks World Courier's inaugural Beijing Pharma Conference

Global Clinical Trial Management

World Courier once again delivered an exceptional conference experience at its 18th International Seminar on Global Clinical Trial Management and Pharmaceutical R&D. The sold-out conference - held on June 5, 2009 at the China World Hotel in Beijing - attracted 420 senior bio-practitioners from throughout Asia Pacific and set a new standard of sophistication for pharmaceutical seminars in China. It also helped mark World Courier's 40th anniversary with another first - the first event of such scale ever organized in China by a private logistics company.

Tapping into the $24B Chinese Market

The seminar kicked off with a short audio-visual presentation of past World Courier bioseminars, culminating in images of Beijing and the theme of the conference. As with previous World Courier seminars, interest in the event was bolstered by the distinguished panel of speakers and a line-up of "hot-button" topics critical to pharma-professionals conducting global clinical trials in China and other emerging countries.

"China represents one of the world's fastest growing markets and the most lucrative in Asia," says Allen Yan, General Manager for World Courier (China) who is pictured here (top). "With investment expected to exceed US $24 billion by 2010, China forms a crucial component in the global R&D strategy of today's international pharmaceutical companies."

Despite the advantages of doing business in China - rapid patient recruitment, a highly-skilled workforce and cost-effective operations (clinical trials can cost 30% less than in the U.S.) - the practicality of managing clinical trials in an emerging nation rife with unpredictable and often-lengthy regulatory delays, a vast geography and extreme climatic variations continues to be a challenge.

"Our seminar was designed to help delegates understand the realities of conducting trials here and in other emerging Asian nations and to recognize the role that effective cold chain management can play in optimizing costs and research results."

World-Class Line-Up

Heading up the speakers' panel was seminar chairman Dr. Ling Su, Vice President of Clinical R&D, Asia Pacific Research Organization for Wyeth Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Su is a veteran speaker of many conferences and a noted and respected opinion leader in the industry. He was joined at the podium by top industry representatives who shared their expertise on a variety of topics:

Dr. Cailian Kang
Center for Drug Evaluation
State Food & Drug Administration (China)
Discussion topic: Regulatory Considerations and Measures to Facilitate Innovative Drug Development

Dr. Paul Dai
Director of Clinical Development
Beijing Novartis Pharma Ltd.
Discussion topic: Clinical Trial Site Expansion in China

Prof. Johan P.E. Karlberg
Director, Clinical Trials Centre
University of Hong Kong
Discussion Topic: Overview of Clinical Trials in Emerging Markets

Mr. Mark Woolf
Global Distribution Depot Manager
Almac Clinical Services
Discussion Topic: Practicalities of Global Depot Management

Dr. Rüdiger Lomb
Director, Corporate Development & Compliance
World Courier (Deutchland) GmbH
Discussion Topic: Clinical Trial Supplies Storage & Distribution in China

Dr. Angela On
Director, Project Management Division
Center for Drug Evaluation (Taiwan)
Discussion Topic: Opportunities for Regulatory Partnerships Related to Multinational Clinical Trials in East Asia

Dr. Jyoti Paliwal
Director, Metabolism & Pharmacokinetics
Ranbaxy Research Laboratories
Discussion Topic: Clinical Trials in India

Dr. Jinsong Xing
Executive Director of Bioanalytical Services
WuXi AppTec
Discussion Topic: Opportunities and Challenges in Pharma R&D in China

Dr. Cherrie Che
Senior Manager, Business Risk Services
Ernst & Young Advisory Services Ltd.
Discussion Topic: Changing Dynamics of Pharma Outsourcing in Asia

Clinical Trial Supply Chain

Educational Displays

Learning more about the many logistical solutions designed to assist practitioners extended well beyond the presentations. During the breaks, delegates were free to explore the ingenious and unusual 3-D displays set up by World Courier in the entrance hall.

In one area, a unique "walk-through-history" showcase highlighted some of the milestones in the history of the world and for World Courier over the past 40 years.

In another area, high performance Vacuum-Insulated Panel (VIP) packaging and Active Temperature-Controlled (ATC) packaging were displayed near a slightly-elevated catwalk which invited participants to inspect and interact with the materials.

The third exhibit - a Clinical Trial Supply Chain Services (CTSCS) display - featured a set-up of the actual storage lockers used in World Courier's global network of nine investigational storage depots, giving delegates a first-hand understanding of how the depots function.

Excellent Feedback

At the end of the day-long conference, delegates were invited to meet the speakers and members of World Courier's international management team for cocktails and discussion. Feedback was extremely positive, with many expressing admiration for the scale of the event, the content of the presentations and the professional organization. "Some said that this is the best event that has ever taken place in China, or they had ever been to," reports Mr. Yan with great pleasure.

"At World Courier, our intent is and has always been to provide a forum where delegates can network with industry colleagues while learning directly from regulators, trial sponsors, suppliers and users. Being private, our seminars offer a more focused and personalized experience. I think the attendees appreciated these differences and as a result, our seminar should be the largest in terms of attendance for years."

Undoubtedly the professionalism, scope and quality of the event gave many delegates a new impression of World Courier.

"We have accomplished much in China in the last two years," says Henning Voss, World Courier's Director for North Asia. "We have extended our domestic cold chain network to all 43 research locales currently approved by China's State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) and opened a new investigational drug storage facility in Beijing in October 2008. This was the first time we have been able to actively showcase our achievements in China, our long term commitment to the country, and the capabilities of our vast international network. I think many participants now view World Courier in a different light."

Upcoming Seminar in Berlin

World Courier will host its second bioseminar of 2009 at the Maritim proArte Hotel in Berlin (Germany) on Friday, October 30, 2009. Those interested in info or in registering should contact their local World Courier office or visit http://www.worldcourier.com/seminar/de/berlin.html.