NEW YORK, April 18 /PRNewswire/ -- The New York Biotechnology Association (NYBA), a not-for-profit trade association dedicated to the development and growth of New York State-based biotechnology related industries, announced today that a panel of experts addressed more than 300 attendees during the NYBA Annual Meeting plenary panel luncheon. In their remarks the three distinguished panelists guided by moderator Matt Herper, biotechnology reporter for Forbes, addressed a series of questions seeking to determine how the collective and synergistic contributions of academic research, patient advocacy and the biotechnology industry can address the challenge of bringing novel products to patients for the treatment of chronic disease. The program was titled, “Living with Illness: Finding the Cures,” and was held as part of the organization’s 16th Annual Meeting that takes place April 17-18 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City.
Taking part in this forum were Dr. Barry Coller, physician, researcher and medical educator currently physician-in-chief of Rockefeller University Hospital and member of the Institute of Medicine and the National Academy of Sciences; Dr. George Yancopoulos; Chief Scientific Officer and President, at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; and Mark Krueger, MPH, president and founder of Mark Krueger & Associates, Inc., a well-respected consultant known for his strategic approach to building industry partnerships with patients, advocates, and public policy makers.
To meet the diverse demands of a drug research environment that is under pressure to develop breakthrough medical treatments the answer is not just simply applying the science. On the path from bench to bedside there are many contributors including the patient groups who want access to effective medicines that enable them to manage their diseases while still maintaining quality of life, and the efforts of a biotechnology industry that is challenged to commercialize products in a cost-constrained business world.
“Today’s panel discussion made it clear that critical to the success of finding cures for chronic disease are effective partnerships among biotechnology companies, academic researchers, healthcare providers, public health and education agencies, and patient advocacy organizations,” said Karin Duncker, NYBA’s executive director. “Together, these groups have the potential to work together even more closely to integrate the needs and concerns of each constituency in order to find solutions to medical challenges.”
Although each group has distinct roles and responsibilities contributing to the effort to find cures for illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes; all are confronted with the challenge of assessing risk, improving quality, and containing costs. While innovative strategies and programs exist to develop cures for these pervasive illnesses and, ultimately empower consumers and improve care for persons with chronic conditions, actually implementing and sustaining high-quality, cost-effective drug development initiatives and care management is a challenging task. The good news is that many innovative models exist to facilitate the successful translation of basic research discoveries into products for patients.
“Chronic diseases are the leading causes of death and disability in the United States and account for 70% of the nation’s death -- affecting the quality of life of 90 million Americans,” said Jack Huttner, VP, Commercial & Public Affairs at Genencor International, Inc., and Chairman of the NYBA Board of Directors. “What was interesting in today’s presentation is how each speaker underscored the fact that we all can play a role in finding the needed cures.”
NYBA’s annual two-day meeting brought together leaders in the biotechnology community to examine and discuss issues vital to the industry from a financial, public policy, research and business development perspective. More than 500 scientists, medical researchers, biotechnology business executives, investors, policy makers and journalists convened for NYBA’s 16th annual meeting. For an archived transcript of today’s presentation, please visit the NYBA website: http://www.nyba.org .
About NYBA
NYBA is the leading advocate for advancing the success of the biotechnology industry in New York State and is its main representative to policy makers, the media and the communities in which we work. Our mission is to support the development and growth of New York’s biotechnology industry, and serve our members and the biotechnology community by providing a network for information exchange, shared services and collective action. NYBA’s membership comprises over 250 bioscience companies, world-class research institutions and related professional services. Under the banner of The Cures Start Here(R), our goal is to amplify the success New York has had and continues to have in discovering major medical advances and growing a vibrant biotech industry. For more information on NYBA programs and initiatives, visit our website at http://www.nyba.org .
NYBA
CONTACT: Karin Duncker of NYBA, +1-212-332-4395, +1-212-332-4398,kduncker@nyba.org
Web site: http://www.nyba.org/
