RA DELAY

A new study published by The Research Partnership reveals that patients wait 18 months after first experiencing any symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) before going to see their doctor. The study, which was carried out online amongst over 2,200 sufferers with moderate to severe RA from the U.S. and 5 E.U. countries, also reveals that patients who have been diagnosed with RA wait an average of 7 years before their doctor starts treating them with a biologic. This is despite findings that show patients who are on a biologic treatment are happier with how their illness is being controlled, report a reduction in the severity of their symptoms, are better educated about RA and enjoy a better relationship with their doctor.

BIG APPLE DIGS

Intouch Solutions announced it has opened an office in New York City. The new location expands the agency’s presence to the East Coast to service existing clients as well as lay the groundwork for expanded services, products, and talent. Intouch is based in the Kansas City area and opened a Chicago office in 2008. Both offices were recently expanded to accommodate growth.

LILLY ON YOUTUBE

On the heels of launching its enhanced Lilly for Better Health program, Lilly USA, LLC introduced the Lilly Health Channel on YouTube (www.youtube.com/lillyhealth), featuring videos on health and wellness, employee and community outreach efforts, health innovation, Lilly programs and other non-product-branded initiatives. Videos on the channel spotlight issues like the growing rate of diabetes in the U.S., particularly among teens, and programs such as Connecting Hearts Abroad, Lilly’s global service program, which sends hundreds of Lilly employees around the world as ambassadors to assist people and communities in need.

RARE-DISEASE INITIATIVE

The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) has submitted a Citizen’s Petition to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requesting that a documented policy be established regarding the review of potential treatments for people with rare diseases. NORD’s request is being made in conjunction with a report submitted by an FDA committee to Congress on June 27, 2011: Improving the Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Rare and Neglected Diseases.

BIOTECH OUTLOOK

GBI Research has released its latest study, “Therapeutic Proteins Market to 2017—High Demand for Monoclonal Antibodies will Drive the Market.” It provides in-depth analysis of the unmet needs, drivers and barriers that affect the global therapeutic proteins market. The report analyzes the markets for therapeutic proteins in the U.S., the top five countries in Europe (the U.K., Germany, France, Italy and Spain), and Japan. It includes sales forecasts until 2017 for the key geographies as well as the leading therapeutic segments. Furthermore, the report provides competitive benchmarking for the leading companies. It is built using data and information sourced from proprietary databases, primary and secondary research, and in-house analysis by GBI Research’s team of industry experts.

LEGISLATION TRACKING

Cegedim Relationship Management has released its revised and renamed eRegMonitor, a tool for tracking federal and state legislation. The updated service, previously called State Monitor, features a new graphical user interface (GUI) and “vastly increased functionality.” The company says that the tool “delivers an intuitive central repository for accessing relevant and current information,” videos and webinars, and a channel for interacting with its compliance consultants.

ASSESSING MANAGED MARKETERS

Best Practices, LLC recently conducted an in-depth benchmarking research project to identify common performance measurement practices of managed markets account executives. “Managed Markets Account Management: Assessing the Performance of Account Executives” will provide executives with insights into the evaluation of the account executive function and present effective measures that drive successful activity in managed markets account management.

ONLINE OPPORTUNITIES

Sermo Inc. announced the launch of Sermo Sponsorship, a portfolio of offerings that provides new opportunities for pharmaceutical, biotechnology and life sciences companies to engage physicians and educate them on new products and programs. Sermo Sponsorship is available on both web and mobile platforms, where physicians across 68 specialties discuss top issues in healthcare and consult each other on clinical cases in order to provide the highest quality care to their patients.

SUNSHINE STATE

In a move to expand its client service and presence in southern California, global consulting firm ZS Associates opened an office in San Diego. This is the company’s third office in California, its 10th in North America and its 20th worldwide. The new office will offer area companies a mix of sales and marketing services to address complex business challenges, including commercial organizational design, product and business development strategy, forecasting and research.

GOOGLE SETTLES RX SUIT

Google has agreed to pay the federal government a fine of $500 million to settle charges that it knowingly showed illegal ads for fraudulent Canadian pharmacies, which were offering substances like Oxycotin and Ritalin without a prescription. The Justice Department alleges that Google knew about these improprieties at the time it was running the ads. ❍

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