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Drug Safety to Be a Primary Focus at 10th Annual Drug Discovery Technology(R) & Development World Congress

Posted on: Thursday, 7 July 2005, 09:01 CDT

WESTBOROUGH, Mass., July 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Drug safety has been a central issue in the news recently, and will be a primary focus of the upcoming 10th Annual IBC Life Sciences' Drug Discovery Technology(R) & Development World Congress, August 8-11, 2005 in Boston, Massachusetts. The conference will address this topic during sessions led by industry thought leaders such as FDA Acting Commissioner Dr. Lester Crawford, Dr. John L. LaMattina, president of Pfizer Global Research and Development, and Dr. Robert R. Ruffolo, Jr., president of research and development at Wyeth Pharmaceuticals.

The topic of drug safety is of particular importance this year, as public and government concern for drug safety has escalated due to recent controversies involving the removal of popular prescription drugs from the market over safety issues. For example, last year the FDA issued a warning about the health dangers of popular Cox-2 inhibitors for pain relief. The FDA linked the use of Cox-2 inhibitors to increased incidence of heart attacks and strokes.

Another safety issue involves the growing number of Americans who obtain medications from foreign locations, often seeking out cheaper suppliers in Canada. The FDA has said it cannot ensure the integrity of drugs bought from foreign sources, and has strongly discouraged Americans from purchasing prescription drugs from abroad.

Sessions on drug safety at the 10th Annual IBC Life Sciences' Drug Discovery Technology(R) & Development World Congress include:

* "New Regulatory Directions for the 21st Century" Keynote Speech by FDA Acting Commissioner Dr. Lester M. Crawford With the public's heightened concern about drug safety, the FDA has been under fire for responding slowly to reports of serious side effects in painkillers, antidepressants and other drugs. In response, Crawford will address how the FDA has recently acted to heighten the oversight of drug safety, both pre-approval and after products have come onto the market. His remarks will focus on new regulatory and scientific steps to make the introduction of new drugs more predictable and less time- consuming. He will also elaborate on how the FDA is restructuring to facilitate the modernization of drug manufacturing and to strengthen the safety of marketed medicines. * "Pharmaceutical R&D: The World's Hope for Tomorrow's Cures" Keynote Speech by Dr. John L. LaMattina This session will explore the issues facing large pharmaceutical companies as they bring drugs to market. Major medicines are facing patent expirations, and patients and payers are demanding value for the limited health care funds available to pay for new medicines. Key players are questioning the viability of the R&D model at big pharmaceutical companies. LaMattina will outline Pfizer's strategy, which is based on the belief that size will be a critical success factor in R&D research. * "Exploring the Industry and Regulatory Interface in Drug Development" Panel Moderated by Dr. Robert R. Ruffolo The panel will discuss ways that regulatory agencies and companies work together, the impact of rising healthcare costs on government, regulators, industry and patients, the rising cost of clinical trials and drug development, the COX-2 inhibitor controversy, and regulatory burdens and the lack of harmonization.

"We look forward to hearing from the nation's leading regulatory officials and pharmaceutical industry executives about maintaining the safety and integrity of prescription drugs in the current climate," said James Wagner, president of IBC USA Conferences. "Participants can learn about the latest moves to reform the drug development and commercialization process from the men and women who are actively engaged in ensuring we benefit from a safe, secure supply of medications that treat critical illness."

About 10th Anniversary Drug Discovery Technology(R) & Development World Congress

The Drug Discovery Technology(R) & Development World Congress is designed for drug discovery researchers and business executives to evaluate and understand the latest scientific, business and informatics advances in drug discovery research. In addition to a full conference program of speakers and keynotes, this event features an exhibit hall of 300+ exhibit booths showcasing the newest technologies and products that are driving the drug discovery field. Drug Discovery Technology(R) & Development 2005 will be held August 8-11, 2005 at Boston Convention & Exhibition Center in Boston, MA.

About IBC Life Sciences

IBC Life Sciences is an independent organizer that is in business to provide an unbiased forum for the evaluation of current research, market trends, technological developments and applications. IBC Life Sciences is part of IBC USA Conferences, Inc., part of The Informa Group plc (LONDON: INF) . The Informa Group has been a publisher and event organizer in the life sciences industry for over 20 years. IBC USA Conferences is headquartered in Westborough, Massachusetts.

Information For questions contact: IBC USA Conferences Ellen Massa Senior Marketing Manager Telephone: (508) 616-5550 Ext. 213 E-mail: emassa@ibcusa.com http://www.drugdisc.com/

IBC Life Sciences

CONTACT: Ellen Massa, Senior Marketing Manager of IBC USA Conferences,+1-508-616-5550 Ext. 213, emassa@ibcusa.com

Web site: http://www.drugdisc.com/http://www.lifesciencesinfo.com/

Source: PRNewswire

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