-- Basic Research, R&D: Christian-Albrechts-University and
Applied Biosystems
These organizations were recognized for developing a pipeline to use
for the identification of common susceptibility variants of functional
significance for complex diseases, notably Crohn's disease.
-- Clinical Research: Eli Lilly & Company
The organization was recognized for managing and tracking metrics
associated with implementing the SAS Drug Development
solution / partnership.
-- Clinical Trials: GlaxoSmithKline
GSK was recognized for developing a novel industry capability which
enables robust and efficient safety signal detection in clinical trials
from phase 1 onward.
-- Drug Discovery & Development: Genstruct and Sirtris Pharmaceuticals
Both organizations were recognized for developing a Casual Network
Modeling (CNM) system -- a powerful approach to modeling complex
biological systems. Sirtris and Genstruct collaborated to characterize
the molecular MOA of a revolutionary set of bioactive, Sirt1 --
activating small molecules.
-- IT Informatics: AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals
The organization was recognized for implementing the FDA's electronic
submissions gateway with SAFE digital signatures.
-- Knowledge Management: AstraZeneca Discovery (UK)
The organization was recognized for standardizing screening data
globally and making it available to all AstraZeneca sites.
-- Translational and Personalized Medicine: Merck & Company
The organization was recognized for breaking down clinical and research
silos that allowed them to view the Biomarker Information Pipeline with
the Moffitt Cancer Center that automates the flow and integration of
patient care data and gene expression data.
Honorable recognition also went to the following organizations in the seven
categories:
-- Basic Research, R&D: University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute
-- Clinical Research: National Institute of Neurological Disorders &
Stroke
-- Clinical Trials: Johnson & Johnson PRD Early Development
-- Drug Discovery & Development: GlaxoSmithKline
-- IT Informatics: River Road Bio
-- Knowledge Management: Naval Medical Research Center
-- Translational and Personalized Medicine: Cogenics
Criteria and Judging
Awards finalists and winners were selected for their innovative utilization
of bio-IT, including life science equipment, informatics and information
technology, on a project or organizational level to achieve significantly
improved results (i.e. improvements in productivity or conceptual
breakthroughs in scientific understanding or process methodology). The
peer review judges applied several criteria to make their decisions, such
as innovation, significance, and industry impact. Entries were accepted
from R&D and scientific facilities and labs in pharmaceutical companies,
biotech companies, academia, government, medical or related institutions
and organizations, as well as public and private research labs. For
information on Bio-IT World's 2008 Best Practices Awards, please email
marketing_chmg@chimediagroup.com. The July/August issue of Bio-IT World
will feature editorial on Best Practices, highlighting award winners,
profiling entrants, event coverage and the enabling technologies used by
the many companies.
The 2008 Best Practices Awards were organized by Bio-IT World editors,
including Executive Editor John Russell, Associate Managing Editor Allison
Byrum Proffitt, Editor-in-Chief Kevin Davies, and key marketing &
operations staff members of Cambridge Healthtech Media Group, a division of
CHI. Joining the editors in judging the entries was a distinguished panel
of experts, including:
-- Stephen Fogelson, Devolotron
-- Jim Golden, SAIC
-- Stan Kachnowski, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University
-- Jerry Schindler, Merck
-- Deborah Borfitz, Contributing Editor, eCliniqua
-- Sandy Aronson, Harvard Medical School
-- Howard Asher, LSIT
-- Susie Stephens, Eli Lilly
-- Susan Ward, Consultant
-- John Whittle, Tessella
-- Chris Connor, Health Industry Insights
-- Phillips Kuhl, Cambridge Healthtech Institute
Sponsors
Sponsors generously underwriting the 2008 Best Practices Awards are
Microsoft and BlueArc Corporation.
The winners will be profiled in the July/August issue of Bio-IT World.
The 2009 Bio-IT World Best Practices competition will begin soliciting
entries in October 2008.
About Bio-IT World
Bio-IT World (www.bio-itworld.com), the flagship publication of Cambridge
Healthtech Institute (CHI), is the leading source of news on technology and
strategic innovation in drug discovery, development, and clinical trials.
Bio-IT World explores the tools and results of predictive biology as the
industry adapts to the new world of personalized medicine. Bio-IT World has
won 34 national and regional awards, more than any other magazine covering
the life sciences industry. CHI offers a suite of published resources
through a new division -- Cambridge Healthtech Media Group -- that includes
Bio-IT World magazine, numerous topic-specific eNewsletters, white papers,
webcasts, podcasts, conferences, and the Bio-IT World Best Practices
Awards. The magazine is based in Needham, MA.
About Cambridge Healthtech Institute (CHI)
Founded in 1992, Cambridge Healthtech Institute (www.chicorporate.com) is
the preeminent life science network for leading researchers and business
experts from top pharmaceutical, biotech, academic, and niche service
provider organizations. CHI's integrated life science portfolio of
products and services includes Cambridge Healthtech Institute Conferences,
Pharmaceutical Strategy Series, Barnett International, Insight Pharma
Reports, Marketing Services, Meeting Planners, and Cambridge Healthtech
Media Group, which includes numerous eNewsletters, Bio-IT World magazine,
as well as Lead Generation Programs.
Contact Information: Contact: Kevin Davies (Editor-in-Chief, Bio-IT World) 781-972-1341