w w w. h e a l t h c a r e g l o b a l . c o m
M a r c h 2 0 16
TOP 10
Healthcare Events in 2016
HOSPITALS The Proof is in the Data
Reinventing
the Wheel A drug delivery company, SUDA Ltd has become the top manufacturer of oromucosal products
EDITOR’S COMMENT
T H E M O N T H O F M A R C H is synonymous with “March
Madness.” It’s called this in honor of the nation’s annual college basketball championship tournament, which gives Americans the rare chance to watch sports during the day while at work. Whether you’re a top-level executive of a Fortune 500 company or a 19-year-old intern, you’re checking scores and pulling for underdog small schools to upset the country’s top powerhouse institutions. Famous legendary American football coach Vince Lombardi once said, “It’s not whether you get knocked down; it’s whether you get up.” Not only does that apply in athletics, but it carries over to the healthcare industry as well. In this issue of Healthcare Global, we’ll take an in-depth look into computerized patient order entry (CPOE), and the benefits and challenges for physicians that come with it. In the piece, First Databank senior project manager George Robinson describes his company’s evolution from a drug information publisher into a tech company that creates developer tools and web applications to help with this process. We also feature Mexican biotechnology company PROBIOMED, while CEO Sandra SánchezOldenhage shares her efforts to make a positive impact on the Latin American health system. Wrapping up the March issue is a list of top 10 healthcare conferences for this year, as well as our featured company SUDA Ltd’s new line of oromucosal sprays.
Enjoy the Issue! Eric Harding Healthcare Global Editor eric.harding@businessreviewaustralia.com
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CONTENTS
HOSPITALS The Proof is in the Data LEADERSHIP PROBIOMED: The healthcare leader Latin America needs
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6
18
TOP 10 Healthcare Conferences in 2016 4
March 2014
30
Company Profiles
Interior Health Authority
CANADA 30 Interior Health Authority
AUSTRALIA 42 SUDA Ltd.
BRAZIL 54 Alliar Medicina Diagn贸stica
LATIN AMERICA 64 Greatbatch Medical 78 Probiomed
SUDA Ltd.
64
42
Greatbatch Medical
54
Alliar Medicina Diagn贸stica
78 Probiomed
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H O S P I TA L S
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March 2016
The Proof is in the Data Drug information publisher First Databank has evolved into much more W r i t t e n b y: E R I C H A R D I N G
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H O S P I TA L S FOUNDED BY A pharmacist at UC San Francisco in the late 1970s, First Databank is a publisher of drug information. This includes several different elements, including everything from ingredient level, pricing, package size and drug interaction — all of which is beneficial in a medication prescribing setting. But FDB has increasingly evolved into a tech company creating developer tools and web applications. Its content is often wrapped in software tool kits, and can be offered as a web service. “At our core, we’re about the information and careguidance around medications, but we’re increasingly working with technology solutions that reduce the implementation barrier for vendors,” said George Robinson, senior product manager of Interoperability at First Databank. “The primary difference is we
typically have not tried to own the ultimate end user application that we’re providing content and tools for a developer to build that in a manner that meets unique needs of a user.” Data is key FDB’s data is very useful in a prescribing setting, as it is licensed by customers programmed to the data in various ways. It could be a financer such as an insurance company using the data to adjudicate a claims process, or an inpatient hospital information systems vender creating a software program. Each of FDB’s system vendors are customers — which include highprofile companies such as Epic, MEDITECH, McKesson, Siemens and others. These large hospital system venders then code FDB’s information into their systems. “We publish the data in various
“At our core, we’re about the information and careguidance around medications, but we’re increasingly working with technology solutions that reduce the implementation barrier for vendors.” – George Robinson, senior product manager of Interoperability at First Databank. 8
March 2016
T H E P R O O F I S I N T H E D ATA
forms and it’s categorized in several different modules of information,” said FDB brand communications manager Denise Apcar. “We also publish drug images and imprints, so when physicians are prescribing drugs, pharmacists can see the monographs and prescribing information of the drug, as well as make a visual verification. “We have a whole host of products. We take all this data and package it into various chunks that are useful for a number of different healthcare systems, and for very different things.” CPOE solutions In addition to developing the useful content and the software
tools that deploy it, FDB also collaborates with the industry to understand the use cases for medication ordering, prescribing and the solutions surrounding it. “We have enabled our vendor customers to develop solutions for them to deploy the computerized physician order entry (CPOE) services themselves,” said Robinson. “So I think we’ve been an enabler for that.” Historically, there has been a disparity in an inpatient setting with how physicians prefer to see order medications, compared with the way pharmacies view medications or fulfillment. Typically, a physician will order medication in a dose-centric manner 9
H O S P I TA L S
— how many times to take it each day. Meanwhile, pharmacists are accustomed to viewing orders by the strength or amount of dosage in the capsule, and are more concerned with inventory management and how the drug arrives from the distributor. Most of this is due to pharmacy systems in hospitals becoming computerized before electronic health records (EHRs). A successful order entry system allows physicians to search and order medications in a dose-centric manner that they’re familiar with. 10
March 2016
“It’s a nuance, but a successful order entry system will allow physicians to search and order medications in a dose-centric manner they’re familiar with,” said Robinson. “Some of the challenges over time were early physician order-entry systems may have tried to throw that pharmacist view on a physician.” A new era for EHR Robinson said these physician ordering systems have since transformed considerably over the past 20 years.
T H E P R O O F I S I N T H E D ATA
“Our products help guide the physician. There are all types of conveniences that are built into the systems as long as our system vendor customers are working with us to develop that optimal workflow.” – Denise Apcar, FDB Brand Communications Manager “Most EHRs have learned that lesson, and have crafted their CPOE systems to handle that,” he said. “In contrast, an ambulatory practice starts with strength in form level in order to send out a prescription that meets the state Board of Pharmacy requirement. A developer needs to be cognizant of the workflow and they need the dose concepts and orders or directions content that flows with that. “The other thing that gets in the way of order entry is the support of allergy, dose checking and drug interactions. There can be a significant frustration on the part of ordering physicians if their workflow process is slowed down because of dealing with what they consider as nuance alerts.” FDB realizes certain thresholds are different for physicians compared to pharmacies. Now the company offers an administrator customization tool called AlertSpace, which will allow
a hospital to view drug interactions, allergies and dosage checkers, while also modifying alerts to increase the usability of the content when ordering. In addition, FDB has also launched its Canadian pre-built medication ordering drug knowledge base called FDB OrderKnowledge. The product has been in the U.S. for 11 years, and allows clinicians to specify patient-specific medication orders quickly and more efficiently. OrderKnowledge is specifically designed to meet the unique challenges of CPOE with identifiers and built-in drug concepts that optimize system functionality and navigation capabilities. “Our products help guide the physician,” said Apcar. “There are all types of conveniences that are built into the systems as long as our system vendor customers are working with us to develop that optimal workflow.” 11
LEADERSHIP
PROBIOMED:
The healthcare leader Latin America needs CEO Sandra Sánchez-Oldenhage leads efforts to make a positive impact on Mexico’s healthcare system W ri t t e n b y: M A T E O R A F A E L T A B L A D O
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LEADERSHIP SANDRA SÁNCHEZOLDENHAGE’S NAME has become associated with successful enterprises in the pharmaceutical industry, thanks to a 29-year career in the business. From building new companies from the ground up in Mexican territory to consolidations and P&L turnarounds, Sánchez has done it all, even before being appointed CEO at PROBIOMED in 2014. Sánchez has held different positions in Mexico, the Latin American region as well as Asian and Canadian markets. She’s held roles such as regional manager, sales director, LATAM CEO, and has done strategic planning for companies such as Pfizer, Pharmacia, Merck, Searle and Amgen.
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March 2016
After earning an MBA in business management from the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education (ITESM), Sánchez attended courses at Washington University through the International Women’s Forum (IWF) “On The Board” program. Following her calling since an early age Medicine was a familiar subject during Sánchez’s upbringing. With her father being a doctor, she grew up considering a career in medicine. But business also attracted her, and Sánchez became head of the student union at her undergrad school and working as an assistant to management at Searle. Since then, she has never worked full time in a different industry sector. Sánchez’s work in the pharmaceutical industry has brought possibilities for thousand others to improve their quality of life. “I love what I do,” said Sánchez. “I feel I’m doing something for others, making a positive impact on people, saving lives.” Her guidance has proven to be a valuable asset through bringing together patients in need of biosimilar
products. These have made a difference in the treatment of illnesses with a strong social and economical impact, guaranteeing significant savings for health systems in Mexico and emerging economies globally. PROBIOMED: fulfillment of a personal goal Sånchez joined PROBIOMED two years ago, bringing a combination of mutual goals, resources, investments, knowledge and potential into fruition. For over 18 years, PROBIOMED’s
efforts have been focused on biotechnology, developing highly effective medical products, which like biosimilars, are available at affordable prices. PROBIOMED stands as the only Mexican company developing genes onto finished products without being fueled by foreign investments. This is just one angle of its operations, which encompasses a very close engagement with academics, colleges and different institutions to create partnerships and programs focused on science 15
LEADERSHIP
“In the next 10-15 years, Mexico is about to experience its largest demographic window. We must ensure our population is healthy to guarantee more productivity, a larger economic impact and increasing our competitiveness”
and technology developments. PROBIOMED’s contribution to treatment of chronic-degenerative conditions in Mexico — and other emerging economies in Latin America, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa — is having a positive impact on patients’ quality of life, and health systems’ financial capability to provide treatment to a larger quantity of patients. 16
March 2016
“PROBIOMED’s accomplishments are amazing,” said Sánchez. “I’m proud to witness a Mexican company that’s able to compete with global brands in matters such as innovation and quality, besides exporting, and contributing to a positive impact to individuals worldwide. PROBIOMED’s vision is becoming Mexico’s biopharmaceutical company to the world,” Sanchez said.
PROBIOMED
Proven leadership in every sphere Sandra Sánchez’s agenda goes well beyond being the CEO for one of the country’s most important pharmaceutical companies. She has held — or currently holds — other positions and memberships in different organizations within the pharmaceutical industry and in other fields: • President of Asociación Mexicana de Industrias de Investigación Farmacéutica (AMIIF) • Consejo para el Fomento de la Ética Médica, Dispensación y uso Racional de Medicamentos (COFEMEDIR) • Counsel for the National Chamber of the Pharmaceutical Industry • Counsel for the American Chamber of Commerce of Mexico (AMCHAM) • Board member of Mexican nanotechnology company GRESMEX • Board member of Farmapiel Laboratories • Board member of the Vertice excellence program, for Anahuac University • Mentor for Endeavor Mexico • Member of the editorial advisory
board for Reforma daily newspaper • Board member for Save The Children – Mexico (NGO) Building a legacy Sánchez is the perfect fit to lead PROBIOMED into the challenging times ahead, as she provides affordable biosimilar products to patients worldwide and carrying forth the company’s mission. Her goals for PROBIOMED during 2016 include: • Compliance with new regulations for biosimilars. • Expand sales and international presence. • Continue with biosimilar medical products R&D, focused on chronicdegenerative conditions. These goals provide for an optimistic forecast from Sánchez. “In the next 10-15 years, Mexico is about to experience its largest demographic window,” she said. “We must ensure our population is healthy to guarantee more productivity, a larger economic impact and increasing our competitiveness. Mexico should make the most out of this opportunity if we all commit to this purpose,” she said. 17
TOP 10
TOP 10 Health Conferences in These are the sector’s can’t-miss eve Writ ten by: ERIC HARDING
hcare n 2016 vents for this year 19
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WEBSITE: www.nmanet.org
National Medical Association Convention and Scientific Assembly August 1-5 2016 The Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center — Detroit, Mich. The National Medical Association (NMA)’s Annual Convention and Scientific Assembly is renowned as of the nation’s foremost forum on medical science and African American health. Each year, African American physicians and other health professionals from across the country gather to participate in the scholarly exchange of medical advances, discuss health policy priorities, and share experience through networking opportunities. Through NMA’s 25 Scientific Specialty Sections, the Convention attracts the broadest spectrum of African American physicians, academicians and scientists in the country. 20 March 2016
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American College of Physicians Internal Medicine Meeting May 3-7 2016 Walter E. Washington Convention Center — Washington D.C. The 2016 American College of Physicians Internal Medicine Meeting is a leading event for internists from around the world. Attendees can choose from a wide selection of hands-on sessions covering a broad variety of clinical and practice management topics. The conference will also feature an exhibit hall, where medical professionals can meet with top equipment vendors. WEBSITE: www.acponline.org
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WEBSITE: www.nextedgesummit.com
Next Edge Health Experience Summit November 3-4 Hilton Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing — Philadelphia,Pa. At the Next Edge Health Experience Summit, you’ll meet a number of people working in different areas of healthcare. Attendees include developers, manufacturers, IT pros, pharmaceutical companies and even hospital staff, all with the focus of looking to the future of streamlining healthcare. Sessions include personal experiences from patients, while others focus on hot topics like big data in healthcare and digital health. 22 March 2016
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5th Annual Global Healthcare Conference July 18-19 — Hotel Fort Canning Singapore A healthy way of life should be every individual’s goal. However, healthcare privileges differ across societies, and requires the combined efforts of government, the private sector, the public and health workers themselves to ensure both the accessibility and affordability of healthcare services. Funding for health and medical facilities are vital to the health and wellbeing of the public. But most importantly, health and medical researchers and developers serve the task of advancing health care and medical science through the study and proper dissemination of information, in order to improve the state of health care service of any country.
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WEBSITE: www.globalhc-conf.org 23
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06
WEBSITE: www.worldcongress.com/events/HL16028
mHealth + Telehealth World 2016 July 25-26 Seaport Boston — Boston, Mass. The role of technology in health care is growing year after year, and this Summit is a must attend for health care executives interested in learning how to most efficiently utilize mHealth and Telehealth programs to engage consumers, improve outcomes, and lower costs. It will allow you to explore innovative technologies, address regulatory and reimbursement issues, and discover how mHealth and Telehealth are used in various specialties across the health care industry. 24 March 2016
H E A LT H C A R E C O N F E R E N C E S I N 2 0 1 6
SXSW Health & Medtech Expo March 11-15 JW Marriott — Austin, Texas Another conference that probably makes you think of gadgets and music, SXSW has an entire section for healthcare IT. Like CES, as healthcare technology gains more traction, this portion of the conference is only expected to grow more. The SXSW Health and Medtech Expo started with last year’s event, and it’s coming back for 2016.
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WEBSITE: www.sxsw.com/exhibitions/sx-health-medtech-expo 25
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04
WEBSITE: www.tedmed.com
TEDMED Nov. 30-Dec. 2 LaQuinta Resort and Club — Palm Springs, Calif. In addition to an annual conference, TedMed also has a robust online community that you can connect with year round. It’s affiliated with the TED conference, which is well-known for its popular Ted Talks, and TedMed follows a similar format. The conference is packed with not only current health IT news, but also personal stories as well as a look forward at what will come in the next few years for healthcare. 26 March 2016
H E A LT H C A R E C O N F E R E N C E S I N 2 0 1 6
International Health Conference June 20-22 King’s College London Chaired by Professor Ewan Ferlie of King’s College, London’s Faculty of Social Science and Public Policy, this London-based conference aims to bring together researchers who aim to promote health and wellbeing through improved health services in Europe and around the world. The event intends to highlight the link between research and practice by gathering together a wide range of papers on health and health services research close to practice and/or policy. These will come from the full range of allied disciplines including primary care, acute medicine, public health, psychiatry, pediatrics, and ageing as well as economics, psychology, statistics, social science and ethics, clinical trial design, health informatics and implementation research.
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WEBSITE: www.globalhealthcongress.org 27
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WEBSITE: www.health2con.com
Health 2.0 10th Annual Fall Conference Sept. 25-28 Santa Clara Convention Center — Santa Clara, Calif. Following its largest-ever event in 2015, Health 2.0 heads back to Santa Clara to celebrate its 10th Annual Health 2.0 Fall Conference. The event is sure to include even more product demos, speakers, company launches, breakout sessions, and more – not to mention the best networking opportunities in health care tech today. Health 2.0 is the place to see cutting-edge innovation that’s transforming health and health care today, plus the best minds share their insights on compelling panel discussions, keynotes, breakout sessions, and workshops. 28 March 2016
H E A LT H C A R E C O N F E R E N C E S I N 2 0 1 6
HiMSS 16 Conference and Exhibition Feb. 29-March 4 Las Vegas If you missed HiMSS 16 in Las Vegas this year, you missed an opportunity to learn about the latest products in health IT and get a chance to network with other health IT professionals. In addition to informative sessions, expert speakers and networking events, the HiMSS conference has a strong focus on education, with sessions aimed at helping you learn new tools and learn more about health IT practices and regulations. Educational sessions are selected using a peer review process and range in topics from patient engagement, business intelligence and population health, just to name a few.
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WEBSITE: www.himssconference.org 29
Bringing new opportunities to life at
KELOWNA GENERAL
Chief Project Officer & Corporate Director of Capital Plann new technology and services at KGH’s new Interior Heart a Written by: Sasha Orman | Produced by: Andy Turner
L HOSPITAL
ning Norma Malanowich discusses and Surgical Centre
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I N T E R I O R H E A LT H A U T H O R I T Y
O
n September 28, 2015, Kelowna General Hospital opened the doors to a brand new Interior Heart and Surgical Centre. This $381 million LEED Gold-designed project was planned to significantly increase the volume and quality of care for patients and their families in British Columbia’s Okanagan region, as well as bolsters its relationship the
University of British Columbia’s Southern Medical Program as a clinical academic campus. With a capacity of 16 operating rooms—including two rooms dedicated to cardiac surgery—and innovations in patient-centred care, British Columbia’s Interior Health authority is working to bring that quality care to life at KGH in the months and years to come.
A newly created interior courtyard is enjoyed by patients, their families and staff
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CANADA
AN ONGOING EFFORT COMES TO FRUITION Nearly 10 years ago, Interior Health began its redevelopment project for Kelowna General Hospital. “The focus of that was renewal of facilities, but also to transform it into a teaching hospital with cardiac surgery,” says Norma Malanowich, Chief Project Officer & Corporate Director of Capital Planning for Interior Health. “The finishing of the Interior Heart and Surgical Centre building provides a permanent home for cardiac surgery and the operating rooms that were part of that transformation.” The four-story centre features pre- and post-operative care on its main floor, operating suites plus a cardiac surgery intensive care unit and post-anesthesia recovery room on the second floor, and its medical device reprocessing department on the third floor. “All of the technology is stateof-the-art,” says Malanowich. Examples of this technology include integrated monitoring and surgical systems and a hybrid OR equipped with both diagnostic
Norma Malanowich
imaging equipment and surgical equipment—one of very few in the country, this hybrid setup allows surgeons to perform minimally invasive surgery and drastically reduce recovery time for patients. With the opening of this new facility, KGH is able to provide interventional cardiology as well as cardiac surgery services to all of interior British Columbia. By expanding these services to a wider geographical area, the hospital is able to provide comprehensive cardiac care to patients throughout w w w. i n t e r i o r h e a l t h . c a
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C O M PA N Y N A M E
B.C. wood is featured on the outside of the new Interior Heart and Surgical Centre at K
“The focus of this building is really to provide an environment for wellness and healing” – Norma Malanowich, Chief Project Officer & Corporate Director of Capital Planning for Interior Health. 34
March 2016
interior British Columbia. “This fullfledged cardiac program reaches all of the residents we have within our area of the province, and really supports patients staying closer to home for major cardiac care,” says Malanowich. A FOCUS ON PATIENT WELL-BEING When building the new Interior Heart and Surgical Centre, Interior
SECTOR
Kelowna General Hospital
Health placed a strong emphasis on not just the quality of medical care itself, but also the quality of the environment where patients, their families, and hospital staff spend their time. The design of the new centre is heavily rooted in evidencebased therapeutic design meant to reduce stress during what may be a traumatic time for patients and families. “The focus of this building is
really to provide an environment for wellness and healing,” says Malanowich. “We find that, with surgical patients and their families, there is a high level of anxiety when coming in to the hospital for whatever surgery they are having. Our goal was to have a welcoming environment—to design our spaces so that families can be with the patient for as long as possible and pre- and post-operatively, and then w w w. i n t e r i o r h e a l t h . c a
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C O M PA N Y N A M E
OR RN Leanne Rains and Dr. Mike MacLeod, Head of Surgery at KGH, demonstrate laparoscopic (minimally invasive) surgery in one of 16 new operating rooms located in the IHSC
to have images and other things to reduce that stress that patients often feel coming in for surgery.� Shifting the same concept to staff and physicians who are also often under considerable stress, Interior Health equipped the building with lounges and staff areas to provide plenty of spaces for rest and recovery. Meanwhile an 36
March 2016
inner courtyard within the hospital provides a peaceful gathering point for all. STILL MORE TO COME In addition to the three completed floors of the Interior Heart and Surgical Centre, the top floor is still under construction. When completed, the centre will also
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It takes a community to build and an open a new hospital building - members of Kelowna’s community celebrate the grand opening of the Interior Heart & Surgical Centre in the fall of 2015
house a perinatal unit featuring a maternity ward as well as a neonatal intensive care unit. “We are anxious to get that floor opened because it will really complete the building,” says Malanowich. “With construction wrapping up midJanuary, KGH looks forward to opening this section of the centre in March of 2016. “Since 2008 when we started construction, our primary goal was to keep the hospital operating and minimizing the impact to patients and visitors and staff through the construction period—that’s been at the top of our project team’s
19,000
Number of jobs supported by Interior Health Authority in 2015
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I N T E R I O R H E A LT H A U T H O R I T Y
IH Board Chair
CANADA
mind and builder’s mind,” says Malanowich. Over the years of construction projects at the KGH, the building team has proved itself innovative and conscientious in scheduling and routing in order to keep disruptions to a minimum. This determination continues as construction winds down. “With the perinatal unit in its final phase of construction, we have developed a plan for how construction could continue with minimal impact, and I can say that here have not been any issues since
we’ve opened,” says Malanowich, explaining that specific routes and access areas have helped construction workers do their jobs without compromising the ability of physicians and staff to do theirs. A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH TO DESIGN AND FUNCTION Discussing this project, Malanowich rightly notes that many construction project profiles focus primarily on the design and build phases of the project—as she points out, the Interior Heart and Surgical Centre w w w. i n t e r i o r h e a l t h . c a
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I N T E R I O R H E A LT H A U T H O R I T Y
95
Years of design solutions
ENGINEERING. EXCELLENCE.
HH Angus & Associates Limited Consulting Engineers info@hhangus.com
has been a collaborative process every step of the way. “Behind it all is a vast team of individuals who make it happen,” says Malanowich. “There are those who do the planning up front and those who do the building, but we also have a team of clinical staff that worked side by side with the capital project team as we moved through each phase, and where their involvement is essential in preparing for opening these buildings.” 40
March 2016
Two “day in the life” events were IHSC – this included ev surgery to m
Key to the project is the public private partnership with Plenary Health. Following a competitive selection process, Interior Health chose Plenary Health as its partner to design, build, partially finance, and maintain the Interior Heart & Surgical Centre. The Plenary Health team includes Plenary Group, PCL Constructors Westcoast Inc., and Johnson Controls. The clinical staff’s involvement in key areas like defining new
CANADA
Company Information NAME
Interior Health Authority INDUSTRY
Healthcare HEADQUARTERS
Kelowna, British Columbia - Canada FOUNDED
held to help staff prepare for working in the new verything from a patient checking in for mock Code Blue procedures
2001 EMPLOYEES
19,000
operational procedures and orientation and training helped make 10 surgical procedures possible on the centre’s opening day. “When we opened on September 28 everything worked, all the staff and physicians were confident, they knew how to deliver care in this new facility,” says Malanowich. “That is the result of a very synchronized effort of many people and teams working together to have that building ready. I’ve heard the saying that it takes a village to raise a child. What I can say is it really takes a whole community to build and open a new building at the hospital.”
REVENUE
$2.0 Billion
w w w. i n t e r i o r h e a l t h . c a
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Reinventing the Wheel A drug delivering company, SUDA Ltd has become the top manufacturer of oromucosal products. Written by: Eric Harding Produced by: Vince Kielty
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S U D A LT D
H
aving established a broad technology platform for its oromucosal drug OroMist, SUDA Ltd is now constructing a pharmaceutical business based on reformulated products that demonstrate major cost, functional and effectual advantages over the competition to corner demand. SUDA holds over 70 patents related to OroMist, covering approximately 300 active pharmaceutical ingredients formulated into patented oral sprays. Using this technology, SUDA is developing low-risk, innovative products that improve both patient’s health and lifestyle. It’s a two-pronged business strategy: Either SUDA formulates a market-leading drug in the therapeutic category into a spray, taking it through clinical development to a stage at which the SUDA will out-license the spray; or other companies come directly to SUDA with their molecules and ideas to develop them into spray applications. “We have what we believe is world-leading technology, expertise 44
March 2016
and know-how of how to formulate oromucosal sprays,” said SUDA Chief Business Officer Nick Woolf. With its home office based in Perth, SUDA has other subsidiaries throughout Western Australia and Europe. Its subsidiary business, called West Coast Surgical and Medical Supplies, provides everything from pharmaceuticals to vaccines for a range of customers.
AUSTRALIA
SUDA laboratories in Perth, WA
West Coast’s four divisions include aged care, pharmacies, hospitals and supplying mining sites in Western Australia. The company reported revenue of $5.7 million in the 2014-15 financial year, with underlying revenue growth of about 20 per cent, excluding activities related to Detention Centres. “Westcoast is growing very nicely,” said Woolf. “It’s a nice ‘add-
on’, non-core business for us.” B E T T E R S P R AY S M E A N B E T T E R R E S U LT S SUDA often takes existing tablet form drugs with either expired or close to expirated patents and reformats them into oral sprays. There are several advantages to delivering drugs through the oral mucosa, including ease of use, w w w. s u d a l t d . c o m . a u
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S U D A LT D
Oral sprays
AUSTRALIA
lower dosages, less side effects and a quicker onset of action. “Because the lining of the mouth is highly vascularized, the drug is absorbed directly into the blood system, avoiding hepatic first metabolism and the gastrointestinal tract,” said Woolf. “This can provide enhanced bioavailability — meaning you need less of the drug to get the same amount absorbed into the blood system and with quicker onset of action.” “We also avoid the need for patients to have to swallow — which is important for pediatrics and geriatrics, as well as when nausea or vomiting is involved. We formulate our sprays with flavours and tastes for a pleasant patient experience, which gives better compliance and convenience.” SUDA’s pipeline of sprays include ZolpiMist® — the same active that is administered in tablet form as Ambien® or Stilnox® — which is used to treat insomnia. The product is registered in the U.S. and is expected to be launched in 2016, and SUDA is currently speaking with pharmaceutical companies in other
Oro-mucosal drug
parts of the world to license the drug. In addition, a sublingual spray for treating pediatric malaria called ArTiMist™ has completed a Phase III study, where it was compared to intravenous quinine. The results from this study confirmed that SUDA’s spray was superior. SUDA is in dialogue with The World Health Organisation (WHO) and other philanthropic groups to make the drug accessible in malaria epidemic countries, as well as expanding the use of the product to include early interventional treatment in the pre-referral setting. Other key products in SUDA’s w w w. s u d a l t d . c o m . a u
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A high performance liquid chromatography (HP identify, and quantify
pipeline include first-in-class sprays of market-leading drugs for treating migraine (SUD-001), nausea & vomiting (SUD-002) and erectile dysfunction (SUD-003, DuroMist™). The active drug in DuroMist™ is the same as Pfizer’s Viagra® tablet, which is world’s top selling treatment for this condition. 48
March 2016
AHEAD OF THE REST While it isn’t the only company formulating oral sprays, no one is doing it quite like SUDA. Although there isn’t a single type of technology SUDA uses, there are several different approaches the company takes depending on the molecule to be formulated into an
SECTOR
PLC) machine used in analytical chemistry to separate, each component in a solution
oromucosal spray. Moreover, SUDA has established a first-rate team of chemists, which Woolf believes separates the company from its competitors. “None to our knowledge have the breadth of intellectual property (IP) and experience that we have,” said Woolf. “Our approximate 300
molecules span many different drug classes and size of molecules as well. We work with different solvents, different types of excipients, different flavours and taste masking.” That being said, there are several obstacles to clear when translating drugs into sprays. w w w. s u d a l t d . c o m . a u
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SUDA board members Joseph Ohayon, Michael Stewart and Stephen Carter
“The challenges of formulating a tablet into a spray are solubility, stability and permeation. With solubility, we have to get the dose drug dissolved in a certain amount of liquid.” “With stability, there are a lot of drugs that are stable in dry powder, but will degrade immediately in a solution, so we have techniques and know-how to overcome stability issues.” 50
March 2016
“With permeation, the question is how you formulate it so the drug is rapidly absorbed. We have knowhow and access to proprietary permeation enhancers. That’s what differentiates us.” IN V ESTOR MAGNET Through its in-house pipeline, SUDA specialises in formulating products and developing them through clinical studies to a stage that
H E A LT H C A R E
creates added value for investors. SUDA’s business model doesn’t involve sales and marketing, but instead revolves primarily around out-licensing to pharmaceutical companies around the world to complete the clinical developments to the extent required, as well as oversee the registration and commercialization of SUDA’s pipeline of sprays. In these licensing agreements, SUDA seeks up-front payments for the license, milestone payments associated with the successful registration of the products, commercial milestones associated
with hitting sales targets and royalties on sales. “Ultimately we will create value through the up-front and milestone payments, and the sustainable income that comes with royalty flows,” said Woolf. “In our codevelopment collaborations where companies are coming to us, they will pay for us to do the formulation work, and if it was formulated in our lab, we will seek to have a royalty income stream from it.” SUDA also works with manufacturers, such as IDT in Australia, who operate to the standards of good manufacturing
“The challenges of formulating a tablet into a spray are solubility, stability and permeation.” – Chief Business Officer Nick Woolf
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44 Offices in 21 Countries
practice (GMP). IDT is currently manufacturing SUDA’s clinical batches of its first-in-class antimigraine spray in preparation for its pivotal upcoming trial. “We’re a deliberately lean company, so we outsource where appropriate,” said Woolf. “We work with a number of contract manufacturers around the world. We work with regulatory consultants around the world, but particularly in the U.S. to ensure everything we 52
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do in relation to the FDA is up to the highest standard.” W AY O F T H E F U T U R E With several clear advantages, Woolf predicts oral sprays will become even more common in the future. “For diseases or patient groups where a spray offers advantages, it can become the market leader,” said Woolf. “Technology has advanced to the extent that we can
AUSTRALIA
Company Information INDUSTRY
Healthcare Pharmaceutical Manufacturing HEADQUARTERS
Osborne Park, Western Australia ABOUT
overcome the challenges of formatting drugs into sprays. We envision many more sprays coming into the market in the future.” SUDA established its laboratories in Perth in 2014, but continues to add staff and equipment to the facilities as the company expands and works on more projects. “At some point we will outgrow our current facilities and will be looking for new facilities,” said Woolf. “And I envision that happening within the next 24 months.” “We have an exciting 12 months ahead of us,” said Woolf.
SUDA Ltd (ASX: SUD) is a drug delivery company utilising its proprietary OroMist® oromucosal drug delivery technology to develop low-risk, innovative pharmaceuticals that improve the health and lifestyle of patients. The many potential benefits of administering drugs through the oral mucosa, which is the moist lining of the oral cavity (ie: cheeks, tongue, gums and palate), include ease of use, lower dosage, reduced side effects and faster response time.
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HEALTH
DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM Considered one of the greatest Brazilian network in the sector, the company has grown about 50 percent per year since its founding in 2011
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ith an alliance between doctors, clinics and laboratories, and with the greatest tradition and excellence in medical diagnosis of Brazil, Alliar is one of the largest medical diagnostic networks in the country. Located in more than in 45 cities spread throughout nine states, the company operates over 100 outpatient and inpatient care units, carrying out excellent diagnostic
imaging, nuclear medicine and clinical analysis. Alliar Medicina à Frente offers solutions to companies, hospitals and diagnostic centers in the private and public sectors. With the mission of combining human talent and technology with the entrepreneurship to take diagnostic medicine nationwide, the company is proud to keep founding doctors in its administration. “We have
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over 70 founding doctors ahead of our operations. Today, in all our companies, we have a partner owner responsible for the quality of services, ensuring the safety and care of each of our patients,” said commercial and marketing director, Roberto Kalil. MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS Relatively new, the Alliar emerged in 2011 from a merger of four diagnostic imaging companies and continued to grow through other acquisitions, resulting in a total of 18 partnerships. In 2015, the first public-private partnership (P3) of diagnostic imaging in Brazil was designed with the creation of Brazilian Network Diagnostics (RDB), The company is now responsible for imaging services to 12 public hospitals in Bahia. With an investment strategy focused on the combination of organic growth and an intense acquisition activity in less than five years, the company has acquired and integrated more than 20 companies in the diagnostic imaging segments and clinical
analysis. “In recent years the company has invested around 25 million dollars per year,” says Kalil. Synonymous with innovation, modernity and quality, today the RDB is comprised of 23 companies with 70 outpatient units and is present in 31 hospitals. MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES According to the director, committees formed by medical partners decide on trade, operational, financial and growth issues for the company. Initiatives are discussed, prioritized, and w w w . a l l i a r. c o m
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approved by the board of directors for implementation by the executive board. “Production management strategy begins at conception and improvement of production processes, and advances to the online management of productive performance and services offered to patients,” he explained. Processes are streamlined based on lean practices, taking the entire patient care cycle into consideration. The Kaizen methodology is adopted
in the continuous improvement process to facilitate analysis and encourage participation of everyone involved. The holding office tracks the company’s performance in all aspects, including: operation and availability of all resources and infrastructure; service scheduling demands; occupation and production of each unit; degree of conformity to production processes; and level of patient satisfaction.
CDB Premium Unit
“The use of new technologies combined with motivated and committed professionals can bring quality and efficiency gains that will allow greater universalization of health.” – Commercial and Marketing Director, Roberto Kalil
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Mammography 3D
TECHNOLOGY AND QUALITY “We believe that health is the greater good of the people and it deserves to be cared for by people. We believe that the use of new technologies combined with motivated and committed professionals can bring quality and efficiency gains that will allow greater universalization of health,” said Kalil. 60
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At the moment the company is revamping its “IT chassis,” adopting a new digital platform to support growth and operations, compiling high technology, innovation, efficiency and customer service. The group will work with five unique systems, supported by a unified management of network infrastructure. In turn, management is done by the business intelligence
MEDICINA DIAGNÓSTICA
CDB Brazil Unit
system that extracts data from all applications for strategic management decisions. The company’s biggest innovation is its recent implementation of a MRI command and supervision. With this operating model, over 50 MRIs are controlled and supervised from a center with a team of technical experts. The director emphasizes the
importance of commitment to quality. “Our policy is to search for certifications that demonstrate our commitment to quality and patient safety,” he said. “We have the ONA certification that is the biggest certification milestone in health monitoring in Brazil.” In addition to the accreditation certified by external companies, Alliar has its own quality seal that w w w . a l l i a r. c o m
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Fetal medicine
certifies the performance of each unit. The SIGA seal (Integrated System of Alliar Management) is based on a set of requirements that are organized into four categories: scheduling; processes; quality and safety. EFFICIENCY AND RESULTS About 80 percent of all Alliar revenue comes from imaging services as MRI, ultrasound, CT, 62
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mammography, and PET, with other clinical analysis services making up the 20 percent difference. According to Kalil, the results are astonishing. “The company began operations in 2011 and since then has shown an average annual growth of around 50 percent. In 2015 we should reach a turnover close to 250 million dollars,” he said. The director assumes that one of the great challenges of this
BRAZIL
Company Information INDUSTRY
Healthcare HEADQUARTERS
São Paulo, SP - Brazil E S TA B L I S H E D
2011 EMPLOYEES
About 5,000 PRODUCTS / SERVICES
industry is currently finding ways that control the total costs of the supply chain. “We have achieved quite significant efficiency gains with the use of technology and bringing successful experience in other health sectors. However, significant gains, in our opinion, will only be achieved when different companies, different links of this value chain, are able to interact in a more mature way. Comparing health with other segments, it is clear that much remains to be done in terms of integration, information exchange, cooperation, etc,” he concluded.
Diagnosis Medicine (Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Computer Tomography, Cardiology, Fetal Medicine, Nuclear Medicine, 3D Mammography, Bone Densitometry, Ultrasound) and Clinical Analisys ANNUAL REVENUE
Approximately 1 billion reais in 2015 MANAGEMENT
President: Fernando Terni
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Greatbatch Medical’s LATAM development and manufactu Uruguay supply its global clientele with cutting-edge medic Written by: Mateo Rafael Tablado Produced by: Lucy Verde Interviewee: MBA Antonio González, CRM and Neuromodulation President at Greatbatch
INNOVATION RICA
uring operations in Mexico and ical devices
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T
he name Greatbatch is associated globally with innovation and reliability in the context of healthcare and medicine, a reputation earned with cutting-edge equipment and instruments aimed at improving the patient’s wellbeing. Greatbatch is a key player in neurostimulation, CRM, cardiovascular, batteries and orthopedics. Wilson Greatbatch, who started the company in 1970, created his first pacemaker during the 1950s. The company owns more than 2,000 patents and has been publicly traded since 2000 (NYSE:GB). The company’s transformations are a direct result of a diversified product line. In 2005, more than 95
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percent of sales came from the CRM market; now, the CRM market accounts for only 30 percent of revenue. Greatbatch is driven by tech innovation in the development of new, complex products, able to resist fluctuating and extreme temperatures and created with procedures aided by laser and vacuum brazing. Greatbatch is led by CEO Thomas J. Hook. In October 2015, Mexico’s Antonio González was appointed as the Cardio and Neurostimulation Division President.
Key People
Antonio González Presidente de CRM y Neuromodulación de Greatbatch Medical González graduated from Panamerican University, majoring in Finances and Business Administration; afterwards, he took postgraduate studies at different universities in the U.S. González was hired by Greatbatch in 2005, where he has also held positions such as VP of operations, general manager and global supply chain management, among others. His recent appointment as company president sets him in charge of 4,000 employees in different countries. Gonzalez’s credentials include a Master’s in Science from Mississippi State (with Magnum Cum Laude honors); a Master’s in Project Management with a specialty on Global Business, from Marshall Business School (at USC).
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González graduated from Panamerican University, majoring in finance and business administration; afterward, he took postgraduate studies at various universities in the United States. González was hired by Greatbatch in 2005, where he initially held positions such as VP of operations, general manager and global supply chain management. Manufacturing and distribution capability from Mexico R&D for Greatbatch is mainly done through laboratories and specialized facilities in the U.S., while Greatbatch’s Latin American operations lead production and distribution, as well as instrument development to some extent. The plant in Montevideo, Uruguay is focused on implantable devices. Tijuana’s two plants, which total more than eight acres, conduct manufacturing and distribution operations, supplying more than 200 clients from 40 countries. Tijuana’s strategic location and efficiency bring the manufacturing processes to the border city, which was formerly carried out by Greatbatch’s Oregon facility. Without a doubt, the Tijuana operation has evolved complex technical procedures, becoming a reliable resource for high performance technology and high quality production results that follow Six Sigma standards.
Besides manufacturing, development procedures are carried in Greatbatch Medical’s Tijuana facilities.
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{
The Tijuana operation’s quality products and reliability resulted in bringing other specialized manufacturing processes to these facilities
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Recent acquisitions: Lake Region Medical Throughout the years, acquisitions have become an important growth strategy for Greatbatch Medical. These transactions allow the company to branch out into different medical specialties. Lake Region Medical is the corporation’s most recent acquisition, which took place in October 2015. Lake Region was valued at $800 million, increasing Greatbatch Medical’s current value to $1.5 billion. This transaction also resulted in the acquisition of new plastic and metal resources for new areas such as oncology, laparoscopic surgery, UI, and diabetes, among others.
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Greatbatch certifies its personnel based in learned skills, discipline and punctuality
Supply chain Greatbatch Medical’s MRO needs are met by local suppliers, while raw material is imported from the U.S., Asia and Europe. To guarantee quality and reliability for each process, Greatbatch Medical demands purveyors comply with ISO:13485 certification, as well as putting raw material under constant evaluation. Other important suppliers for the company include those that provide logistics, customs services, and brokers, for importing raw material and exporting finished products.
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Demanding training programs The intensely detailed manufacturing processes at Greatbatch Medical require that employees undergo demanding training sessions. The company utilizes a qualification program that awards levels of certification, depending on new skills, experience, and overall work performance, such as discipline and punctuality. The company’s most complex training programs take 18 months to be completed. In regards to formal education, the company offers flexible shifts for workers to complete their secondary education. Some staff members are even granted scholarships to attend Master’s programs according to the company’s needs.
Greatbatch products are revolutionary contributions to specialized fields in medicine; now it’s
Environment and outreach to college institutions Greatbatch Medical’s facilities are located in eco-friendly buildings that optimize energy use and outperform standard compliance with environmental regulations.
Algovita’s turn, a new treatment for spinal cord stimulation
The company recruits interns from institutions such as the National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT) and some of the many universities located in Tijuana. The company also supports elementary schools and high schools, nursing homes, and sports events in its vicinity.
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Algovita: the revolutionary treatment for the spinal cord The year 2016 is strategically important to Greatbatch Medical due to the FDA’s approval on Algovita, a complete spinal cord stimulation system able to reduce pain in the spinal column and other parts of the body. Prior to obtaining FDA approval, the European Union had already made the product available in 2015. Algovita is the result of more than five years of R&D efforts and millions of dollars worth of investments. Forecast Greatbatch’s acquisitions drive its medical division into a vertical integration, making the most of every new company to fulfill the corporation’s purposes.
Company Information NAME
Greatbatch Medical INDUSTRY
Medical device R&D and manufacturing HEADQUARTERS
Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico FOUNDED
1970 EMPLOYEES
3,000
Upcoming endeavors for Greatbatch Medical include brining more action to their Tijuana facilities, since the current manufacturing operation in Minnesota focused on the vascular specialty is being moved to the border city by mid-2016. The Uruguayan operation will also see an increase in activity after engaging a new and important client, which puts Greatbatch Uruguay in position to triple its profits from where it was in 2014.
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REVENUE
US $500 million WEBSITE
www.greatbatchmedical.com
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THE BIOTECH PHARMACEUTICAL FOR MEXICO AND THE REGION The leading company for biosimilars in Mexico and Latin America creates treatment for chronicdegenerative conditions
Written by: Mateo Rafael Tablado Produced by: Lucy Verde Interviewee: Mtra. Sandra Sรกnchez-Oldenhage, CEO for PROBIOMED, S.A. de C.V..
P R O B I O M E D , S . A . D E C . V.
P PROBIOMED has
ROBIOMED is Mexico’s leading biopharmaceutical company, investing in the biotechnology and biosimilar medical products fields and obtaining excellent results. PROBIOMED began selling APIs in 1970 before vertically integrating with first generic drugs and then biosimilar medical products. PROBIOMED is the only company in Mexico that develops from actual genes up to finished products. Its foreign market currently consists of 14 countries in four continents.
delivered results, proving its commitment to biotech developments able to help Mexico’s population
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The company’s purpose for developing medical products from biotechnology is to improve treatment of chronic-degenerative conditions such as cancer, RA, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, CKD, and other socially- and economicallyimpactful diseases. Jaime Uribe de la Mora is PROBIOMED’s founder and president; Uribe’s insight into the pharmaceutical industry has
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Key People
resulted in the company owning patents for 16 biosimilar medical products, with five more under development. PROBIOMED has been acknowledged in its field, earning multiple awards such as the First National Tech Prize in 1999 from then-President Ernesto Zedillo. In additional to earning awards for excellence from other organizations, the National Chamber of the Pharmaceutical Industry recognized PROBIOMED for its labor in the research field. “We’ve been recognized as the Mexican company bringing the most value to the entire population due to our affordable prescriptions and our contribution to technology innovation,” PROBIOMED CEO Sandra Sanchez-Oldenhage said.
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Mtra. Sandra SánchezOldenhage CEO for PROBIOMED, S.A. de C.V. Sánchez earned an MBA in business management from the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education (ITESM). She also attended courses at Harvard, Cambridge and Washington University through the International Women’s Forum (IWF) “On The Board” program. During her 29-year career in the industry, Sánchez has held different positions both in her country, the LATAM region and in Asian and Canadian markets. Sanchez has had roles as regional manager, sales director, LATAM CEO, and strategic planning for companies such as Pfizer, Pharmacia, Merck, Searle and Amgen. 81
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Jaime Uribe Wiechers, Biotechnology Director at PROBIOMED; Jaime Uribe de la Mora, Founder and President of PROBIOMED; Francisco Uribe Wiechers, Director for High-specialty Business Unit at PROBIOMED
Sanchez has worked in the pharmaceutical industry for nearly 30 years. She has held key positions for global companies, leading operations in Latin America, the Caribbean, Canada and Asia. She welcomed PROBIOMED as a challenge to turn it into Mexico’s contribution to the world in biotech-derived medical products. Sanchez earned an MBA from the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education (ITESM) and other executive certifications. “I’ve had the opportunity to face different situations in the companies I’ve worked at, from starting a new company to restructuring mature operations, both in Mexico and internationally,” she said. 82
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Social and economic impact PROBIOMED’s production line is a complicated network of elements, including the Mexican health system’s priorities, economic and social impact, proven efficiency of reference drugs, and production complexity. The company is able to provide higher added value to society while reducing its competition, since PROBIOMED’s products require highly specialized processes. Offering biosimilar products at affordable prices translates into enabling health agencies to provide affordable treatment to a larger number of patients. For example, erythropoietin (used for treatment of anemia caused by CKD and chemotherapy patients) had a valid patent until 2001. Then, the Mexican health systems could only provide treatment for 3,500 patients due to the drug’s high costs, but once biosimilar products became available, its price was reduced by 90 percent between 2001 and 2007. This increased treatment availability to 80,000 patients, and saved the healthcare system a total of $398.3 million. “The social and economical impact from biosimilars is very strong. Being able to improve our health systems and patients’ budgets has earned us a strong reputation as one of Mexico’s most added-value manufacturing companies,” Sanchez said.
Key People
Jaime Uribe de la Mora Founder & President of PROBIOMED
PROBIOMED has delivered results, proving its commitment to biotech developments able to help Mexico’s population
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Creating Connected Solutions for Better Healthcare Performance
Technology Services
Information
IMS HEALTH a Global Leader in Information Technology and Services.
P R O B I O M E D , S . A . D E C . V.
L AT I N A M E R I C A
R&D and biotechnician training The company has partnered with multiple organizations not only to train biotechnicians, but also to propel biotech development within the country, since prior to these efforts, the few biotechnicians available in Mexico found better job opportunities abroad. PROBIOMED’S pioneering efforts include collaborations with the Autonomous University of the State of Morelos to create a masters program in industrial biotechnology, as well as with the Biotechnology Institute (located in Morelos, also) of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). Other academic partnerships in the R&D area include the National Polytechnic Institute (IPN), the Ministry of Economy and other organizations.
The R&D department at PROBIOMED is recipient for important investments
SUPPLIER PROFILE IMS Health is the leading company in Mexico and the world that provides technology audits, and consulting services for the Latin America Sector; providing integrated solutions with actionable information, in applications and next-generation technology platforms. Among our customers, in Mexico and in more than 100 countries, pharmaceutical companies, manufacturers of products for the care of Latin America, important public and private partnerships in the segment and the national government; allowing us to obtain a complete and unique experience in Latin America Sector. IMS Health in Mexico began operations in 1972 and has since established itself as a leader in Latin America, with leading technology, large databases and extensive knowledge about distribution, sales of medicines and products for Latin America, conditions and promotional investment.
Website: www.imshealth.com/es_MX
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“Our investments in R&D top every other company’s, as 20 to 23 percent of our revenue is earmarked for this purpose,” the CEO explained. Formula and procedure improvements
The most experimented biotech professionals and trainees enter PROBIOMED’s facilities every day with the same purpose: benefit patients on treatment for chronicdegenerative conditions 86
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Technology in PROBIOMED is a resource to upgrade procedures leading to obtain and improve formulas. Biotech includes procedures of genetic engineering, molecular and cell biology, cell counting, particle segregation, particle measurement, and others, performed with specialized equipment. “We have worked thoroughly in Mexico and abroad with different institutions with the goal of developing our own tech resources, hence we
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PROBIOMED’s Biotech plant is located in Tenancingo, Mexico, which has earned awards from the State Government
work with our proprietary technology platform,” Sánchez said. Suppliers: relationships based on compliance Pharmaceuticals demand high standards, which are enforced with vendors by the company. PROBIOMED’S supplier evaluation standards include:
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“We have a complete certifying process for our suppliers, each of which is specific to the supplied product or service,” the executive explained. HR Development Talent detection is not an afterthought at PROBIOMED. The company pushes all of its staff members to developing and reaching their highest potentials. PROBIOMED’s investments in HRM are defined in three areas: · Institutional development · Human development · Skill development
SUPPLIER PROFILE
Servicio principal: Por medio de productos y servicios innovadores, EMC acelera el viaje al cómputo en la nube, ya que ayuda a los departamentos de TI a almacenar, administrar, proteger y analizar su recurso más valioso, la información, de una manera más ágil, confiable y rentable.
Website: www.emc.com |
@EMCMX
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“Biotech medicine
will keep growing, it’s the promise of
personalized
medicine” – Sandra SánchezOldenhage, CEO for PROBIOMED
Use of advanced equipment and devices demands constant training with the latestgeneration technology. PROBIOMED partners with different institutions to provide advanced training; consequently, PROBIOMED offers a trainee program, which functioned as the company’s first contact with a group of now senior staff members. “We invest to develop better specialists and also to develop better individuals,” Sánchez said. Medical products where most needed PROBIOMED already exports its valuable products globally. This fulfills obvious business goals, but perhaps more importantly, it also makes products available in emerging economies, treating the most possible patients at a low cost. Third-world countries are some of the most in need of the company’s biosimilar medical products. Part of PROBIOMED’s portfolio is currently available in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Dominican Republic, Bolivia and Paraguay. Work is underway to get some of these products to Colombia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Chile and Ecuador as well. Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Pakistan and Argelia already benefit from the company’s biosimilar drugs, while Eastern Europe and other Asian and African countries are on
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PROBIOMED’s radar. “We are looking forward to expand our presence into countries where our low-cost products create a difference,” the CEO said.
Company Information NAME
PROBIOMED, S.A. de C.V.
Clear, sequenced goals INDUSTRY
PROBIOMED has established four key priorities for the short term:
• Become compliant with new regulations for biosimilars • Expand sales and international presence ·Increase sales figures and patients under treatment in Mexico • Continue with biosimilar medical products R&D, focused on chronic and degenerative conditions
Pharmaceutics, biotech, biosimilar medical products HEADQUARTERS
México, Distrito Federal, México FOUNDED
1970 EMPLOYEES
“We have five of our own drugs under development and other licensed products to launch in upcoming years. These developments are focused on therapeutic aid, mainly for oncology and rheumatoid arthritis,” Sánchez said.
1,400+ REVENUE
US $100 million est. WEBSITE
www.probiomed.com.mx
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