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Volume 6, Issue 4 (Suppl) Clin Pharmacol Biopharm, an open access journal
ISSN: 2167-065X
Page 30
Euro Biopharma & Ethnopharmacology 2017
November 09-11, 2017
&
6th International Conference and Exhibition on
November 09-11, 2017 Vienna, Austria
4th EUROPEAN BIOPHARMA CONGRESS
PHARMACOLOGY AND ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
Joint Event
Biosimilars in the UK’s NHS: Attitudes, appetites and acceptance
Theo Christie
NIHR Clinical Research Network, UK
Is the NHS ready for the biosimilars boom? to most, biosimilars are a no-brainer. But as with anything new, there are early adopters
and sceptics. The NIHR CRN is an independent, government-funded organization which supports delivery of the majority of
clinical research in England - and with that comes unique insight. The NIHR CRN can report that attitudes, appetites and acceptance
in relation to biosimilars in the UK are changing. Despite being approximately ten years ahead of the US our approach and acceptance
of biosimilar drugs, in 2015 it came to light, some commercial trial sponsors were overlooking the UK as a destination for biosimilar
trials - claiming that the appetite for delivering these types of trials was low. The NIHR Clinical Research Network was drafted to
sharpen the UK’s competitive edge. In this presentation we will reveal why life science companies were overlooking the UK to deliver
their trials, and how these challenges are being overcome using the Clinical Research Network structure which is unique to the NHS
in England. Companies can now continue to place their biosimilar trial in UK with confidence and get ahead of the game when it
comes to study set-up, feasibility, and patient recruitment. This presentation will present a range of perspectives (via video clips)
which illustrate how the UK’s appetite, capacity and capabilities to deliver biosimilar clinical trials have developed in parallel with the
expansion of the biosimilars market. You will hear from those involved in conducting biosimilar trials - the clinicians, investigators
and nurses at the coal face of research delivery in the NHS. We’ve also captured the NHS Trust R&D viewpoint, along with some
thoughts from the NHS pharmacy team. The British Biosimilar Association offers up some interesting ideas, but probably the most
memorable perspective is that of the patient.
Biography
Divya Chadha Manek is the Head of Business Development (Commercial) for the NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN). Her role is to maintain strategic
relationships with global and UK life sciences companies and the Clinical Research Network. She also leads on ensuring that the Clinical Research Network
is abreast of new study delivery innovations to ensure that the organization is evolving to service life sciences industry requirements. With a degree in Clinical
Psychology and a Master’s in Clinical Research, she has worked with the Clinical Research Network for the past nine years. Her first role with the CRN was
delivering commercial contract clinical research within a National Health Service (NHS) hospital. Prior to her current role, she worked as the Industry Manager
within the Mental Health team, performance managing and maintaining oversight of the national mental health portfolio of studies. She has experience of clinical
research from a site level and from a national perspective in the UK. She is currently studying PhD in Dementia Care.
Theo Christie is a Business Development Manager (Commercial) for the NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN). Theo facilitates key discussions between industry
and the Clinical Research Network and is a point of contact for the life sciences companies engaging with the Clinical Research Network. Theo is able to provide
advice to companies on how they are able to tap into the Clinical Research Network study support services to ensure clinical studies are set up efficiently and
recruit to time and target. With a degree in Clinical Sciences, Theo has been with the Clinical Research Network for over four years. He previously worked within
the Research Delivery Directorate of the CRN, collaborating with the life sciences industry and national specialty groups across 10 therapeutic areas, providing
operational support through feasibility, set up and patient recruitment.
Theo Christie, Clin Pharmacol Biopharm 2017, 6:4(Suppl)
DOI: 10.4172/2167-065X-C1-025