February 21, 2012 ·
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Industry Insights from Paul Meade, M. Sc., MPH
While the Mayans might have been good at developing a cosmic calendar with 27,000-year cycles, I will try to venture only one or two years out and predict some developments within the healthcare system.
I dare say the Mayans had great foresight about changes, even if they never invented the wheel, but clearly they missed the fact that 2012 was an election year in the United States, and that predicting change became no mean task with orders of magnitude of difficulty. Nonetheless, I will attempt to gaze into my crystal ball and give my predictions for the next little while.
The promise of personalized medicine has been swirling around in the minds of brilliant people for well over a decade now, but we are patiently awaiting the results to impact our daily lives. Throughout the past 10-15 years, advances in the personalized medicine field have been somewhat slow to appear on the landscape. We should not be too discouraged by this advancing timeline, since we are still waiting for a cure for cancer after many decades of highly-funded research. Yet, each day, scientists are discovering more and more biomarkers with the potential to move us closer the reality of personalized medicine.
These biomarkers are not only predicting diseases—they are identifying companion diagnostics, indicating response levels to ... read more »
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Accountable Care Organizations biomarkers biotechnology companion diagnostics healthcare healthcare delivery Healthcare Professionals medicine Paul Meade personalized medicine pharmaceuticals predictive medicine public health research and development Thought Leader Select US healthcare reform US healthcare system
February 16, 2012 ·
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Thought Leader Select, a Chapel Hill, North Carolina-based research and consulting firm for the biopharmaceutical and healthcare industries, announces the commencement of a key opinion leader assessment for a top five global pharmaceutical company.
For the assessment, Thought Leader Select will use its proprietary identification methodology to pinpoint 40 Canadian key opinion leaders in oncology, with sub-specialty in the area of skin cancer. The company will study the skills and experience of Canadian oncologists in several areas of thought leadership in the medical field, including areas of expertise, leadership in basic and clinical research, and research publishing in leading scientific journals.
The client company will utilize Thought Leader Select’s research to engage key opinion leaders in oncology on a number of fronts, including advisory boards, consulting, and medical science liaison outreach.
“We are excited about this opportunity to support a great company as they prepare to enter the Canadian market with a new medicine that will improve the lives of patients suffering from skin cancer,” stated Neil Mellor, Thought Leader Select’s global business development consultant. “Our position in the advancement of this new treatment is critical, since our work ensures that the company will be reaching out to the right physicians during the company’s earliest phase of assisting in the treatment of patients in this disease area.”
About Neil Mellor
Neil Mellor is ... read more »
TAGS: basic research biopharmaceutical industry Canadian key opinion leaders clinical research healthcare key opinion leader assessment KOL engagement KOL identification KOLs medical research medical science liaisons medicine MSLs Neil Mellor oncologists Oncology pharmaceuticals physician public health publishing scientific advisory boards scientific journals skin cancer therapeutic area Thought Leader Select
February 2, 2012 ·
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New Press Release from the Offices of Thought Leader Select
February 2, 2012 (Chapel Hill, NC) Thought Leader Select is pleased to announce a pair of key opinion leader (KOL) identification and profiling projects to support the development pipeline of a leading pharmaceutical client focused in the therapeutic area of gastroenterology.
In the first research assessment, Thought Leader Select will identify and profile leading medical experts in the treatment of patients suffering from non-cancer-related chronic pain. The company will identify the leading pain experts throughout the United States by examining the skills and experiences of physicians in multiple disciplines and specialties, including gastroenterologists, primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants.
For the second research assessment, Thought Leader Select will identify and profile 100 key opinion leaders in colorectal surgery, as well as 125 KOLs in gastroenterology. The cumulative group of 225 physician thought leaders will share vast experience in research and treatment of fecal incontinence.
Thought Leader Select will use its validated, objective deep profiling methodology to assess the skills and experience of the thought leaders chronic pain, colorectal surgery, and gastroenterology in multiple research categories, including their areas of expertise, medical/scientific journal publishing history, and participation in basic and clinical research. The company’s research group is comprised of subject-matter experts in medicine, with decades of experience working in ... read more »
TAGS: basic and clinical research chronic pain clinical research colorectal surgery deep-profiling drug development pipeline gastroenterology key opinion leaders KOL late-stage clinical trials medical experts medical research medicine nurse practitioners patient treatment Paul Meade pharmaceuticals physician assistants physicians primary care physicians publishing scientific advisory boards scientific journals therapeutic area Thought Leader Select thought leaders
January 12, 2012 ·
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By Brian Castle and Kristen Smithwick
When most people think about thought leaders in medicine, specialists in oncology, neurology, rheumatology and other therapeutic areas immediately come to mind. However, with the proliferation of illnesses and conditions ranging from diabetes and obesity to asthma, gastrointestinal diseases and psychiatric disorders, key opinion leaders in primary care and allied health professions are more important than ever.
In addition to the growing incidence of several “lifestyle” conditions, the structure of U.S. healthcare dictates that people suffering in these areas see their primary care physicians (PCPs), nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and pharmacists with much greater frequency than their specialists. As a result, more PCPs and allied health professionals are joining their specialist colleagues in all of the critical areas that define thought leadership, including publishing, basic and clinical research, clinical practice, speaking, and advocacy involvement.
Thought Leader Select has conducted multiple assessments of thought leader populations in a variety of therapeutic areas, with particular attention to the impact of PCPs, also known as general practitioners, in areas of treatment as diverse as diabetes, allergies, infectious disease, and gastrointestinal conditions. Primary care physicians, along with their nurse practitioner (NP), physician assistant (PA), and registered nurse colleagues, consistently distinguish themselves in many of the traditional areas of thought leadership once assumed to be the domain of specialists and sub-specialists.
Leaders ... read more » TAGS: allergies allied health professions. asthma clinical practice clinical research co-investigator community disease awareness events diabetes disease task force diseases gastrointestinal grand rounds HCPs Hepatitis C hepatology HIV illnesses indigent populations infectious disease irritable bowel syndrome key opinion leaders lifestyle conditions lobbying medical conferences medical congresses medical research National Cancer Institute NCI neurology nurse practitioners obesity Oncology patient advocacy patient support PCPs pharmacists physician assistants physicians primary care psychiatric registered nurses rheumatology support groups Thought Leader Select thought leaders thought leadership US healthcare
December 22, 2011 ·
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Clients and Friends,
After another successful year, we wish you a holiday season filled with joy and fun times with family and friends.
The month of December causes many to reflect on the successes and challenges they have experienced throughout the year, and we’re no different. In any business, you win some and you lose some, but we find ourselves very thankful for all of the new friends we’ve made this year and the times we’ve shared with old friends, too.
Our work remains more fulfilling than ever, even with the constant ratcheting of regulation and legislation in the industry we serve. This increasing scrutiny demands that we bring our “A game,” keeping our clients ethical and compliant in all that they do with thought leaders and centers of excellence.
We hope all of you, as you take time to reflect this year, have as many reasons to be thankful as we do. We are grateful for your business, your friendships, and your continued faith in us.
Happy Holidays from all of us at Thought Leader Select.
TAGS: centers of excellence compliance healthcare legislation healthcare reform healthcare regulations Holidays key opinion leaders medical ethics Thought Leader Select thought leaders
December 6, 2011 ·
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Industry Insights from Paul Meade, M. Sc, MPH
For every transaction over ten dollars paid to a physician by a pharmaceutical manufacturer, the Physician Payments Sunshine Provision demands disclosure to a database that will be made public in 2013.
Notwithstanding the absurdity of collecting such an enormous amount of information, someone will undoubtedly spend a lot of time sifting through this data to create lists of “worst offenders.” These lists will be publically promulgated with the sole purpose of bestowing shame on these so-called “offenders.”
Of course, these lists may be perceived as tantamount to publishing a list of child molesters moving into a new neighborhood, or those people charged with driving under the influence of alcohol over the weekend listed in the Monday newspaper. Some of the most brilliant and renowned physicians in this country will be brought to shame for consulting with some manufacturers.
So, how bad can it get? Well, let’s imagine the following scenario, which I refer to as Grinding to a Halt. Leaders in the medical community who are respected for their research and experience may become so concerned about being publically exposed for consulting with various manufacturers that they may decide to cease all interactions going forward.
There will be no more advising pharmaceutical companies about the unmet medical needs for new molecules discovered in their research laboratories. There ... read more »
TAGS: academic medical centers capitation centers of excellence clinical studies CME continuing medical education drug compounds drug manufacturers healthcare reform medical community medical conferences pharmaceuticals Physician Payments Sunshine Provision physicians research laboratories Sunshine Act
December 2, 2011 ·
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Thought Leader Select is pleased to announce a series of key opinion leader (KOL) identification and profiling projects to support multiple therapeutic areas for a top five global biopharmaceutical company.
In these research assessments, Thought Leader Select will identify and profile leading medical experts in neurology and oncology to support drug development initiatives in various cancers and neurological disorders. The oncologists and neurologists will represent many of the leading physicians at top medical centers of excellence throughout Canada.
Thought Leader Select will use its validated, objective deep profiling methodology to assess the skills and experience of the thought leaders in oncology and neurology in multiple research categories, including their areas of expertise, medical/scientific journal publishing history, and participation in basic and clinical research. The company’s research group is comprised of subject-matter experts in medicine, with decades of experience working in medical research and clinical settings in the United States, Canada, Australia, and Africa.
The project will yield over 100 physicians who may advise the company on its development efforts in the treatment of cancers and neurological diseases. Typically, key opinion leaders serve on scientific advisory boards and participate in late-stage clinical trials to monitor the effectiveness of new drugs in larger patient populations.
“We are honored that this company has chosen to partner with us again to use effective solutions to identify ... read more »
TAGS: basic research biopharmaceutical cancer treatment cancers clinical research clinical trials deep-profiling doctors drug development key opinion leaders KOL identification KOL profiling late-stage clinical trials medical experts medical journals medical research medicine neurological disorders neurology oncologists Oncology patient populations pharmaceuticals physicians prescription drugs scientific journals therapeutic areas Thought Leader Select thought leaders
October 28, 2011 ·
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Company News
Thought Leader Select is pleased to announce a pair of projects in support of a top 10 global biopharmaceutical company as it seeks to develop a portfolio of medicines in women’s health.
For the assessments, Thought Leader Select will study key opinion leaders and medical centers of excellence in the treatment of cancers affecting the gynecological health of women, specifically ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, and uterine cancer. In the first assessment, the company will identify and profile Canadian oncologists with vast expertise in research and treatment of these cancers affecting women. In the second assessment, Thought Leader Select will identify and profile Canadian medical centers with specialized infrastructures for research and treatment in these disease areas.
“We are very proud to begin this critical work supporting pharmaceutical development in the area of women’s health,” stated Neil Mellor, Thought Leader Select’s global business development consultant. “This client is an established leader in developing medicines for the treatment of various forms of cancer, and we appreciate the opportunity to help them partner with the right key opinion leaders and centers of excellence in women’s health and oncology, to ultimately help patients suffering from these cancers.”
TAGS: biopharmaceutical companies cancers affecting women centers of excellence identification centers of excellence profiling cervical cancer clinical research doctors gynecology key opinion leaders KOL identification KOL profiling KOLs medical centers of excellence medical experts medicine oncologists Oncology ovarian cancer patients pharmaceutiucals physicians Thought Leader Select thought leaders uterine cancer women's health
October 21, 2011 ·
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Company News
Thought Leader Select announces the delivery of a multi-specialty key opinion leader assessment in aging. The firm, based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, was retained by a top 10 global pharmaceutical company to assess the skills and experiences of physicians specializing in the treatment of the following diseases and conditions that primarily affect the over-65 population:
• Chronic Pain
• Osteoarthritis
• Alzheimer’s Disease
• Parkinson’s Disease
The company will be collaborating with a host of medical experts to gain further development of a portfolio of new medicines in these areas. Thought Leader Select has identified key opinion leaders in each of these areas in order to reach a roster of 100 U.S. key opinion leaders in diseases and conditions affecting the senior population.
“We are very pleased that this company has chosen to work with us on this fascinating project,” stated Neil Mellor, Thought Leader Select’s global business development consultant. “They chose us because they wanted to do two things—work with skilled physicians who have high quality, relevant experience in treating the aging population in the U.S., and they wanted to do that in the most compliant manner possible. Our validated, objective methodology, in-depth profiling, ensures that they will be working with the right physicians at the right times for the right reasons.”
TAGS: aging Alzheimer's disease biopharmaceutical company chronic pain in-depth KOL profiling key opinion leader assessment key opinion leaders KOLs medical ethics medical experts medicine Neil Mellor objective research osteoarthritis Parkinson's disease pharma compliance pharmaceuticals physicians scientific experts Thought Leader Select Thought Leader Select company news thought leaders
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