-- 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: CogenicsCriteria 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 InstituteSponsors 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