New Cutting Edge Information Report Says Pharmaceutical CI Departments Are Nearly 10 Years Old, on Average

| Source: Cutting Edge Information Cutting Edge Information

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC--(Marketwire - July 10, 2008) - A new study released by industry leader Cutting Edge Information finds that competitive intelligence departments have an average of 9.4 years under their belts. Some companies' CI groups are only two or three years old, while others are closer to 20 years old, the study finds. The study, "Pharmaceutical Competitive Intelligence: Expanding the Role and Reach of CI," highlights the relative youth of this department compared with long-standing, mammoth business units such as R&D (www.pharmacompetitiveintelligence.com).

Though most CI departments are still less than a decade old, pharmaceutical companies are making strides to maximize their value. For example, many companies are globally centralizing their CI groups to foster a more holistic view of the market. Centralization at the global level supplies CI leaders with the tools to make recommendations based on all of the company's brands, therapeutic areas and business units.

According Cutting Edge Information's research, although the CI function certainly has room for growth -- most departments still consist of fewer than 10 individuals -- it is well on its way to becoming a mature, influential department.

"A decade ago, the concept of having a fully dedicated CI department was a new idea," says David Richardson, lead author of the study. "Now, at many companies the CI function is a fully integrated function that plays a vital role in developing and executing market strategies."

The 116-page report examines CI team structures, phase-by-phase spending and staffing, and strategies for improvement. Compiled from surveys and interviews with executives at leading companies, the report enables CI teams to achieve success. It focuses on these topics: 

--  Structuring for Success - provides details on CI structures, including
    global-level reporting lines and placements; ways in which CI teams trumpet
    their successes and create CI cultures; and the career paths laid out to
    make CI teams breeding grounds for future pharma leaders
--  Resourcing for Growth - reveals CI department-level budgets and
    staffing; brand-level phase-by-phase spending and staffing; which groups
    fund CI; and how companies demonstrate ROI on CI
--  Increasing CI's Reach - Examines how companies communicate their
    strategic value to internal clients and the resources and tools for
    collecting CI

Contact Information: CONTACT INFORMATION: David Richardson 919-433-0216

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