New KOL Management Studies Provide Expert Recommendations From Cutting Edge Information Research Analysts

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC--(Marketwire - February 17, 2009) - Cutting Edge Information published two new key opinion leader management studies today that provide expert recommendations to guide pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device companies' key opinion leader management strategies.

The studies include comprehensive segmentation data and fair-market value compensation metrics for key opinion leaders across 20 therapeutic areas. Both provide strategic recommendations for companies' thought leader development teams to meet emerging challenges from:

--  The newly implemented PhRMA code
--  Changes in ACCME guidelines
--  Increased transparency around physician compensation
--  Academic institutions' policies against their faculty working with
    drug manufacturers
    

The first study, "Thought Leader Fair-Market Value: Compensation Benchmarks and Procedures" (http://www.ThoughtLeaderCompensation.com), provides thousands of fair-market value benchmarks detailing fees for a number of thought leader activities, including:

--  Promotional speeches
--  Educational speeches
--  Leading an advisory panel
--  Moderating an advisory panel
--  Participating in an advisory panel
--  Authoring a manuscript
--  Authoring an abstract
    

The study also features surveyed companies' strategies and processes for calculating fair-market value payments.

The second study, "Key Opinion Leaders: Relationship Management and Segmentation Data" (http://www.PharmaOpinionLeaders.com), provides detailed segmentation data to aid companies' thought leader targeting and recruitment efforts. The data include thought leader criteria, such as:

--  Years of experience
--  Number of publications per year
--  Number of speeches per year
--  Provider category
--  Geographic influence
--  Clinical research experience
--  Education level
--  Amount of annual advising service funding
--  Amount of annual grant funding
    

The study also provides tools for thought leader management strategic planning, resource allocation, and trend analysis affecting key opinion leader management.

"These two studies showcase the expertise that Cutting Edge Information has built over the years in thought leader strategic planning," said Elio Evangelista, research manager at Cutting Edge Information. "Our proven ability to provide insightful recommendations is sure to make this newly published research impactful to many drug manufacturers."

To download brochures of these reports, go to http://www.ThoughtLeaderCompensation.com and http://www.PharmaOpinionLeaders.com.

Contact Information: CONTACT INFORMATION: Elio Evangelista 919-433-0214 Jordan Stone 919-433-0376