Category: Medical Writing

The Buzz about BioCrowd

Posted on by Valentina Rosa
BioCrowd: the latest social networking site for bioscience professionals.

LinkedIn is a great way for professionals to network, especially with the “groups” feature of customizing specific interest groups for various industries. However, what if a LinkedIn type of social network existed only for your industry to increase productivity and networking in the right field? Welcome to BioCrowd; a new invitation-only networking site exclusively designed for professionals in the biology sciences world. Founders Clifford Mintz and Vincent Racaniello created BioCrowd to help bio professionals establish relationships in the industry, post jobs, and ultimately create an outlet to shape new ideas.

What do you think about the concept of BioCrowd? Bio specialists, will you be checking BioCrowd out? Let us know and comment below or tweet to us @TRA360! 

Canadian Drug Shortages Lead to Calls for Regulation

Posted on by Valentina Rosa
Canada is facing major drug shortages

In the pharmaceutical world, Canada is falling lower on the totem pole due to major drug shortages. RAPS (Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society) reports that the manufacturing plant that produces nearly 90% of all injectable drugs used in Canada, owned by Sandoz Canda, recently caught fire. These injectable drugs ranged from anesthetics to painkillers to antibiotics.

So, what now?

Canadians are calling for Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s help and to propose regulations targeted at mending these issues. Harper responded that Health Canada is working on solutions to fixing this crisis, including finding multiple sources for vital medication.

What is foreseen for Canada’s drug and pharmaceutical future? Will drug prices drastically increase due to this shortage of medications? How will the US be involved? Let us know your thoughts on this major issue that Canada is facing! 

The Bioscience Network Summer Social

Posted on by Valentina Rosa

Yesterday I attended my first meeting of the Bioscience Network at the Meadhall Restaurant in Cambridge MA. There were over 60 industry professional in attendance, some of which I had previously met. Interestingly enough, I connected with David Burton and Dan Broggi of db2/ARCHitecture, the designers of the building itself. It was nice to feel like I’ve started to develop friendships with some of the members of the BSN. Business cards and contact information is valuable, but face-to-face recognition can go much further in my opinion. Surprisingly, I was even approached by one member about a possible acquisition. Needless to say, this caught me off guard. I calmly gave off some contact information and jested, “everyone has their price.” I’m not holding my breath though- I’m more than happy with things just how they are.

I’m indebted to the Massachusetts Life Science Center for this unparallelled opportunity. Hopefully my internship can be extended with the year-long expansion of the program. I’ve learned so much in the past month and can’t wait to start rolling out even more of the big plans TRA360 has on the drawing board. More to come…

Massachusetts Life Science Center Internship Challenge Summer 2011 Launch Event

Posted on by Valentina Rosa
l to r: Ryan Collins (TRA360) and Ryan Mudawar (MLSC) at the Internship Challenge, Summer 2011 Launch Event
l to r: Ryan Connors  (TRA360) and Ryan Mudawar (MLSC)

 

Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending two important events representing TRA360 with Tim. The first was the Massachusetts Life Science Internship Challenge Summer 2011 Launch Event held at Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s Life Sciences & Bioengineering Center. It was a great event where all of the interns, their sponsors, and the brains behind the MLSC met for networking, learning and sharing of  information.

Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray gave a compelling  speech about the benefits of the program, which I can attest to. He   also announced the expansion of the program to be year-round, which is wonderful given the opportunities it offers bridging academia with the private sector, especially in these tough economic times.  Anyone who’s gone job hunting recently knows the importance of experience in the field and how a lack thereof can be crippling.

I also got some face time with the Dr. Susan Windham-Bannister, President & CEO of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center. Her dedication to the program is unparallelled. I enjoyed most of the discussions with various industry leaders such as Steve Kelly, CEO of Myomo (an inspiring and innovative company using robotics to help the handicapped regain mobility). Overall, I found the entire program to be worthwhile and exciting, and I valued getting to know some of my fellow interns and I hope to stay in touch with them.

Props to everyone who organized and attended the event.