A talk radio forum focusing on biotechnology, nanobiotechnology, pharma, and biomedicine

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Wednesday, 10/15/03, 1PM to 2PM Pacific Time

Listen to . . . Dr. Ivor Elrifi
Ivor Elrifi, Ph.D., LL.B. is co-chair of the Intellectual Property Section at Mintz Levin. He also is a member of the Policy Committee. Today Ivor advises biotechnology, life sciences, and medical device companies; research institutions; universities; hospitals; and governments throughout the world. He works with clients in several European countries, including Ireland, the U.K., Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland. Ivor assists clients in developing and implementing worldwide patent strategies and in the prosecution and licensing of patents themselves. He currently is advising a number of leading genomics and proteomics companies located inside and outside the U.S. Ivor also becomes involved in transactional work for clients. He assists in conducting due diligence investigations with respect to investments, mergers, and acquisitions. Ivor has recently lectured at Brown University, Harvard Medical School, and the Center for Gene Therapy and Surgical Research, Switzerland. He has also spoken at numerous international conferences, and has written articles for leading legal and scientific publications. He was a prominent panelist at the BIO2000 world conference held in the U.S. Before joining Mintz Levin, Ivor was associated with the intellectual property law firm of Fish & Neave in New York.

Listen to . . . Mr. Howard Asher
Mr. Howard Asher, Sun’s Group Director of Global Life & Health Sciences, graciously returns to BioTech Today to continue last week's conversation. Howard began his career in life sciences in 1969 with Pfizer. He continued his marketing, sales, and product development work with Baxter and Bayer until 1979. Late in 1979 Howard founded Advanced Bioresearch Associates (ABA) which grew to be a premier life sciences-FDA regulatory affairs consulting firm. ABA strategically focused to make business sense of developing medical products in a heavily regulated environment. Howard served as President, CEO, and Chairman of ABA for 20 years, securing regulatory approval for hundreds of medical products, including drugs, biotherapeutics, medical devices, and in-vitro diagnostics. Howard has utilized his 24 years as successful CEO by participating on many boards over the years, including BIOCOM, a leading life sciences industrial association; UCSD Life Sciences Regulatory Affairs Advisory Board; and Quorex Pharmaceuticals. In 1996 he led the formation and played a significant role in designing the world’s first Master in Regulatory Affairs (MRA) degree program with the U.S. FDA and California State University. Howard brings his extensive IT and life sciences industrial expertise, combined with his leadership skills and regulatory affairs experience, to guide Sun to become the global leader as IT converges into the global life science and healthcare community.

Listen to . . . Dr. David Rollo
Dr. David Rollo is chief medical officer for nuclear medicine at Philips Medical Systems, a leader in the field of molecular imaging. Philips Medical Systems is developing next-generation PET as well as single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) systems that meet the unique requirements of molecular imaging. Targeted cells are simultaneously imaged with both nuclear cameras and a high resolution CT system. The combined images, referred to as fused images, allow physicians to accurately define the locations of target cells. Although imaging currently focuses on anatomy and morphology, imaging modalities will soon be required to provide information on the molecular processes involved. Another requirement of molecular imaging is to provide quantitative information, such as the aggressiveness of a tumor or the functionality of an organ such as the heart. This requires software algorithms to process and analyze the metabolic or physiologic uptake of imaging agents by target cells. Ongoing development within Philips includes systems that combine a nuclear camera with both a CT system and unique acquisition and processing computers. These complex systems provide physicians with clinical information that both characterizes disease and suggests the most appropriate treatment options for each patient. Philips Medical Systems, a global leader in the growing medical device and diagnostic industry, is committed to providing innovative technology and services that enable healthcare providers to achieve clinical excellence without compromise.