Category Archives: Research

15Nov/18

See Who’s Soaring to the Cloud in Support of Quality and Compliance

Cloud, Latest, Research, Technology, , , , , , ,

Companies Are Taking a Cloud-First Approach

By: Daniel R. Matlis, President and Sandra K. Rodriguez, Market Analyst

Life-Science organizations have implemented on premise electronic Quality Management Systems (QMS) for decades to support regulatory requirements and replace paper-based processes. These systems were often implemented to mitigate regulatory findings and in response to the “Whack-a-Mole” relationship between Industry and Regulators.

WHACK A MOLE

As a result, many companies implemented “Paper on Glass”, simply duplicating existing paper quality processes in electronic QMS. This approach created an environment of a mixed bag of disparate eQMS installations throughout the enterprise that have high degrees of customization. Now, IT and quality teams are faced with the daunting challenge of upgrading, migrating, and validating outdated legacy on premise QMS systems.

However, based on Axendia’s primary research on the adoption of Cloud QMS in the Life-Science Industry, we quickly determined that companies large and small, are taking a different course and are soaring to the modern cloud.

Our latest Voice of the Customer Report highlights interviews with 10 industry executives and represents 3 innovative Cloud QMS vendors.  This comprehensive reports outlines:

  • Why Cloud is No Longer Taboo
  • Clouds Come in Many Shapes and Sizes – Not All Clouds are Created Equal
  • Executive Accounts of Cloud QMS
  • Why Life-Science Companies Are Moving to the Cloud
  • End-To-End Cloud QMS Capabilities
  • The Pros, Cons and Pitfalls to Avoid
  • Recommendations and Thoughts to Consider

You are welcome to download your complimentary preview here.

To request the full report, please contact: Axendia Research.

13Sep/18

Survey: Modeling and Simulation in Life-Sciences

Latest, Research, Technology, , ,
Tina Morrison, PhD, Deputy Director, Division of Applied Mechanics and Chair of FDA’s Modeling and Simulation Working Group recently presented initiatives underway at the agency to advance the use of Modeling and Simulation.
FDA routinely advises industry on using modeling and simulation to, for example:
  • Predict clinical outcomes
  • Inform clinical trial designs
  • Support evidence of effectiveness
  • Identify the most relevant patients to study
  • Predict product safety
Axendia would appreciate your input on a survey that focuses on the current use and perceived value of Modeling and Simulation in Life-Sciences.

The survey should take no longer than 10 minutes to complete and all individual responses will be kept strictly confidential.  You are also welcome to register to receive a copy of the survey outcome.
27Apr/18

Lot Size: YOU – When YOU are the RAW MATERIAL and the FINISHED PRODUCT

Business, Ethics, Latest, People, Regulatory, Research, Uncategorized

Managing the Chain of Custody and Identity for Regenerative Medicine Products.

By: Daniel R. Matlis, President

According to FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D.  “We’re at the beginning of a paradigm change in medicine with the promise of being able to facilitate regeneration of parts of the human body, where cells and tissues can be engineered to grow healthy, functional organs to replace diseased ones; new genes can be introduced into the body to combat disease; and adult stem cells can generate replacements for cells that are lost to injury or disease. This is no longer the stuff of science fiction. This is the practical promise of modern applications of regenerative medicine.”

The promise of individualized therapies is why the FDA is encouraging and supporting innovation in this field. To this end, the Agency has released a framework outlining how it intends to apply existing laws and regulations to oversee these products. FDA’s stated goal is to ensure that it is nimble and creative to foster innovation, while taking steps to protect the safety of patients.

In individualized patient-derived cellular gene therapy products, the patient is the raw material, product, and the treatment.  In gene therapy products, cells removed from the patient become the raw material.  They are then genetically modified and returned to the patient as the “finished product”.

Continue reading →

13Mar/18

Did We Predict the Future?

Latest, Research, Supply Chain, , , , , ,

Free White Paper: Balancing the Risks and Rewards of Globalization

By: Sandra K. Rodriguez, Market Analyst

Axendia conducted a research study assessing the opportunities and challenges of Globalization across the Med-Tech ecosystem.

We learned Med-Tech Executives were primary concerned with:

  • Complying with an increasingly complex regulatory environment
  • Ensuring the quality of products and raw materials across the globe
  • Maintaining consistent standards across an extended network of internal sites and external partners

Executives reported the TOP business threat is the changing regulatory environment (65%).

Considering that massive regulatory changes are impacting Med-Tech today, they were correct.  Recent guidance documents include:

  • ISO 13485:2016
  • ISO9001:2017
  • Unique Device Identifier (UDI)
  • EU MDR and EU IVDR
  • Real World Evidence (RWE) challenges

Also significant were risks associated with geopolitical unrest and natural disasters (43%). At the time of the survey, Japan’s earthquake and tsunami were fresh in the memories of industry executives.  More recently, Hurricane Maria quickly gained the attention of the FDA. Within 30 days of the storm making landfall in Puerto Rico, the agency identified 50 types of devices that it deemed critically important.  The agency indicated in a press release that it was particularly concerned about the potential shortage of blood-related devices.   Other current day geopolitical events affecting industry include Brexit, tensions on the Korean peninsula, and NAFTA re-negotiations that are far from being completed. Continue reading →

22Feb/18

New Research: Driving a Culture of Quality Within the Medical Device Ecosystem

Business, Latest, Quality, Research, Technology, , , , , , ,

Axendia conducted a study focusing on the medical device induCulture of Quality Infographicstry’s ability to build a “Culture of Innovation and Quality.” The goals of this research were to identify and analyze trends, requirements and initiatives organizations are undertaking to proactively manage products and platforms across the product lifecycle.

In support of the research, we surveyed 110 medical device professionals representing 59 medical device manufacturers from 12 countries, and engaged in one-on-one interviews and group discussions with industry thought leaders.

The research resulted in an e-Book: Driving a Culture of Quality Within the Medical Device Manufacturing Ecosystem.  In it, we discuss the value, challenges and opportunities of transitioning medical device companies from the current regulatory and compliance focus – to sustained, predictive practices that advance medical device quality and safety to achieve better patient outcomes.  We also reveal how the Industry is prioritizing investments in technology in support of quality initiatives.

See the Infographic to learn more.

Read the e-Book.