P4A Let's Talk Rare

P4A are joined by Xortx Therapeutics' CEO, Dr Allen Davidoff, as he discusses the journey from early development to potential launch for their novel therapy XRX-008 to treat patients with Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD).

Allen discusses the company vision for developing novel therapies for rare progressive kidney disorders, and tells us about the launch journey for their main therapeutic candidate for AKPKD. How they managed to complete enrolment for late phase study in record time by engaging with patients and advocacy groups early, to really understand the patient journey and how the disease affects their quality of life. This helped to shape the clinical trial design by truly putting the patients at the forefront of all decisions and to ensure they were involved at all stages of the process.

Bio: Dr. Allen W. Davidoff, Ph.D. (15 years drug development experience ), Currently President and CEO of XORTX Therapeutics Inc (2013- ), Formerly, Chief Scientific Officer, VP Product Development and co-founder of Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp (Trillium Therapeutics- TRIL: NASDAQ) (7 yrs). Prior to Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp., Senior Scientist and Head of Pharmacology at Cardiome Pharma Corp. Dr. Davidoff has 12 + years of therapeutic drug development experience with a focus on clinical and regulatory developmental affairs, in the US, Canada, Germany, Denmark, and India. Senior management and leadership experience includes pharmaceutical non-clinical and clinical R&D including 2 investigational new drug (“IND”) applications or supplemental IND’s, 2 phase I studies (4 multi-country), 7 phase II studies, and 1 NDA.

Dr Allen Davidoff: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allen-davidoff-9a80968/

XORTX Therapeutics

XORTX Therapeutics, Inc. is a drug based biotechnology company primarily focused on orphan disease indications which have aberrant purine metabolism and frequently high serum uric acid imbalance. Our focus on developing kidney therapies also includes therapeutics programs for large markets such as diabetic nephropathy and acute kidney injury associated with respiratory virus infections such as SARS-CoV-2.

We possess patents and patent applications that may include U.S. and international rights regarding the development of uric acid-lowering agents for the treatment of hypertension, insulin resistance, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and kidney injury.

XORTX Therapeutics: https://www.xortx.com/

In this episode of Let’s Talk Rare, as we commemorate World Rare Disease Day, Georgie and Owen are joined by Louise Fish and Dan Lewi to discuss all aspects surrounding rare diseases, from key challenges patients face in getting access to life-saving medicines, the clinical trial burden, EU pharmaceutical strategy and more.

The topics covered include: Why genetic screening of newborns in the UK lags behind the EU, funding rare disease research, clinical trial burden, patient registries, patient experience data and its relevance, revamping data sharing with families, and how pharma can involve patients earlier.

Louise Fish Bio:

Louise is a senior leader with over 25 years of executive and non-executive board experience in health and social care in charitable, public and commercial sectors. She is passionate about improving the NHS and social care services by listening to and learning from the experiences of patients and their families. She has a strong understanding of how to drive change.

Dan Lewi Bio:

Dan is the Chief Executive and co-founder of the only Tay-Sachs and Sandhoff disease-specific charity in the UK called The Cure & Action for Tay-Sachs (CATS) Foundation. Selected and appointed as the Chairman of the European Tay-Sachs and Sandhoff Charity Consortium (ETSCC), which has brought together all the Tay-Sachs and Sandhoff charities in Europe.

The P4A team have hand-picked trends to look out for in 2023. This episode we are joined by special guest Neil Grubert who will be discussing the topics in further detail, alongside our P4A experts, Shrishti & Jodie.

The topics covered are: EU Pharmaceutical Strategy, OMP Legislation, Joint HTA Assessments - cross-country HTA cooperation, Expansion of CAR-T & Hospital Exemptions across Europe and finally the Patient - Putting patients at the forefront of drug developers.

Neil Grubert Bio: 

Neil has worked in Industry for over 20 years starting at Decision Resources as a researcher in 1997 and leaving as Vice President of Global Market Access Insights in 2013. Currently he is an independent MA consultant and has been doing this for the last 8 years.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neil-grubert/

Hosts: Georgie Rack & Owen Bryant

P4A Speakers: Srishti Gupta, Senior Consultant & Jodie Lyons, Analyst

Produced by: Operations

Did you miss the World Orphan Drug Congress Europe 2022, held in Sitges, Barcelona in November? If you did, don't worry P4A have you covered!

This month's special  podcast was part recorded live at the conference and part recorded back in London with members of the team that attended! We will be speaking to a few presenters & sponsors to discuss their presentations, key learnings and their personal highlights from the conference. Also the P4A team will be talking about our favourite sessions and the key takeaways from the conference.

Special thanks to our guests for their insights and learnings throughout the podcast.

Presenters: Georgie Rack & Owen Bryant

Guests:

Alexander Natz, Secretary General at EUCOPE - https://www.eucope.org/

Leon van Wouwe, Clinical Innovation Director at VOLV Global https://www.volv.global/

Wing-yun Cheung, General Manager at Terrapinn & organiser of WODC EU - https://www.terrapinn.com/conference/world-orphan-drug-congress/index.stm

Chloe Sheppard, Consultant at P4A

Joanna Fernandes, Senior Consultant at P4A

This month we have a special 2-part series focused on Patient Empowerment, with special guests Laurence Woollard, On the Pulse, Neil Bertelsen, Independent Consultant & Sophie Schmitz, Managing Partner at P4A. This podcast is a MUST to listen too if you are a company looking to successfully develop and commercialize an orphan drug or ATMP

The first part will focus on how do we ensure there is genuine patient involvement at all stages of drug development? What are the challenges and barriers for patients living with a rare disease vs drug developers within the rare/ultra-rare sphere?

The second part will solely focus on the WHY! Why should drug manufacturers, payors, regulators and HTA bodies involve and listen to the patients? What do they bring to the table? We will also dive into the implications of not including the patient voice and use examples of companies that have successfully managed to do this and the benefits of doing so.

Laurence Woollard, Owner On The Pulse

Laurence Woollard is founder and director of On The Pulse – an independent, strategic consultancy providing specialist insight to global healthcare providers and multi-agencies on the development and rollout of patient activation campaigns in haemophilia and rare disease. Laurence has extensive patient advocacy experience, having advised on and implemented a broad scope of community awareness, research and educational initiatives for commercial partners and third-sector organisations. 

Neil Bertelsen, Independent Consultant

Neil Bertelsen is an independent consultant and patient advocate with over 25 years of experience bringing the patient voice to health care decision makers and communicating the science of health care to patients in a way that truly informs their own personal health choices. Neil is passionate about bringing the patient experience and perspectives to decision-makers including industry and health technology assessment (HTA) bodies. Neil is the past chair of HTAi (the global scientific society of HTA) Patient and Citizen Involvement Interest Group. This is an international multi-stakeholder group whose remit is to work alongside HTA organizations and patient organizations to bring patient involvement processes and patient insights and experiences into access decision making processes.

Sophie Schmitz, Managing Partner P4A

Sophie is managing partner at Partners4Access(P4A),an award winning global consultancy focused on access for orphan drugs & ATMPS. P4A support the biotechnology & pharma industry along their launch journey to help secure successful price, reimbursement and access for orphan drugs & ATMPs. The company has solid partnerships with clients supporting their strategy & operations to effectively launch success. 

This month we have put together a slightly different episode with a twist. Georgie & Owen will take you behind the scenes at P4A and discuss 'What makes P4A an award-winning global market access consultancy?' Why we do what we do every day, and what it means to each and every member of staff. Pride, Passion & Partnership are the core values at P4A, and we take a closer look into each one. Later in the show we have a very special announcement from our Managing Partner, Sophie Schmitz.

Host: Georgie Rack, Communication Executive & Owen Bryant, Creative Director

Produced By: Operations

Awards P4A have won in 2022 (so far!) - https://partners4access.com/about/awards/

1. BOBI Awards 2022 - Analyst Team of the Year

Link: https://www.bhbia.org.uk/bobi-awards/award-winners/bobi-2022

2. Benelux Enterprise Awards 2022- Best Orphan Drug & Gene Therapy Experts

Link: https://www.eubusinessnews.com/awards/benelux-business-awards/#ourwinners

3. International Life Science Awards 2022 - Best Cell & Gene Therapy Global Market Access Consultancy

Link: https://www.ghp-news.com/awards/international-life-sciences-awards/

4. Healthcare & Pharmaceutical Awards 2022 - Leading Experts in Orphan Drug & Gene Therapy Access

Link: https://www.ghp-news.com/awards/healthcare-pharmaceuticals-awards/

Over the last few years, the Middle East has piqued the interest of orphan drug manufacturers, and some have prioritised launching in this region before European markets. Akshay Kumar and Lavni Varyani discuss what is driving this behaviour, the orphan drug infrastructure within the region, and opportunities, barriers, and key considerations for manufacturers aiming to launch in the Middle East.

Presenter: Akshay Kumar, Partner, P4A

Contributor: Lavni Varyani, Founder, Pharma Business Partners

Producer: Operations team

For this Rare Disease Day episode, Janet and Nick discuss a range of topics associated with the rare disease community and patient advocacy. They address new-born screening, patient registries, the UK rare disease framework, the NICE methods review and much more!

Presenter: Georgie Rack, Communication Executive

Contributors: Janet Bloor, CEO of Duchenne Nexus Advocacy (DNA) and Nick Meade, Director of Policy and Joint Interim Chief Executive of Genetic Alliance UK

Producer: Operations team

Lots of anticipated changes are expected in the orphan drug, cell and gene therapy space and 2022 is going to be an exciting year. Listen to our latest podcast on the top trends in drug development, HTA and pricing from Akshay Kumar and Andrea Bernardini to help you navigate the year ahead.

Presenter: Georgie Rack

Speakers: Akshay Kumar & Andrea Bernardini

Produced by: Ops team

Sophie Schmitz and Joanna Fernandes discuss bluebird bio’s innovative gene therapy Zynteglo and its withdrawal from the European market. Sophie and Joanna will be looking at the fall of Zynteglo from two sides: from a company perspective and from the perspective of the EU environment.

Presenter: Georgie Rack, Communication Executive

Contributors: Sophie Schmitz, Managing Partner and Joanna Fernandes, Senior Consultant

Producer: Operations team

This episode featuring James Mackay, President & CEO of Aristea Therapeutics. James provides insights on his experience with setting up a biotech and challenges associated, industry climate on spin off opportunities, Aristea’s pipeline, collaborations and US PRMA reforms.

Presenter: Aparna Krishnan

Contributors: James Mackay, President & CEO of Aristea Therapeutics

Producer: Operations team

About Aristea Therapeutics, a San Diego-based clinical-stage immunology-focused drug development company developing novel therapies for serious, rare inflammatory diseases.

In this episode P4A’s Richard Wang and Adama Anozie discuss Hospital Exemption (HE) which is an emerging access pathway for Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs). Main topics of discussion include the benefits and potential downsides associated with this pathway, the EU regulations involving HE and recent events in Italy, Spain and France, as well as the implications of HE on the traditional pharma model, the need for collaboration between big pharma and hospitals/institutions to develop HE therapies and much more!

Presenter: Richard Wang

Contributor: Adama Anozie

Producer: Operations Team

In this episode P4A’s Senior Client Relationship Director, Bruce Chin discusses his experiences from the in person World Orphan Drug Congress USA 2021. Topics of discussion included travel and safety precautions due to COVID, Bruce’s favourite sessions, key learnings from the sessions, and much more!

Presenter: Georgie Rack

Contributor: Bruce Chin

Producer: Operations Team

In this episode Akshay Kumar and Richard Wang discuss how through innovative technology, decentralised clinical trials came to the limelight, facilitating remote access and ensuring continued operation of clinical trials. In addition, we discuss the future of decentralised clinical trials in a post-COVID world, its implications and demands within the industry.

Presenter: Akshay Kumar

Contributors: Richard Wang

Producer: Operations Team

In this episode, the P4A team take a deep dive into the Brazilian pharmaceutical market and discuss its potential for access to orphan drugs, cell and gene therapies. The overall Latin American pharma market is forecast to grow by 9% per year through to year 2028. However, major markets in this region such as Brazil have some major barriers to access. Listen in to learn more. 

Presenter and Contributor: Ciaran Cassidy

Producer: Aparna Krishnan

Its almost six months since President Joe Biden came to office but the role of the head of the country's key drug regulator, the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) is yet to be filled. In this episode, the P4A discusses the absence of a USFDA commissioner and its impact. Also, we understand the significance of recent remarks of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) director Peter Marks on the need for consistency in the manufacture of cell and gene therapies. 

Presenter and Contributor: Max Rex

Producer: Aparna Krishnan

In this month's episode, the P4A team take a deep dive into the impact of Brexit on the UK's market access landscape. Four months after leaving the European Union, the UK's attractiveness as a key destination for commercialisation of new drugs is being tested. In order to improve its credentials, the UK is exploring a slew of measures that could potentially spark a reform. 

But will that happen? P4A's Joanna Fernandes and Jayne Watson consider two distinct initiatives - MHRA's (Medicines Healthcare Regulatory Agency's) new I-LAP (Innovative Licensing and Access Pathway) scheme and England's HTA body NICE's (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence's) method review. 

Presenter and Contributor: Joanna Fernandes

Other contributors: Jayne Watson

Producer: Aparna Krishnan

The world of orphan drugs is at the cusp of a transformation in the post COVID era. In this episode, the team discuss the impact of the pandemic on value demonstration of orphan drugs. In order to be successful, manufacturers of precision medicine will need to focus on carving out a niche for their drugs and support health systems to find the right patient for their treatment at the right time. 

The team also explore the role of digital tools such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and telemedicine in helping drugmakers optimise manufacturing and treatment delivery. This combined with a multi-stakeholder approach will provide the recipe for success for next generation`niche-busters'.

Presenter and Contributor : Akshay Kumar

Other contributors: Richard Wang, Andrea Bernardini and Erfan Akbraian

Producer: Aparna Krishnan

In this episode, the P4A team discussed the impact of cost-containment measures in Germany, the European Commission's recent move to revise legislation on orphan medicinal products and potential legislative reforms in the US under the new Biden administration. 

Presenter: Jens Leutloff

Contributors: Chloe Sheppard, Max Rex

Producer: Aparna Krishnan

In this Rare Disease Day special episode, we focus on the impact of COVID -19 on rare disease patients. Some of the key challenges for patients during this pandemic include disruption in their access to treatments, struggle to continue participation in clinical trials, lack of access to vital equipment such as PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and also to healthcare personnel. We speak to Genetic Alliance chief executive officer Jayne Spink, patient Nicola Whitehill and Danielle Myers, mother and carer of patient 10 year old Dylan Myers.

Presenter: Aparna Krishnan

Contributors: Jayne Spink, Nicola Whitehill and Danielle Myers

Producer: Aparna Krishnan

More information on :

Genetic Alliance can be found at https://geneticalliance.org.uk/

Nicola Whitehill's blog: https://blog.raynaudsscleroderma.co.uk/2017/04/scleroderma-raynauds-rare-disease.html?m=1 

Dylan Myers' story: https://m.facebook.com/dylansstory/  and https://www.treeofhope.org.uk/dylansstory/

In this episode,  the P4A team review all the key events of the year 2020 in the orphan drug, cell and gene therapy world. The emergence of COVID-19 pandemic has caused disruption but also opportunities for the biotech industry. From  change in regulations, new stakeholder collaborations to impact of Brexit and US drug pricing reforms,  a full round up of 2020. So do listen in!

Presenter and Contributors: Sophie Schmitz  and Akshay Kumar

Producer: Aparna Krishnan

As 2019 winds down, P4A's Sophie Schmitz and Akshay Kumar discuss the key trends that defined this year  -  marketing approval of cell and gene therapies; pricing and reimbursement challenges in US & EU5 as well as industry merger and acquisitions. 

Presenter: Sophie Schmitz

Contributor: Akshay Kumar

Producer: Aparna Krishnan

The team discuss the latest update on the proposed EU health technology assessment (HTA) regulation. The key objectives of the 2018 proposal was to promote convergence in HTA tools, procedures and methodologies; reduce duplication of efforts for HTA bodies and industry and improve joint use of outputs. This episode goes indepth into the one of the controversial aspects of the proposal - The joint clinical assessment - that caused a near stand still in negotiations between member states. 

Presenter: Christina Poschen

Contributor: Ciaran Cassidy

Producer: Aparna Krishnan

The team discuss the NORD summit particularly FDA commissioner Scott Gottleib’s presentation, panel discussion on cell and gene therapy pricing as well as P4A’s lunch and learn on cell and gene therapy access – learnings from the EU.

Also in this episode, Novartis’ Kymriah innovative payment agreement in Italy, the changing evaluation trends for gene therapies among HTA bodies and Alliance for Regenerative Medicines’ Q3 report.

Presenter: Jack Rawson

Contributor: Sophie Schmitz

Producer: Aparna Krishnan

Following an autumn hiatus, the team come back to discuss Vertex's journey to commercialize Orkambi picking up the story from the latest deal struck with NHS England in October 2019. 

Presenter: Nicola Allen

Contributor: Joanna Fernandes

Producer: Aparna Krishnan

In this episode, P4A speaks to a special guest - Alliance of Regenerative Medicine's chief executive officer Janet Lambert on the ARM's key initiatives such as the Foundation of Cell and Gene Therapy medicines as well as the 2019 report on ATMPs (Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products).

Presenter: Aparna Krishnan

Contributor: Janet Lambert, CEO of Alliance of Regenerative Medicine

Producer: Aparna Krishnan   

The team takes a look at the most recent legislation in Germany known as GSAV or the law for more safety in the supply of pharmaceuticals and its implications on the access to orphan drugs. GSAV was approved by the German cabinet on January 30, 2019 and is due to come into effect in August this year. 

Presenter: Akshay Kumar

Contributor: Joanna Fernandes

Producer: Aparna Krishnan

This week, the P4A team discuss the coverage of Novartis' Zolgensma in the US in particular how US health insurers have received the gene therapy. Also on the agenda was the impact of Zolgensma's launch on rival Biogen's Spinraza and the potential for dominance of the gene therapy in the spinal muscular atrophy landscape. 

Presenter: Aparna Krishnan

Contributor: Max Rex

Producer: Aparna Krishnan

The debate over US drug pricing reform has reached fever pitch as the US Department of Health and Human Sciences announced its latest Medicare Part B proposal to include international reference pricing. The Partners4Access team looks at the background to this proposal; the political and patient organisation criticisms; the potential industry response and its ramifications. 

Presenter: Aparna Krishnan

Contributor: Max Rex

Producer: Aparna Krishnan

This week, we analyze Bluebirdbio's commercialization plans for its gene therapy Zynteglo including the new payment model and a delay in launch due to manufacturing issues. 

Presenter: Aparna Krishnan

Contributor: Joanna Fernandes

Producer: Aparna Krishnan

This week, the team discuss the emergence of 'drug buyer's clubs' in the UK involving Vertex's cystic fibrosis drug Orkambi. 

Presenter: Aparna Krishnan

Contributors: Sophie Schmitz, Ciaran Cassidy

Producer: Aparna Krishnan

This week, the team discuss Vertex's acquisition of Exonics and expansion of its collaboration with CRISPR Therapeutics. Also, we take an indepth look at the European Medicines Agency's approval of Bluebirdbio's gene therapy Zynteglo as a treatment for beta-thalassemia . 

Presenter: Aparna Krishnan

Contributor: Jack Rawson

Producer: Aparna Krishnan

On our anniversary episode, the P4A team discuss the USFDA approval of Novartis' Zolgensma, a one time gene therapy for paediatric spinal muscular atrophy patients and a look back at the last 12 months of our podcasting journey. 

Presenter: Joanna Fernandes

Contributor: Christina Poschen, Aparna Krishnan

Producer: Aparna Krishnan

This week, the team discuss the deal between UK's National Health Service and Biogen prompting the successful reimbursement of Biogen’s Spinraza as a treatment for spinal muscular atrophy and Solid Biosciences’ clinical update on its Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy gene therapy product SGT-001.  

Presenter: Aparna Krishnan

Contributor: Max Rex

Producer: Aparna Krishnan

This week, the P4A team discuss a new experimental therapy - Phage therapy or genetically engineered phages in order to treat bacterial infections and the acquisition of Theracon by Big Pharma firm Pfizer for upto $810 million.

Presenter: Aparna Krishnan

Contributor: Ciaran Cassidy

Producer: Aparna Krishnan

This week, we look at the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations or EFPIA’s patient wait survey and its key findings as well as news developments in the spinal muscular atrophy world relating to gene therapy Novartis’ Zolgensma and Biogen’s Spinraza.

Presenter: Aparna Krishnan

Contributors: Sophie Schmitz, Jack Rawson

Producer: Aparna Krishnan

 As part of the continuing World Orphan Drug Congress (WODC) special, this episode discusses the cGMP facilities and biosafety solutions from Germfree’s Carol Houts, P4A’s Sophie Schmitz looks back at the 2019 conference and Terrapinn’s Andre Singer talks about what to expect from WODC 2020.

 Presenter and Producer: Aparna Krishnan

Contributors: Carol Houts, Director of Regulatory and Quality, Germfree; Sophie Schmitz, Managing Partner, Partners4Access and Andre Singer,  General Manager for World Orphan Drug Congress USA, Terrapinn

The team discuss the creation of a new health economics advisory committee in Spain expected to influence pricing and reimbursement decisions for drugs; and Japan’s approval of its first gene therapy and CAR-T therapy  - AnGes' HGF Plasmid and Novartis' Kymriah respectively. 

Presenter: Joanna Fernandes

Contributor: Max Rex

Producer: Aparna Krishnan

This week, we are looking at The Institute for Clinical and Economic Review or ICER’s white paper on alternative options for the US rebate system, and the establishment of a national agency to evaluate drug effectiveness and negotiate prices in Canada. 

Presenter: Max Rex

Contributor and Producer: Aparna Krishnan

This week, we look at Ireland's access to orphan drugs as compared to rest of western Europe and the first outcomes deal for CAR-T cell therapies in Germany. 

Presenter: Joanna Fernandes

Contributors: Nader Murad, Ciaran Cassidy

Producer: Aparna Krishnan

This week, the P4A team discuss the spate of mergers and acquisitions involving Big Pharma companies in the gene therapy space. Particularly, we looked at the deals behind Roche's acquisition of Spark Therapeutics and Biogen's buyout of Nightstar. Also, Vertex's continued struggle to get its cystic fibrosis drug Orkambi reimbursed in the UK. 

Presenter: Joanna Fernandes

Contributor and Producer: Aparna Krishnan

On Rare Disease Day, P4A discusses the role of policy-makers in the healthcare system and specifically, the issues surrounding cross-border healthcare as part of its '6P' campaign.   

This directive is a key cornerstone legislation by EU officials that enables patients to find treatment in healthcare facilities outside their home country. However, there are several challenges associated with it. 

Presenter: Christina Poschen

Contributor: Dr Andrzej Rys, Director - Health Systems and Products

Producer: Aparna Krishnan

In another special edition episode dedicated to the '6P' campaign to mark Rare Disease Day, the Weekly RoundUp team discusses the pharmaceutical perspective on partnerships in the rare disease space.  

Presenter: Max Rex

Contributor: Jan-Willem Schmitz, General Manager for Nordics and Baltics, Sanofi Genzyme

Producer: Aparna Krishnan

 Throughout February, Partners4Access is running a campaign to mark the annual Rare Disease Day on February 28. The '6P' campaign is aimed at creating awareness on the impact of rare diseases on key stakeholders and the need for partnership to achieve successful treatment access for patients. The 6Ps are Partnership, Patient, Policy-maker, Physician, Pharma and Payer. This week we focus on the payer who are decision-makers assessing the value of a product in the healthcare system.  

Presenter and Producer: Aparna Krishnan

Contributor: Einar Andreassen, senior advisor at the Norwegian Medicines Agency. Einar is a health technology assessment analyst and reimbursement decision maker for the national insurance scheme in Norway.  

Throughout February 2019, the P4A team are hosting a series of special edition podcast episodes to mark Rare Disease Day. The initiative is part of a new 6P campaign aimed at promoting awareness about rare disease challenges and its impact on people and society. The 6Ps are Partnership, Policy-maker, Payer, Pharma, Physician and Patient. Our message: 6Ps are essential to successfully serve the rare disease community and achieve access to medicines.

This week, we discuss the first P – Partnership. The team reflects on the meaning of partnership in the rare disease context and what it can achieve through examples of different types of collaborations. From patient and clinical experts influencing HTA decisions; key stakeholders coming together for the Hercules Project to a collaboration between US based ICER, Canada's CADTH and UK's NICE.

Presenter: Aparna Krishnan

Contributors: Sophie Schmitz, Christina Poschen, Max Rex, Joanna Fernandes, Nader Murad and Jack Rawson

 This week we are looking at the USFDA’s proposed plans to address the expected rise in cell and gene therapy product applications and a significant development in a new controversial procedure called gene drive.

Also,  P4A is starting a new campaign that will run throughout February to mark Rare Disease Day.  The '6P'  campaign is aimed at creating awareness on the impact of rare diseases on key stakeholders and the need for partnership to achieve successful treatment access for patients. The 6Ps are Partnership, Patient, Policy-maker, Physician, Pharma and Payer. P4A will roll out a series of podcast episodes featuring thought leaders representing these stakeholders. So make sure you listen in!

Presenter: Joanna Fernandes

Contributors: Nader Murad and Sophie Schmitz

Producer: Aparna Krishnan

This week, the P4A team discusses the Louisiana Medicaid program implementing the 'Netflix' subscription model to pay for hepatitis C drugs and the potential Brexit options facing the UK government. 

Presenter: Joanna Fernandes

Contributor: Max Rex

Producer: Aparna Krishnan

Happy New Year to Weekly Roundup listeners! 2019 is shaping up to be an exciting year for the healthcare and biotechnology industry. We are only a couple of weeks in and already news developments are buzzing on the regulatory and corporate front.

So for this week's episode, we start by discussing the recent wave of  mergers and acquisition deals announced by Big Pharma namely, Eli Lilly and Loxo; BMS and Celgene as well as GSK and Tesaro. Also, the P4A team look at the implications of the current US government shutdown on the FDA and the agency's initiative on assessments for innovative drugs. 

Presenter : Max Rex

Contributor : Joanna Fernandes

Producer: Aparna Krishnan