by Tony Pietsch

In the 1960s, Gordon Moore famously predicted that in the future, computer speed and capacity would double, and size and cost would shrink by half approximately every two years. Modern technology now exceeds Moore’s Law, which is great for aficionados of MP3 players, PDAs and cell phones, but in the life sciences, we are constantly struggling with the disparity between the fast-paced world of IT and the extended timelines of medical device, diagnostics and especially drug development.

How do we ensure good information practices when technology is racing ahead of the products it is supposed to support? How do we ensure proper data collection and transmission when the formats and media we use may undergo several generational changes between the time a product is conceived and delivered to market?

Read the full article here.

LSIT is pleased to announce the membership of RCM Technologies, a leading provider of IT Business Solutions and Professional Engineering Services to over 1,000 clients in the commercial and government sectors, and WunderMarx, an international public relations firm differentiating some of the world's most innovative technologies and ideas.

Thank you to both companies for your support and for your commitment as industry leaders to the development of Good Infomatics Practices.

We are pleased to welcome John Mcneil, President of John McNeil & Company, Inc. to LSIT's Technology Advisory Board (TAB). A former VP of Informatics at Isis Pharmaceuticals and VP of Product Development at Ibis Therapeutics, John is currently developing LabSynch., an exciting and powerful Electronic Laboratory Notebook.

The TAB is charged with directing and managing the conception, development, review, and publication of GIP. TAB seats with key Life Science and IT Leaders, LSIT Members, individuals from regulatory and standards organizations such as FDA, GAMP, CDISC, to provide the technical guidance and expertise in reviewing and developing content in the 12 Chapters of GIP.

Steve Fouskarinis recently returned to San Diego after working on the security project for the Athens Olympics where he now continues his work full time and volunteer with the Life Science Information Technology (LSIT) Global Institute in Project Management. Many of you will know this type of person; Steve’s brain works with at least 10 cycles going at one time, processing, probing, planning and seeking interrelated activities and best routes. Many of us on the Infrastructure and Security Working Groups have gotten to know him and enjoy his energy and enthusiasm driving to action and on-time projects.

A few of LSIT Board of Directors and the Technology Advisory Board have recently enjoyed the probing and questions that Steve has put on the table as we define our end user for GIP, the level of detail in content, and how this guide will be used as a reference tool. Engaging and energetic are just a couple of words that describe this man. All of us who have gotten to know him feel a sense of assurance that the project he is leading is in good hands.

Steve, thank you for your commitment and enthusiasm to our great endeavors here at LSIT.

Congrautlations and best wishes to TAB Member Barbara Nollau, on her new role as Executive Consultant with Global Life Sciences, Inc. (GLS). GLS is a provider of strategic business, regulatory and IT solutions and services to the global Life Sciences Industry.

Formerly with Watson Pharmaceuticals, Barbara joins LSIT Founder and Board Member, and GLS President & CEO, Howard Asher at her new company, and we wish her well.

CIOs in the pharmaceutical industry have an opportunity to become true pioneers. That's the good news—and the bad news. With the business model straining to operate at scale, pharma companies are asking their IT leaders to do two things at once: dramatically improve the efficiency of IT and use it to drive business innovation. Never before have CIOs in any industry had to face these challenges at the same time and to meet them so quickly.

Click here to read the full article at The McKinsey Quarterly (free registration required).