SCIpharm 2006 - A Success in Mixing Science and Business

Following the closing addresses at SCIpharm 2006, which took place in Edinburgh on 14-17 May, Dr Graham Dixon, chairman of the organising committee, summed up this year’s event, saying, "The SCI is dedicated to furthering the connection between science and business."

"SCIpharm is intended to provide a high calibre forum for anyone working in or with the pharmaceutical industry - from bench level scientists to senior management - to explore significant industry issues."

"We want this to be in an environment that encourages the exchange of ideas and opinions, and brings together scientific and commercial interests."

"I am delighted to say that SCIpharm 2006 has met these expectations and already there is considerable interest in SCIpharm 2008."

Close to 500 people from 22 countries attended SCIpharm 2006, and 42 companies participated in the trade exhibition.

Delegates could choose to go to sessions from any of the four tracks, and many chose to ‘mix and match’ over the three days of the conference.

Keynote speakers included Dr John Patterson development director of AstraZeneca, who on the day that AstraZeneca unveiled its acquisition of Cambridge Antibody Technology, told delegates in his plenary address that big pharma must evolve to survive the changes that are sweeping through the pharmaceutical industry.

There was a strong response to the call for scientific posters with 46 on display. Winning submissions, judged by members of the organising committee, were from Dr Mahmood Ahmed and colleagues from GlaxoSmithKline, Marion Darnaud and Gwenola Sabatte from the University of Strathclyde, and Dr Simon Everitt and colleagues from Vertex Pharmaceuticals.

They all received a year’s subscription to Drug Discovery Today, a year’s membership of the SCI, and bottles of whisky donated by Organon and Synovo.