Biomoda will expand an ongoing Phase II trial and add an observational component for the hypothetical post-approval time frame. "The ability to monitor study participants over the long term will no doubt result in a better medical outcome for them as well as provide invaluable data for Biomoda as we prepare for Phase III pivotal trials and FDA approval," said John Cousins, president and CEO. Here's a press release.

Steve Tobak, a consultant in California, has a few reflections on Bnet regarding the work environment of the future. There will be no need to travel, for starters. The cumbersome computer interfaces of today will disappear, replaced by touch screens and sensors embedded in every object around us. Companies will become more democratic, less hierarchical. "The internet, social networking, and Gen-Y will together result in flatter organizational structures than any management consultant would have thought possible," Tobak writes.

PPD named Deborah Covington global head of observational studies and pregnancy registries. She previously worked at an unidentified contract research organization and was an invited guest at an FDA workshop on recruitment and retention in pregnancy registries. Here's the release.

The Drug Information Association (DIA) hired a new executive director. Paul Pomerantz had previously been executive VP of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. "Paul comes to DIA with a proven track record of successfully leading global member-driven associations, developing quality education programs, building coalitions and alliances, and opening doors to new relationships,” said DIA board president Jeffrey Sherman.

DSG announced that Cipher Pharmaceuticals is using its electronic data capture (EDC) software for a 50-site, 800-patient acne trial in Canada and the U.S. "It is essential that we have the latest in EDC and data management technology that reduces overall trial costs and improves data quality," said Jason Gross, VP of scientific affairs at Cipher. Here's the release.

Between now and the end of 2011, Lilly will fire 5,500 people—one of seven employees. Expiring patents and failed clinical trials were cited as the reason. The reorganization will create five departments and save $1 billion in annual costs. Tim Garnett and Tom Verhoeven will lead the scientific and clinical side of the firm; John Johnson (an executive from the acquired ImClone subsidiary) will run oncology. Unlike peers, the company continues to tell Wall Street it won't be pursuing mega-deals with firms of a similar girth. An Indianapolis business newspaper quotes an analyst who shrugs off the long term significance of the job cuts. "Nobody’s really found the magic bullet,” said Les Funtleyder. Here's the release.

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