Innovation in technologies and globalization are the key to quality and affordable healthcare, pointed out experts at the recently concluded Shimadzu Global Pharma Summit 2012, held in Singapore.

The summit, a first of its kind organized by an analytical instrument manufacturer, demonstrated emerging healthcare models and analytical technologies for the future.

Over 180 experts from the healthcare industry representing 15 countries in Asia, US and Europe, participated.  Key speakers included – Dr Bianca Avramovitch, senior director and head of analytical technologies, global generic R&D – Teva Pharmaceutical, Israel; Ashwini Sathaye, head-analytical, Novartis Healthcare Private Limited Technical R&D, India; Dr Akiko Koga, deputy manager, CMC Development Department, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd (Roche Group), Japan; Dr Parizad Elchidana, managing director, Apotex Research Pvt. Ltd, India; Dr Chunlin Chen, CEO, Shanghai Medicilon Inc. China; Dr Michael Entzeroth, deputy director, Global Alliance and Preclinical Development, Experimental Therapeutics Centre (ETC), A*STAR, Singapore; Dr Mingqiang Zhang, general manager, VP & head of Asia Pacific R&D, MSD R&D (China) Co. Ltd., China;. Narayanan Suresh, chief editor, Biospectrum and Technology Review India, India; RhenuBhuller,  global vice president, pharmaceuticals & biotechnology,  Frost & Sullivan, Singapore and Gerhard Klement, CEO, CD2.

Traditional business models were no long seen as viable and therefore the challenge was to seek new approaches to cushion the shrinking margins, expiring patents and growing regulatory pressures and at the same time deliver cost-effective healthcare solutions, stated a panel of experts.

Highlighting the generics versus innovation for cost effective healthcare, Dr Avramovitch emphasized that technologies played a key role in making or breaking the success venture of a new drug profile.  Dr Sathaye,  pointed that faster and efficient drug development could be achieved through merging scientific understanding with cost efficiency and effectiveness.

Dr Koga, explained the Japanese regulatory perspectives on new drug development.    Sharing a broad perspective on globalization, Dr Elchidana said that multinational corporations were  looking to  broaden their capacity for drug development while decreasing costs.

As a result of the movement of R&D to Indian and China, scientists in these countries were rapidly developing the ability to innovate and create their own intellectual property., observed Dr Chen.