Julie Beeso joins Envision Pharma Group in new Global Director, Professional Development and Engagement role

Leading global technology-enabled scientific communications company Envision Pharma Group has appointed Julie Beeso as its Global Director, Professional Development and Engagement.

Having worked for almost 25 years across different medical communications roles in the UK and US, Julie’s extensive expertise will be used to develop, communicate, and execute a comprehensive professional development and talent management strategy for Envision Scientific Solutions (ESS) that supports progressive programs and engagement.

Starting out as a writer, Julie advanced to facilitating the account direction and team leadership for blockbuster launches in a previous role; overseeing new business activities; heading up a company division, and establishing a New York office. Julie joins Envision from Oxford PharmaGenesis where she helped to set up and lead its patient engagement specialty while also focusing on company-wide quality and training activities.

Alongside continuing to teach people how to be the best they can be in a competitive medcomms landscape, Julie’s responsibilities will cover ESS engagement and relations, talent placement and retention, alternative resourcing, and overseeing performance management.

Julie said, “I feel privileged to have the opportunity to work for Envision, whose reputation for integrity and quality – always alongside technological innovation – is second to none. Envision excels through its talented people. The company’s commitment to developing this talent is dynamic and inspiring, and I can’t wait to help take it to the next level!”

Susanne Clark, Global Head, Envision Scientific Services added, “We are thrilled to have Julie Beeso joining the team. With deep market insight and a unique skill set, Julie is ideally placed to meet the needs of a complex and rapidly evolving talent market. At Envision we have grown through continual innovation and improvement, and Julie will begin by scaling up our successful New Medical Writer program and elevating our entry talent offering. We are excited by this new chapter in our talent story.”

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The power of the patient voice is increasing. Patients, enabled by technology, are becoming more and more active in their own care. The healthcare industry model is changing as a result and the pharmaceutical industry needs to respond.

We have prepared a report which looks at the reaction to date, citing information gathered from eyeforpharma in Barcelona, Envision Pharma Groups ongoing research activities in this space and our unique Patient Forum in London earlier this year. Ultimately, it asks what does the future look like for pharma and patients alike? Patient centricity – trend or truth?

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Envision’s Dawn Lobban raised the profile of patient involvement in publications during a presentation at the recent 23rd congress of the European Hematology Association (June 14-17, 2018, Stockholm, Sweden).

The session was hosted by the European Patients’ Academy on Therapeutic Innovation (EUPATI), and was attended by around 50 patient representatives from different patient advocacy groups.

Dawn covered the current landscape of patient involvement in publications, and “traps and tips” to inform and support patients considering publishing their research. The audience were clearly engaged with this topic, which covers new ground for EUPATI’s patient education programme.

“I really enjoyed discussing scientific publications with the patient advocates attending EHA! There was a lot of interest from this audience in participating as co-authors on relevant clinical publications, as well as publishing their own data in scientific journals – this will really help to build this important body of evidence.” Dawn Lobban, Envision Pharma Group, ISMPP EU Committee Member 2018.

Dawn attended EHA as part of Envision the Patient, our dedicated strategic framework for patient involvement initiatives. If you would like a copy of the presentation, or to discuss Envision’s patient-focused offerings, please get in touch with the team.

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Envision Pharma Group has successfully renewed its certification to International Standard Organization (ISO)/IEC 27001.

Along with completing the ISO re-certification audits, new office locations have been included in addition – so the expanded coverage now comprises Hammersmith, Horsham, Marlow and Wilmslow in the UK; Glastonbury, Madison, Philadelphia, Southport and Stirling in the US; and Sydney in Australia.

ISO 27001 is an internationally recognised information security standard that is certified by an independent certification body, and demonstrates a commitment to prospective and existing clients that their sensitive data is protected and in compliance with pertinent security and privacy regulatory requirements – such as Privacy Shield and GDPR.

Kevin Wheatley, Global Head, Facility and Operations at Envision, commented, “We are delighted to announce we have passed again with a completely clean sweep. This achievement demonstrates Envision’s commitment to information governance and the safeguarding of our clients’ data. A big thank you goes to everyone involved in the process.”

ISO develops standards that are accepted as pre-eminent in over 140 countries, including the USA, Australia, Japan and the UK. These standards facilitate international exchange of goods and services, support sustainable and equitable economic growth, promote innovation and protect health, safety and the environment.

By attaining this certification, Envision has demonstrated a clear commitment to Information Security Management to third-parties and stakeholders, facilitating a process and framework to ensure the fulfilment of commercial, contractual and legal responsibilities, and providing for a common security approach within the Envision business units and a formal basis for interoperability between Envision and its customers.

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What hot topics are at the forefront of our minds as we approach the half-way post in 2018?

You won't get far in any conversation in pharma before the subject of patient centricity or digital transformation pops up. The landscape is changing but is pharma? We’ve prepared three infographics to review the trends and consider what the future holds…

Healthcare in 2018 – The technology revolution!

Healthcare in 2018 – The power of the patient voice.

Healthcare in 2018 – Time for pharma to re-think its purpose?

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Glastonbury, CT, USA, 4 May, 2018 – Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc. (Otsuka) has completed the first phase of implementation of the iEnvision medical affairs platform developed by Envision Technology Solutions, part of Envision Pharma Group.

iEnvision is a web-based software platform specifically designed and developed to support multiple medical affairs-related programs of activity. Otsuka is deploying iEnvision to manage several activity types, including Investigator Sponsored Studies, Medical Education, Charitable Contributions, and Client Sponsored Projects (eg, Outcomes Research). Otsuka has also introduced iEnvision to compliantly manage the distribution of publications and medical materials to Otsuka personnel, via the iEnvision Library.

Further planned implementation phases will expand Otsuka’s usage to iEnvision for publications management, converting from Datavision, another Envision product.

Having previously implemented separate solutions, Otsuka sought a single replacement globally-scalable software platform that could provide flexibility and cross-activity coverage. These legacy data sources and systems required amalgamation as part of the implementation management process undertaken by Envision. A master documentation approach was utilized to facilitate data migration, workflow definitions, testing, and configuration.

An internal and external communication program was also developed by Envision’s Operational Excellence unit to introduce, explain, and help accelerate adoption of the Otsuka ‘Medical Affairs Ecosystem’, including program-specific landing pages, system graphics, and user support materials.

“We are pleased to offer external stakeholders a more user-friendly and efficient experience when submitting requests for medical education grants, charitable contributions, and investigator sponsored studies, that will also enable us to respond to requests in a more efficient manner,” said Dusan Kostic, VP, Otsuka Medical Affairs. A staged rollout is now being implemented, which began with US launch for all activities in late 2017, and is progressing to other Otsuka companies in 2018. For the recent Japan launch of one of the modules, translation of the software user interface and support materials to Japanese was undertaken to provide additional ease of use, together with local language training and support offered by Japan-based Envision staff.

Kelli Walker, Envision’s Director of Platform Strategy, and project lead for the Otsuka implementation added, “We are pleased to support Otsuka as they move to a fully integrated global medical affairs program support approach with iEnvision. With iEnvision, Otsuka has implemented a scalable Medical Affairs platform and ‘Ecosystem’ for its companies around the world, providing transparency, tracking, reporting, compliance, and process alignment across multiple activities, with resulting efficiencies offering significant cost savings over time.”

About Envision Pharma Group

Founded in 2001, Envision Pharma Group is a global, innovative technology and scientific communications company serving the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device industries. Envision is a leading provider of evidence communication services and industry-leading technology solutions that have applicability across many areas of Medical Affairs and related functional responsibilities. Envision Pharma Group provides services and technology solutions to more than 80 companies, including 19 of the top 20 pharmaceutical companies.

Envision has 14 offices, five in the UK – Bishop's Stortford, Horsham, London (Hammersmith), Marlow, and Wilmslow; one in Serbia; six in the US – Philadelphia, PA; New York, NY; Southport, CT; Madison, NJ, Stirling, NJ; and Glastonbury, CT; and two in Asia Pacific – Tokyo and Sydney. The company employs more than 650 team members, including over 250 highly qualified in-house medical writers and over 140 technology solutions team members involved with software development and customer support.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Kelli Walker, PharmD, MS

Director, Platform Strategy, Envision Technology Solutions

Tel: +1 (215) 239 6605

Email: kelli.walker@envisionpharmagroup.com

www.envisionpharmagroup.com

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Envision Pharma Group is delighted to have received an award at an event that celebrates the fastest-growing companies in Sussex.

The Sussex Super Growth Awards held at Brighton’s Amex stadium, served to recognise the county’s high-growth, job-generating businesses. The event was returning for its 4th year of championing innovative and evolving companies, and cites the Sussex region as being a significant and growing contributor to the national economy.

Receiving the award at the event were Envision’s Chief Financial Officer John Gillie, and HR Director Petra Battersby. Petra said, “Envision are really excited to once again be a finalist in the Super Growth Awards. It is a testament to our staff’s professionalism, dedication and commitment that we are recognised for our growth and innovation.”

This latest accreditation follows Envision being recognised as the top performing mid-market company, and one of the Top 20 fastest-growing businesses in Sussex at the end of last year.

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Glastonbury, CT, and Fort Washington, PA, USA, February 26, 2018 – National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) engages Envision Pharma Group to support their Oncology Research Program using iEnvision – a new web-based software platform for medical programs.

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Oncology Research Program (ORP) today announced the selection and implementation of the iEnvision medical affairs platform developed by Envision Technology Solutions. NCCN ORP supports research through collaborations with pharmaceutical companies and by drawing on the expertise of investigators from leading cancer centers. iEnvision is a web-based software platform specifically designed and developed to support multiple medical affairs-related programs of activity, including, as in this case, investigator-led studies.

NCCN chose the iEnvision platform to help manage the multiple research projects supported within the ORP. NCCN values the iEnvision platform’s simple and intuitive system for use by investigators/applicants, pharmaceutical industry grant providers, and internal staff. While NCCN did require minor adaptations to the industry standard iEnvision configuration usually used by pharmaceutical companies to manage investigator-led research – the platform did not require extensive customization in order to support the NCCN ORP process.

“Switching to Envision’s web-based system has allowed the ORP to streamline our process for managing proposals and investigator-initiated clinical trials, making it easier to manage research that will improve patient’s quality-of-life and reduce cancer-related deaths,” said Susan Most, RN, MBA, Director of Clinical Operations, NCCN ORP. “Envision worked with us to adapt their platform to meet the specific needs of our applicants, reviewers, and institutions. We’re now able to accept and review proposals in a more efficient, user-friendly manner.”

NCCN has now launched their iEnvision-based solution and migrated active studies into the system. NCCN will use the system to process approximately 50 proposal submissions and manage 70 active studies annually, and to communicate directly from within the system with the pharmaceutical companies who provide the research grants.

Kelli Walker, Envision’s Director of Platform Strategy, added, “We are pleased to have been able to provide the adaptation of our industry standard study management iEnvision module for NCCN, supporting their industry-wide coordination of important, independent oncology research.”

NCCN anticipates that the iEnvision-based system will enable the management of their studies in an efficient manner, with the ability to upgrade and make changes to the system annually. iEnvision will facilitate a consistent experience for grant applicants, NCCN staff, and peer reviewers, leading to a more effective study selection process, and ultimately contributing to better patient care.

About NCCN

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), a not-for-profit alliance of 27 leading cancer centers devoted to patient care, research, and education, is dedicated to improving the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of cancer care so that patients can live better lives. Through the leadership and expertise of clinical professionals at NCCN Member Institutions, NCCN develops resources that present valuable information to the numerous stakeholders in the health care delivery system. As the arbiter of high-quality cancer care, NCCN promotes the importance of continuous quality improvement and recognizes the significance of creating clinical practice guidelines appropriate for use by patients, clinicians, and other health care decision-makers.

Clinicians, visit NCCN.org. Patients and caregivers, visit NCCN.org/patients. Media, visit NCCN.org/news. Follow NCCN on Twitter @NCCNnews and Facebook @National.Comprehensive.Cancer.Network.

About Envision Pharma Group

Founded in 2001, Envision Pharma Group is a global, innovative technology and scientific communications company serving the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device industries. Envision is a leading provider of evidence communication services and industry-leading technology solutions that have applicability across many areas of Medical Affairs and related functional responsibilities. Envision Pharma Group provides services and technology solutions to more than 80 companies, including 19 of the top 20 pharmaceutical companies.

Envision has 14 offices, five in the UK – Bishop's Stortford, Horsham, London (Hammersmith), Marlow, and Wilmslow; one in Serbia; six in the US – Philadelphia, PA; New York, NY; Southport, CT; Madison, NJ, Stirling, NJ; and Glastonbury, CT; and two in Asia Pacific – Tokyo and Sydney. The company employs more than 640 team members, including over 230 highly qualified in-house medical writers and over 130 technology solutions team members involved with software development and customer support.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Rachel Darwin

Manager, Public Relations, NCCN

Tel: +1 (267) 622 6624

Email: Darwin@nccn.org

www.nccn.org

Kelli Walker, PharmD, MS

Director, Platform Strategy, Envision Technology Solutions

Tel: +1 (215) 239 6605

Email: kelli.walker@envisionpharmagroup.com

www.envisionpharmagroup.com

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Building upon established foundations of patient-focused strategy and advocacy, Envision Pharma Group, the world’s leading medical communications and technology company, is delighted to announce that Professor Karen Woolley has been appointed Global Lead, Patient Partnerships.

With this new role, Envision is embracing the transformational change that patients expect in their relationship with industry. Empowered through strong networks and an active engagement with medical publications, patient advocates and organisations are looking to become involved in decisions throughout the product lifecycle.

Envision recognises that decision makers, including regulators, payers, healthcare professionals and industry clients, increasingly see the value of patients as partners. Patients have unique and valuable insights to share. In light of this evolving relationship between patients and industry, Envision is prioritising patient involvement. The creation of this senior and global role reflects Envision's commitment to both patients and clients.

Karen has a long-term interest in patients as partners in healthcare. As a thought-leader, she has conducted, presented, and published research on patient involvement in medical research and has helped Envision to establish trusted partnerships with leading patient advocates around the world. Karen brings unique insights into this role having been a government-appointed director of five hospitals. Karen served on the Patient Safety and Quality Committee for 4 years and saw the value gained from having patient advisory boards and leveraging technology to gain patient-reported insights. She has championed the need for our profession and our organisation to embrace Patient Partnerships and we look forward to seeing what her passion and energy brings to this new, Envision-wide, service offering.

Karen notes, “I am honored to be working with a talented and global team at Envision to help our clients and patient partners work together, ethically and meaningfully. Patient involvement is transforming our industry and empowering the patient voice is a responsibility that both excites and unites our services and technology team members.” Karen will continue to support ProScribe globally and will mentor the new General Manager for Envision in Japan. Karen highlighted that, “ProScribe continues to grow successfully and globally as part of the Envision Pharma Group. We have great talent in ProScribe in the US, EU, and Asia-Pacific region that has been, and will continue to be, nurtured as part of Envision’s strategic succession planning.”

After learning about Karen’s new role and Envision’s ongoing commitment to Patient Partnerships, Richard Stephens, Joint Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Research Involvement and Engagement and Chair of the NCRI Consumer Forum made the following comment “I am very pleased to see a major medical communication agency like Envision invest a dedicated resource in patient involvement. Communication agencies can play a key role in building and publishing an evidence base to guide best practice for patient involvement in industry's work.”

About Envision:

Driven by evidence, enabled by technology. Delivering solutions to support evidence generation and communications.

Envision Pharma Group provides innovative technology and communication solutions supporting Medical Affairs and allied functions. Envision partners with over 120 clients, including 19 of the top 20 pharma companies. Envision employs over 600 team members across 14 global offices, including 230 in-house medical writers and 120 technology specialists.

For further information, please contact:

David Thompson
Chief Strategy Officer
Envision Pharma Group
Tel: +44 (0)7557 238911

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We are delighted that Envision Pharma Group employees have provided strategic account management advice that has helped shape a new medical communications career guide for the industry, ‘The business of medical communications: A guide to getting started in account management’, published on 22 January, 2018.

This first edition of the careers guide aims to provide information for people considering a move to medcomms relating to the industry, career path, and required skills and qualifications. The publication contains contributions from several specialists in the field, as they describe insights on their day-to-day work along with personal career journeys and highlights. Among the Envision team members who contributed to the development of the career guide was Account Executive Laura Gill (pictured), who provided an extensive personal profile on her background, experience and role in the account management team.

Laura notes in the guide, “In the past 6 months, I have already worked on a range of medical meetings and commercial projects including the launch of a new e-learning platform. My day-to-day tasks include financial management, tracking projects, liaising with internal teams and developing relationships with clients. At Envision Pharma Group, alongside our key roles and responsibilities, it is hugely important to maintain a strong work life culture that balances fun and hard work; this is as important as the actual work you deliver.”

The guide – which features quotes from Envision Client Solutions team members on why they enjoy working in medcomms – was authored by Lindsey Heer, a former Account Manager at Envision, and can be downloaded from FirstMedCommsJob.com’s website here.

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In early November, forty-five delegates from twenty-five pharmaceutical and healthcare companies gathered at the iconic Liberty Hotel in Boston for the inaugural iEnvision Summit. This meeting provided the opportunity for our partners to experience first-hand the latest iEnvision developments, with a view to planning for a transition to the new system from 2018 onwards.

Delegates enjoyed a varied agenda that kicked-off with a much-anticipated tour of the new iEnvision suite. Further highlights of the meeting included sessions on the future of Medical Affairs with a focus on efficiency, effectiveness, and medical plan alignment; opportunities to get hands-on with iEnvision; and information on the iEnvision transition process.

A series of workshops helped our clients begin to think about the strategy and planning for their individual transitions to iEnvision, thereby establishing effective communities to support industry standards, tactical usage, and the further evolution of the iEnvision business platform. The meeting also explained exactly how Envision is transforming not only our software but also our organization to meet the evolving, future needs of our clients.

We would like to thank all our delegates for their insights and suggestions and all contributions at the Summit. These will help inform both our strategic roadmap and the community activities moving forward.

Client feedback confirmed that the meeting was very well received and generated a lot of interest in iEnvision. Additional client summits will follow in 2018 in Europe, the USA, and Japan.

We look forward to welcoming our clients to future iEnvision summits and other iEnvision events.

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