AAPSA Biotec Section and Focus Groups

The AAPS Biotec section has several hundred core members and over three thousand
secondary members – all with an interest in pharmaceutical biotechnology. The research
disciplines of the section members are as diverse as the members themselves, yet there are clearly identified clusters of individuals with closely related interests.

These “focus groups” give our section members an open forum to discuss ideas of interest, plan workshops and symposia, and just think out loud with like-minded colleagues. All AAPS sections have affiliated focus groups. For a complete list see link beneath (InfoClick). The Biotec section has three: Gene Therapy, Ligand Binding Assay Bioanalytical, and Pharmacogenetics/Pharmacogenomics. Each participates actively in the programming and administration of the Biotec Section.

Gene Therapy

The Gene Therapy Focus Group, chaired by Dr. Phillip Ramsey, covers the continuum from the molecular biology research lab to the clinic. This focus group provides the Biotec section an excellent resource to bring gene therapy concepts to mainstream pharmaceutical scientists, while broadening the scope of AAPS. This group deals with a variety of gene-based therapies, including antisense technologies, and provides a forum for discussing the development of effective clinical gene-based products. Gene therapy programming focuses on clinical trial updates, emerging technologies relating to delivery to target tissues, FDA regulations, manufacture/scale-up, and formulations.

Ligand Binding Assay Bioanalytical
The Ligand Binding Assay Bioanalytical Focus Group, chaired by Dr. Jeffrey M. Sailstad, covers technologies and issues dealing with bioanalysis of analytes by nonchromatographic assays, such as binding, immuno-, activity-, and cell-based assays. This focus group is very active in developing programming that affects the validation and application of these assays. The group recently produced a white paper promoting an industry consensus for its Pre-study and In-study validation. With an emphasis on emerging technologies, automation, and validation, in vitro assays has attracted keen interest and has made this focus group a valued part of the Biotec family.

Pharmacogenetics and -genomics
Dr. Ronald Norton chairs the Pharmacogenetics and Pharmacogenomics Focus Group. Its objective is to provide programming ideas and relevant educational resources. Currently, it is developing annual theme issues on pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics for publication in AAPS PharmSci, one of AAPS’ online journals. Its goal is to create a “virtual journal/knowledge database” with links to relevant Web communities and articles in all life sciences publications.

AAPS Biotec Section
Much of the programming sponsored by the AAPS Biotec Section is submitted through these focus groups. Their efforts assure that AAPS will have timely offerings relevant to core constituencies. The Biotec Section is always looking to add new focus groups to represent emerging areas of interest and to expand its program offerings. Anyone interested in developing a focus group or participating in such efforts should contact the Biotec Section chair, David Rhodes or the AAPS liaison, Stacey May (see InfoClick links).