RE: QSAR - Informatics-Outsourcing

Hello David and colleagues,
 
I certainly agree with the reaction of David to Svante Wold's comments.
To paraphrase David's comment - mind you, many companies (including this
one) and consultants earn their revenues from outsourcing data analysis,
rational design and more generally, drug discovery (is there anything
more sensitive?????). And I have to say that I was surprised to read
such opposite statements from Svante Wold who is developing and selling
some of these beautiful software tools that make this outsourcing
feasible.
 
Happy new year to all,
 
Roger
****************************************************************
Dr Roger Lahana Synt:em
Vice-President Discovery Parc Scientifique G.Besse
email: rlahana..syntem.com 30000 Nimes, France
Tel: +33 (0)466 048 668 (Direct) Fax: +33 (0)466 048 667
****************************************************************
            Discover New Drugs, Discover Synt:em
                   http://www.syntem.com <http://www.syntem.com/>
****************************************************************

> In my view, outsourcing the informatics and data analysis of a
> pharmaceutical company is very risky, and I would advice against it.

I have to disagree with this. Mind you, I earn my living from
outsourcing so I guess I would, wouldn't I ?

> This for several reasons. (1) The data relating to the development of
> a new drug are very sensitive and should not be allowed to go in
> anybody elses computer, especially not in organized form, i.e.,data
> bases. (2) The results of the analysis of such data are even more
> sensitive and valuable, and should definitely not be seen by
> outsiders.

But these are both amply covered by standard confidentiality agreements.

>(3) The quality of informatics and data analysis depends
> very much on the motivation of the persons actually doing the work.
> Sufficient knowledge and motivation is very difficult or impossible to
> get outside the walls of the pharma company.

Au contraire, it is easy to find the knowledge and motivation if you go
to the right person. I might add that it is often useful to have a
fresh pair of eyes look at the problem, to say nothing of new techniques
or fresh approaches.

I would like to think that some of my customers agree !

>
> Outsourcing can be done of routine tasks requiring moderate security,
> i.e., payroll and the like. Research and development data of a
> pharmaceutical company are their most valuable asset, and their
> organization and analysis should not be left to others.

I agree that a company needs people on their payroll who understand what
is done or needs to be done, but help in R&D is no different to any
other kind of help.

Best wishes and Happy New Year,

                        Dave.

>
> With the best regards // Svante Wold, Umea University and Umetrics
> Group.
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Parthi
> To: qsar_society%accelrys.com
> Sent: Thursday, January 02, 2003 7:02 AM
> Subject: QSAR - Informatics-Outsourcing
>
> Dear Colleagues:
> The trend in drug discovery, including the information technology
> area, is to want and get things done faster, more reliably, and less
> expensively, which today means to outsource it. In this scenario, what
> exactly do the pharma and biotech companies are looking for in
> specialised informatics companies for outsourcing. I would appreciate
> your thoughts. Is it client-centric databases or some software
> services or development of client-centric specialised tools. If you
> have something particular I will be happy to contact you to have
> further discussion. Thanks in advance for your replies. I will
> summarise all your replies. Thanks and Regards
> - Parthiban S
>
> -----------------------------------------------------------
> Do the Informatics companies really have market, if so, whatare the
> key areas that a start-up informatics company should concentrate?
> -------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
> Do you Yahoo!?
> Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now

------------------------------------------------------------------
D.J. Livingstone ChemQuest
                      Delamere House, 1 Royal Crescent,
                      Sandown. Isle of Wight UK PO36 8LZ

Phone & Fax: +44 (0)1983 401793
e-mail davel(_)chmqst.demon.co.uk http://www.chmqst.demon.co.uk
------------------------------------------------------------------
_______________________________________________ qsar_society mailing
list qsar_society=-¬celrys.com
http://ftp2.accelrys.com/mailman/listinfo/qsar_society
Received on 2003-01-08 - 03:17 GMT