Targeted founder: Biotech needs to be more vocal

Over at Xconomy, Targeted Genetics founder and former CEO H. Stewart Parker offers up some advice to ensure a better future for biotech. If the sector is to survive the inevitable healthcare reform, the industry needs to put more effort into demonstrating its value, says Parker. This means presenting hard data that takes into account all costs and benefits, including quality of life measurements. "It's difficult, but it can be done, as the data is available and transparent."

Advocates also need to be enlisted to help spread the word about the importance of the work being done in the biotech industry. And what better "soldiers" than patients and employees? "No one conveys the benefit of biotechnology better than patients, but someone working in the field also has a great role in explaining the rigors of our processes, how hard we work, and how important the work is," Parker explains.

Parker left Targeted Genetics in November after nearly 10 years with the company.

- read more [1] at Xconomy

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