Paris DIA: Europeans look for an R&D edge

The spotlight at DIA's 18th annual EuroMeeting in Paris is squarely on more efficient pipeline work. The industry and European governments have been hammering out an Innovative Medicines Initiative that is aimed at gaining more funds for drug research and meeting challenges presented by trial failure rates, the movement of R&D out of Europe and a poor venture capital scene. Advocates are looking for the creation of a European Research Council and other institutions that will help pave the way for a more integrated approach to drug development.

Europe lags the U.S. in a variety of critical areas but it's the overall slow pace of venture backing that is seen as the big obstacle to catching up with a more vibrant U.S. biopharma business. There are some notable exceptions here, not least the Scandinavian countries that have aggressively backed new drug development. The Europeans think they can do better than the FDA's Critical Path Initiative, and they'll need to if they plan to regain research momentum.

The exhibitors here include a host of clinical research organizations that are touting some advanced work of their own. I met with Xceleron, a UK outfit that has been pushing hard for greater recognition of Phase O trials, which involves giving volunteers microdoses of drugs and using accelerator mass spectrometry to gauge their response to the compounds. Phase O has been around for a few years, but Xceleron has been engaged in a few rare public efforts intended to demonstrate its effectiveness in pinpointing the right drug candidates for clinical development. It's fascinating work and an example of the kind of advanced technology that the Europeans hope to use to distinguish themselves. - John Carroll