BIO encouraging industry to include the patient voice early in drug discovery

The US Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) has released a white paper – A Lifecycle Approach to Structured Benefit/Risk Assessment Framework - to encourage companies to incorporate and reflect patient preferences throughout the drug development lifecycle.

The white paper release yesterday coincides with the BIO International Convention taking place this week in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was also announced at the Convention that BIO would soon become the Biotechnology Innovation Organization.

“The voice of patients can play a critical role in helping to better inform the search for treatments and cures for chronic and deadly diseases throughout drug discovery and development,” said Kay Holcombe, senior vice president for science policy at BIO, adding: “This needs to be a two-way conversation, with patients serving as advocates for their diseases and providing the research and scientific community with feedback and input. In turn, we must shift our approach to drug development by incorporating this input at key stages throughout drug development in order to meet the unique needs and desires of patients most effectively."