Hitting the Right Notes in Life Sciences
I thought I would share my introductory note in this month's One Nucleus eNews with my LinkedIn connections. If you'd like to read the full eNews featuring updates on what we are up to at BioEurope, Genesis, our Charity of the Month, a DIT Update and more, then do go to bit.ly/2WU2jaN . My thoughts when writing this month went as follows:
A phrase that seems to be coming up a great deal at the moment is ‘singing from the same hymn sheet’ or similar whether that has been at investment events referring to the alignment between management and investors; at a rare disease policy forum discussing the challenges meeting patient needs whilst balancing budgets; conference sessions entitled along the lines of ‘Perfect Pitch’ or indeed in the world of politics where managing to be in the same song book never mind the same sheet appears to be very difficult. The frequent use of the idiom led me to perhaps think those using it were actually trying to convince themselves and their stakeholders that everything under discussion was was aligned. It struck me more that it was a phrase perhaps used most when the parties weren’t in fact all aligned and it symbolised an aspiration more than a reality. I could see how ensuring the interests of founders, management and investors are all aligned is a perpetual challenge given each can have changing circumstances and views. Likewise, giving a perfect pitch is somewhat subjective depending on the presenter and the audience at any one time. I have no doubts the intentions of all involved in the rare disease arena are all aligned in terms of mission and goals, but each stakeholder also has their own pressures and restraints. When it comes to the political example – let’s just not go there!
Maybe given these challenges, it is testament to the innovative, persistent and creative nature of those in our sector that such progress has and continues to be made. The array of solutions we see to both scientific and business hurdles is amazing and demonstrates there is not a one size fits all and sometimes it is the unusual when coupled with passion for a cause that wins out and all stakeholders are absolutely dancing to the same tune and singing the same notes in a pitch perfect manner. One Nucleus always strives to provide a platform to openly debate some of these challenges and how others have or could solve them if the desire is there, albeit the solutions need to be a bit unusual sometimes. I have no doubt looking at the speaker faculty and attendees already confirmed, that Genesis 2019 (bit.ly/2Z2hnaK) will once again be a forum where the creative, innovative and determined minds will collectively debate how we can best improve patient outcomes when we find a tune we can all agree on. Maybe it will be the origin of a new, Life Sciences-based ‘Christmas Carol’ as we learn the lessons from the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present (and possible Future). For certain it will rely on striking the right partnerships and collaborations across our sector.
The need for unusual solutions reminded me of Bill Bryson’s fantastic book ‘Notes From A Small Island’ that for me described some of the quirkiest and absolute best aspects of the country. It also made me reflect that in many ways we have the quirkiest and the best of this island and more when you tour through the Genesis 2019 Exhibition Hall - wandering through London, Oxford, Norwich, Cambridge, Harlow, Macclesfield, Canterbury and more with key international collaborators such as Flanders and Quebec. Whether to hear some tales from Canterbury, why treacle is associated with Macclesfield, what Boudica got up to in Norwich or to simply find some of the greatest Life Science opportunities and partners, then Genesis is the place to be!
You can find the full eNews at bit.ly/2WU2jaN