Regulatory Affairs Awards 2011: NDA to champion through sponsorship

The Organisation for Professionals in Regulatory Affairs (TOPRA) has secured a new champion, NDA - one of Europe’s leading pharmaceutical regulatory and HTA consultancies - through sponsorship for the Regulatory Awards 2011.

This high profile sponsorship, in addition to Ash Communications, Samarind RMS and Thomson Reuters, is indicative of the growth and recognition of the Awards, which has built on the success of the first ever event last year.

Lynda Wight, Executive Director of TOPRA comments: “The TOPRA Awards are a unique way to celebrate the very best in regulatory affairs and we are delighted that this is being recognised by all our sponsors who are supporting us so generously. They know that excellence in regulatory matters is a vital component in the timely delivery of safe and effective healthcare products to patients.”

Johan Strömquist, Head of Marketing at NDA Group, adds: “We are delighted to support the 2011 TOPRA Regulatory Affairs Awards. At this time of fast moving change for the pharmaceutical industry it is very inspiring to see so many examples of great innovation working towards a common goal. We wish all nominees the very best of luck.”

Reflecting the growth of the awards, the number of categories increased this year to represent professionals in all stages of their career and within all sectors of the healthcare and regulatory industry. Categories now include: Achievement, Communication, Education, Horizon, Innovation, Inspiration and Support.

The awards will culminate on Thursday 24 November where the winners, as chosen by an eminent panel of judges, will be announced at a gala held at The Four Seasons Hotel in Canary Wharf, establishing itself as a high point of the regulatory calendar.

-ENDS-

Notes to editor

The Organisation for Professionals in Regulatory Affairs (TOPRA) is the global organisation for Regulatory Affairs professionals and for those who have an interest in Regulatory Affairs in the healthcare sector. Current membership is drawn from over 40 countries and members worldwide are actively involved in delivering the services needed by busy regulatory specialists. Members are drawn from industry, the regulatory agencies and the consultancy community and work in all sectors including medical technologies, biotech, borderline products and pharmaceuticals.

Awards Categories

ACHIEVEMENT
The judges will look for an individual who, throughout their career, has gone that extra mile and demonstrated a significant and lasting contribution to their work and/or the development of regulatory affairs as a profession. The nominee for the Achievement Award can be retired or semi-retired yet still active in a regulatory capacity.

COMMUNICATION
This Award recognises Regulatory professionals who have worked (perhaps together with other organisations) to ensure the delivery of safe and effective human or veterinary medicines or devices to market, through the exchange of ideas, or interaction using innovative communication solutions. The category also includes examples of good public health communication by Regulatory professionals relating to human or veterinary medicines or devices, or dissemination of information (such as a journal publication or a web-based article) on a technical Regulatory topic.

EDUCATION
This Award recognises an individual who has made a significant contribution to the world of regulatory education and training perhaps through the development of a formal educational qualification, the consistent delivery of a training product or perhaps the production of an innovative in-house training programme. The category also includes companies or organisations that have demonstrated support for the professional development of RA professionals through, for example, tailored training programmes, or encouraging staff to undertake professional qualifications, such as an MSc, etc.

HORIZON
Open to individuals with less than three years’ experience in the regulatory profession, this award recognises an outstanding ability in an individual. The winner will have set themselves apart from their colleagues with their accomplishments, leadership skills, motivation and commitment to regulatory affairs. Nominations are accepted from employers or managers, who should include details of the nominee’s abilities and potential.

INNOVATION
Every day in regulatory affairs innovation is taking place – new ideas for efficiency, new methods for productivity and new processes. The Innovation Award recognises that innovation is a key differentiator; it is a measure of the regulatory profession’s ability to adjust to the healthcare market and patient needs. Open to individuals, teams and organisations.

INSPIRATION
Aimed at a person who inspires the intellect or prompts action or invention, this award recognises exceptional contributions by an individual in inspiring fellow regulatory professionals in the development of their regulatory career, or as an inspirational team leader. The nomination should be submitted by an individual or team with personal experience of the professional inspirational accomplishments of the nominee.

SUPPORT
This award is in recognition of the critical role that supporting organisations play in the drug development process and the full life cycle of a medicinal product or device. Nominees might include database suppliers, training organisations, translation agencies, courier companies, agency project managers or regulatory consultancies of any size. The nomination should be submitted by an individual or a team with personal experience of the services provided in the past 18 months.