Perkin ChiefExecutiveOfficer Altasciences
– John C. Maxwell “
A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.
Leading the Way to Be er Health ‘
Inanerawheremedicaladvancementsarerapidlytransformingpatientcare,
visionaryleadershipisessentialinbridgingthegapbetweenscientific innovationandreal-worldhealthcaresolutions.Onesuchleadermakinga profoundimpactisChrisPerkin,whosededicationtoearly-phasedrug developmentisshapingthefutureofhealthcare.
Underhisleadership,Altascienceshasemergedasapioneerinintegratedearlyphasedrugdevelopmentsolutions.Byseamlesslyconnectingpreclinical researchwithfirst-in-humanclinicaltrials,thecompanyensuresasmoothand efficienttransitioninthedrugdevelopmentprocess.Withateamofdiverse talentsandscientificexpertise,Altasciencesofferscomprehensiveservices, includingin-housebioanalysis,formulationandmanufacturing,analytical services,andfull-scaleCROsupport.
Chris’spassionforadvancinghealthcarestemsfromhisdeepunderstandingof science,business,andmanagement—threepillarsthathaveguidedhimin creatingadistinctcontractresearchorganization(CRO)andcontract developmentandmanufacturingorganization(CDMO).Hisapproachfosters collaborationamongleadingscientificminds,empoweringdrugsponsorsto acceleratebreakthroughsthatimprovelivesworldwide.
AtthecoreofChris’svisionisacommitmenttoinnovationandefficiency, ensuringthatnewtherapiesreachpatientsfasterwithoutcompromisingquality orsafety.HisleadershiphaspositionedAltasciencesattheforefrontofearlyphaseresearch,redefininghowpharmaceuticalandbiotechcompaniesnavigate thecomplexitiesofdrugdevelopment.
Asthehealthcareindustrycontinuestoevolve,leaderslikeChrisPerkinplaya pivotalroleindrivingprogress.Hisrelentlesspursuitofexcellence,coupled withapassionfortransformingdrugdevelopment,isshapingafuturewhere groundbreakingtreatmentsbecomeaccessibletothosewhoneedthemmost.
CO NT EN TS
C O V E R S T O R Y Chris Perkin Microscopes to Milestones
A R T I C L E S
7 Surprising Health and Wellness Trends Revolutionizing Self-care How to Navigate Medical Advancements for Better Patient Outcomes
Editor-in-Chief
Deputy Editor
Managing Editor
Assistant Editor
Visualizer
Art & Design Head
Art & Design Assitant
Business Development Manager
Business Development Executives
Technical Head
Assitant Technical Head
Digital Marketing Manager
Research Analyst
Circulation Manager
David
Mia
Richard
ChrisPerkin ChiefExecutiveOfficer Altasciences
Chris
Microscopes to Milestones
Bringing great scienti c minds together to help drug sponsors improve the lives of people around the world is what inspires me.
Healthcare Visionary Leading the Way to Better Health
AJourneyThrough50Years
ofDrugDevelopment—Including
Building Altasciences
Doyourememberthefirsttimeyou heldamagnifyingglasstoaleaf, amazedatthecomplexnetworkof veins?Orperhapsthemomentyou lookedintoamicroscope,discovering lifethatwasinvisibletothenakedeye?
Biologyhasawayofcaptivatingus, drawingusintoaworldofwonderand discovery.ChrisPerkinreceiveda microscopeasagiftonhis10th birthdayandthenhisownlaboratory(a convertedsmallgardenshed)asa presentonhis13 birthday.Hislove th forbiologyatanearlyagewasthe foundationforhisprolificcareerin drugdevelopment.
Chris’sjourneybeganasatechnician workingoncriticalsmallpoxvaccine productionandsnakeantivenins.He quicklyrosethroughtheranks, transitioningafteruniversityintohis firstCROpositionasastudydirector Hisexperiencespansdecades,with notablestopsinthepharmaceutical industryandarelocationtoCanada fromEngland,leadinghimtoeventuallybecometheCEOofAltasciences in2010.
Chris’svisionforAltascienceswas shapedbyafundamentalquestion: whyareallthepiecesneededforearly drugdevelopmentseparated—whydo sponsorshavetocontractdifferent CROsfordifferentphasesand services?Thisquestionignitedhis missiontostreamlinetheprocessby creatingacomprehensiveCRO/CDMO capableofseamlesslyguidingdrugs throughalltheirearlystagesof development.
Underhisleadership,Altascienceshas becomeapioneerinintegratedearly-
phasedrugdevelopmentsolutions. Withateamofdiversetalentsand scientificcapabilities,Altasciences providesasmoothtransitionfrom preclinical tofirst-in-humanclinical studies,includingin-housebioanalysis, formulationandmanufacturing,and analyticalservices,aswellasthefull arrayofCROsupportservices.
Bringingtogethergreatscientific mindstoassistdrugsponsorsin improvingthelivesofpeopleworldwideiswhatinspiresChris.Throughouthisjourney,hehasexploredthe elementsofscience,business,and management,allofwhichhaveaided himintheestablishmentofadistinct kindofCROandCDMO.
Come along as we pursue Chris's incredible story and the science underlying Altasciences's success!
Whatmotivatedyoutojoin Altasciencesin2010,andwhatvision didyoubringtothecompanyatthat time?
CROstraditionallyhaveaverysiloed approachinwhichdrugsponsorswork withmultiplevendorstocompletetheir R&D.Withinthistraditional outsourcingparadigm,weknowthat transferringdata,projects,and/or methodologiesbetweenCROs,or betweendifferentgroupswithina multi-serviceCRO,cantaketime,is pronetoerror,andcanleadto prolongedR&Dtimelines.Mygoal withjoiningAltascienceswasto addressthatdirectly,withthemission ofimprovingspeedandeasefor sponsorsduringearly-phasedrug development.
Thevisionwastobecomeaone-stop solutionforoutsourcedearly-phase drugdevelopment,whetherforone studyoranentireprogram.An alternativeoutsourcingsolutionthat
wouldmakeiteasierandmoreefficient forsponsorstonavigatethesecritical earlyphases.Earlydrugdevelopment comeswithhighrisksforthesponsor; withanewoutsourcingmodellike ours,theyareabletogetanswersto theirquestionssooner,helpingthem makemoreinformeddecisionsabout thenextstepsfortheirdrugcandidate.
TellusaboutAltasciences’sinception story.
WhenIjoinedthecompany,itwasa single-siteclinicalCROinMontréal focusedontestinggenericdrugs. Becausethesitewasfacingsignificant pricecompetitionfromIndia,weknew wehadtoexpandourcapabilitiesand shiftourfocustomorecomplex, innovatordrugtesting;whichledtothe acquisition,in2013,ofourKansas Cityclinicalpharmacologyunit.
Thiswasthefirststrategicshiftforthe company.Next,weaddedapreclinical facilityinSeattle(2018).Andwekept thisup—listeningtoclientfeedback, wemadestrategicmovestoacquire moreservicesandfacilitiesthatwere neededtobeabletoofferanend-toendsolution.From2020to2023alone, weexpandedourbioanalytical laboratoriesinLavalandColumbia, andweaddedsixlocationsacross NorthAmericaandEuropetosupport andexpandourpreclinicalandclinical offerings:aCDMOfacilityin Philadelphia;athirdclinicalunitin LosAngeles;threemorepreclinical facilitiesinSacramento,Scranton,and Columbia;aswellasanofficein England.
CanyouelaborateonAltasciences’ uniquesolution?
Theideaistoapproachearlydrug developmentinthesamewaythe sponsorapproachesit—asa continuum—ratherthanastepwise,or
As a leader, I cherish change, value diverse ideas, and prioritize solutions over problems. I dedicate time to actively listen and guide teams towards success.
Never
be afraid to challenge the status quo.
linear,approach.Thebestwayto reducetimelinesandR&Dcomplicationsefficientlyandsafelyisby gainingcontroloverthewholedrug developmentprocess,sothat’swhatwe did.
ProactiveDrugDevelopmentwith Altasciencesoffersanopportunityto reducetheoveralltimelinesand streamlinetheprocesswithasingle outsourcingsolution.Withearlydrug developmentmanagedbyonepartner, keydevelopmentactivitiescanoccur inparallelratherthansequentially The resultisaproactive,quicker, collaborative,andmoreagiledrug developmentjourneydesignedto minimizehand-offs,facilitate communication,shortentimelines,and reducecosts(andfrustration)for sponsors.
Bymakingearly-phasedrug developmentmoreefficient, Altasciencescanhelpsponsorsget bettermedicineandtherapiestothe peoplewhoneedthem,faster
Howdidyouimplementthisvision foranewoutsourcingparadigm?
Since2014,Altascienceshasreceived aCROLeadershipAwardin multiplecategoriesninetimes.My firstthreeyearsatthecompanywere dedicatedtobuildingthedreamteam, planningthestrategy,andthen confirmingthestrategythroughvarious researchmeans,suchasconversations withcurrent,future,andpastclients, andwidespreadindustrysurveys.In theyearsthatfollowed,basedonthe initialandongoinginputwereceived, wemadetheacquisitionsImentioned earlier,aswellasexpandedcurrent sitestoincreaseourcapabilitiesto meettheever-evolvingneedsof sponsorsworldwide.
A2022marketresearchsurveywe conductedwithBiopharmaDive confirmedthatAltascienceshadindeed beenaddressingsponsors’majorpaint points.
Altascienceshastransformedintoan end-to-enddrugdevelopment solutioncompanyunderyour leadership.Howhasthisintegration benefitedclients?
Anotableclientsuccessstorythat comestomindisthatofaWestCoastbasedbiopharmacompany.Previously, theirpreclinicalandclinicalresearch wasdividedbetweentwoseparate CROs.Inthistraditionaloutsourcing model,theclienthadtowaitforthe twoCROstosequentiallycomplete theirportionsoftheresearchbefore submittinganInvestigationalNew Drugapplication,andbecauseofthat delay,thetwoCROsfailedtomeetthe client’stimeline.Uponturningto Altasciences,afasterpathwas establishedthroughtheHealthCanada reviewroute.
ByleveragingtheCanadianregulatory pathwayandourintegrated,end-to-end approach,wewereabletoreducethe client’stimelineby10weeks.With Altasciences,theclientproceededwith boththepreclinicalandclinicalphases (requiringonlyoneCRO)while simultaneouslydevelopingtheirIND applicationandInvestigator’s Brochure.
InyourextensivecareerintheCRO industry,whatweresomepivotal momentsandexperiencesthat shapedyourjourney?
Throughoutmycareer,I’vebeen presentedwithforksintheroadwith thepathsI’vetakenrepresenting pivotalmomentsthathadthemost impactonmycareer Thefirstwas duringmytimeasastudydirectorat
myfirstCRO.Ivolunteeredtotransfer todifferentdepartmentseventhoughI wasadvisedbypeersthatthiswould "ruinmycareer."Thisaffordedmethe chancetolearn,andbetterunderstand, thedrugdevelopmentprocessandits operationalchallenges.
Thenextwasshortlyafterarrivingin Canada.TheCROIhadjoined experiencedsignificantownership changesthatledtothedepartureof severalmanagementteammembers, presentinganopportunitytotakeon moreresponsibilities—Ihadthechoice toalsoleave,orstay.Andthenthe mostrecentwaswhenIdecidedtojoin Altasciences.Icouldcontinueto providethetraditionaloutsourcing businessmodelstillusedbymost CROsorpivottodevelopand implementauniquemodelintheCRO industrytofillanunmetneed.
Howdidyourbackgroundasa toxicologistinfluenceyourapproach toleadershipintheCROindustry, andwhatlessonsdidyoucarry forwardfromthoseearlydays?
Beingatoxicologist,particularly withinthefast-pacedCRO environment,offersunique opportunitiestogainexpertiseand knowledgeinawiderangeof disciplinescoveringbothscienceand management.Toxicologycomprises biology,chemistry,physiology, pharmacology,andanatomy,and extendsacrossboth in vitro and in vivo evaluations.
Itteachesplanningandcommunication skills,problem-solving,and presentationskills.Itrequiresahigh leveloforganizationtobesuccessful. Alltheseskillsareessential componentsofmanagementand leadershiproles.Someofthekey lessonsIlearnedincludethevalueof clearcommunication,tolerance,
understanding,andneverlosingsight ofthegoal.
Chris Perkin is a recipient of the Red Jacket Award—a lifetime honor provided after having been named a PharmaVoice 100 Most Inspiring Leader in the Life Sciences Industry for four consecutive years
Youpreviouslyheldvariouskey positionsintheCROfield,suchas GeneralManager,COO,and CorporateSeniorVicePresidentfor anotherCRO.Whataresome significantaccomplishmentsor challengesyouencounteredinthese roles?
AtCharlesRiverLaboratories(CTBR atthetime)IstartedasaSeniorStudy Directorandthenmovedstepwise throughDepartmentHead,General Manager,andfinallyCorporateSenior VicePresident.Thechallengesduring these16yearsweremainlyrelatedto initiallyrepositioningthecompany fromarelianceontraditionallarge pharmaandagrochemicalclients.This coincidedwithaneweraofbiological drugsandstartupcompanies specializinginsmallmolecules.Asthe companygrewtobethelargestsinglesiteCROinNorthAmerica,I negotiatedmulti-yearpreferred provideragreementswithmultinational pharmaceuticalclientstomaintainthe growthcurve.
Ialsoledtheteamthatnegotiated, built,andmanagedasiteinShanghai, China;anewundertakingthatinvolved theacquisitionofasmallChineseCRO andatransitiontonewpurpose-built facilities,obtainingAALAC accreditation,andearningthe distinctionofbeingthefirstCROin ChinatohaveanFDAauditwithno findings.
Whatarethekeyprinciplesand valuesthatguideyourleadership style?
Ourindustryisslowtochange,and usually,tried-and-trueprevails.ButI, ontheotherhand,ammuchmore fueledbychangeandinnovation.Soas aleader,I’vemadesuretobeopento allideasandto really listen.Ipreferto focusonsolutionsratherthan problems;offeringmyguidancetoour teamsandenablingthemtomeettheir objectives.
Atourcore,Altasciencesisabout collaborationandteamwork,andmy leadershipstyleismuchthesame.It’s importanttounderstandthatit’snot justme.Ihaveawholeteambehind methatispassionateaboutdrug developmentandsharesthesame vision.Ourleadershipteam ishandsonandwillworktogether,alongwith ourscientificandoperationalteamsto provideourclientswithaseamlessand positiveexperience.Ourinternal cultureofcommunication, transparency,andcollaboration translatesintohowwebuild relationshipswithsponsors.
As we bring this interview to a close, we extend our gratitude to Chris Perkin for generously sharing his invaluable insights and experiences. Thank you, Chris, for your vision and contributions to advancing science and improving lives.
7 Surprising Health and Wellness Trends Revolutionizing Self-care
Self-carehasalwaysbeeninfrontoftraditional
wellnessrituals,andnewtrendsarerewritingthe bookonhowpeoplemakewellnessandhealtha priority Technology,holistichealing,andpersonalized wellnessinterventionsarerewritingself-careasmore accessible,evidence-based,andimpactfulcare.The followingaresevenunexpectedtrendsinwellnessand healththatarerevolutionizingself-careintoday'sfastpacedlifestyle.
1.BiohackingforPersonalizedWellness
Biohacking,previouslyanundergroundphenomenon,is goingmainstreamasindividualsaretakingchargeoftheir ownwell-beingthroughscience-basedmethods.From exercisemonitorstrackingbiometricstoDNAdieting, biohackingenablesindividualstohackthebodyandbrain. Methodslikeintermittentfasting,redlighttherapy,andice bathsaregainingpopularityfortheirpowertoboostenergy, mentalacuity,andlongevity
2.DigitalDetoxingforMentalWell-being
Withanxiety,stress,andlackofsleepleadingthelistof screenuse,digitaldetoxisalsoanewself-caretrend.More peopleareadopting"tech-freemoments,"blue-light filteringglasses,andmindfulnesstrainingtoreducescreen use.Digitaldisconnectionwellnessretreatsarealso increasinglyondemandtoencouragemoreoutdoortime andenhancedmentalhealth.
3.TheAdaptogenandFunctionalFoodAge
Adaptogens,orthebotanicalnutrientsthatadaptthebody tostress,arealteringthewayhumanstakecareof themselves.Nutrientslikeashwagandha,reishimushrooms, andmacarootaregainingpopularityaseverydaynutrition intea,supplement,andhealthbeverageform.Functional foodslikeprobiotics,antioxidants,andsuperfoodsare gainingtractiontoo,whichfunctionaboveandbeyondthe usualnutritionandhelpwithdigestion,immunity,and energy
4.SoundHealingandVibrationalMedicine
Soundhealing,whereinoneappliesaparticularfrequency tohealandcalmdown,isbecomingincreasinglypopularas aself-careactivity.Binauralbeats,singingbowls,and crystalsoundbathsareutilizedtogetridofstress,improve concentration,andimprovesleep.Scienceprovidesuswith vibrationsfromsound,whichcanchangebrainwavesto producerelaxationandcalmnessfromwithin.
5.SleepOptimizationandCircadianHealth
Sleepisnolongerjustaboutgettingenoughrest; optimizingsleepqualityhasbecomeamajorwellness focus.Sleep-trackingdevices,temperature-regulating mattresses,andsmartlightingsystemsthatalignwith circadianrhythmsarehelpingindividualsachievedeeper, morerestorativesleep.Techniqueslikecontrolledbreathing beforebedtimeandtheuseofnaturalsleepaidssuchas magnesiumandCBDarealsogainingmomentum.
6.MentalWell-beingandEmotionalFitness
Thoughphysicalhealthisrequired,emotionalfitnessisalso becomingacomponentofcompletewell-being.Meditation, journaling,andgratitudediariesarebeingutilizedtobuild upemotions.Mindfitnesstrainingisbeingincludedin workplacewell-beingprogramstoenableemployeesto managestressandperformworkmoreefficiently.Greater emphasisonself-knowledgeandemotionalquotientis revolutionizingthemannerinwhichpersonaland professionaldevelopmenttakesplace.
7.AI-BasedWellnessCoaching
Artificialintelligenceisalsomakingself-careaccessible andtailoredintheformofAI-poweredwellnessapps.From virtualfitnesscoachestomentalwell-beingrobots,AIpoweredplatformsscandatatogivesuggestionsto
consumers.Thesedigitalwellnesscoachesenable consumerstomonitortheirroutines,creategoals,andget constantfeedback,andself-carebecomesmoreeffective andcustomizedthanbefore.
Conclusion
Withhealthandwellnesstrendschangingdaily,self-careis alsoevolvingtobecomemoreholistic,personalized,and technology-driven.Frombiohackingandadaptogensto emotionalfitnessandAI-poweredwellnessproducts,allof thesetrendsaretransformingself-caremethods.Withthese technologies,onecanfine-tunephysical,mental,and emotionalwell-beingandliveahealthierandhappierlife.
How to Navigate Medical Advancements for Better Patient Outcomes
Thepaceofrapidmedicalbreakthroughsis
transformingthehealthindustry,providingnew optionsfordiagnosis,treatment,andcareof patients.Fromprecisionmedicineandartificialintelligence totelemedicineandrobots,thesebreakthroughsare improvingpatientcareaswellashealthcareproductivity. Tobeabletoeffectivelytakeadvantageofthese breakthroughs,however,ahighlycompetentstrategyneeds tointegratetechnology,medicalacumen,andpatientcare.
UnderstandingtheNewAdvancesinMedicine
Medicaltechnologyischangingataspeedneverimagined before,andbreakthroughsarebeingdevelopedinthefield ofartificialintelligence,genomics,andminimalsurgery. Artificialintelligence-baseddiagnosticequipmentis allowingdiseasetobediagnosedfasterandwithgreater precision,androbotsarehelpingperformcomplexsurgery accurately.Breakthroughsinpharmaandbiotechnologyare alsoyieldingtargetedtreatmentmethods.Theknowledgeof allthisistheinitialsteptowardrealizingtheiradvantage.
IntegrationofDigitalHealthSolutions
Developmentofhealthdigitalsolutionslikeelectronic healthrecords(EHRs),wearables,andhealthmobileapps hasrevolutionizedhowclinicianshandlepatientrecords andtreatmentprograms.Integrationofthetechnology, whichenablesclinicalpractitionerstoviewpatients'current records,monitorprogress,anddrawdecision-making conclusionsoncare,makesthemmorecapable. Telemedicinecareisaverypreciousassettodayasitkeeps thepatientsathandwithouthavingarequiredneedof makingappointmentswhileattainingtheoptimalqualityof health.
AdoptingaPatient-CenteredApproach
Asimportantastechnologyisinmedicaldevelopment,the patientshouldalwaysbethefocus.Itwillmakesurethat medicalinnovationsenhancetheexperiencebymakingit moreaccessible,lessexpensive,andwithbettertreatment outcomes.Itentailseffectivecommunicationbetweenthe healthcareproviderandpatient,makingsurethatthelatter knowshis/heroptionsandcanmakeinformedchoices regardinghis/hercare.
ImprovingMedicalTrainingandContinuingEducation
Asnewmedicaltechnologyisalwaysbeingfound,medical professionalsmustbeconstantlytaughtaboutthenewest researchandbestpractice.Continuingeducation,coursesof training,andaffiliationwithresearchcentersareessentialin makingmedicalpersonnelproficientatusingnew interventions.Medicalfacilitiesandinstitutionsmustfund trainingforstaffsothattheycanadoptnewtechnology successfully
ImprovingInterprofessionalCollaboration
Regulationofmedicalinnovationentailscoordination betweenhealthprofessionals,researchers,policymakers, andtechnologydevelopers.Throughfacilitating interdisciplinarycoordination,thehealthcareindustrycan facilitatetheapplicationofinnovationsthatleadtobetter patientoutcomes.Public-privatepartnershipisalso essentialinmakingmedicalinnovationcost-effectiveand availabletoallpatients.
OvercomingEthicalandRegulatoryChallenges
Thoughtherearemanyadvantagesofmedicalprogress, theyarenotfreefromethicalandregulatoryissues.Issues ofdataprivacy,costofnewtreatment,andsafetyrisksby newtechnologyneedtobetackledwithcaution.Healthcare organizationsneedtocollaboratewithregulatorybodiesin formulatingguidelinesforsafeandeffectivepracticewith compliancewithethicalstandardsofmedicalpractice.
Conclusion
Leadingthroughmedicalinnovationforbetterpatient outcomesrequiresabalancedstrategythatembraces innovationbutwithpatientprioritiesattheforefront. Throughaknowledgeofthelatestadvancements,digital convergenceofhealthsolutions,collaboration,andethical resolution,healthcareproviderscanenhancepatientcare andhealthoutcomes.Throughnewtechnology,accessible, high-quality,andpatient-focusedhealthcaresolutionsmust comefirst.
“
Creativity is thinking up new things. Innovation is doing new things.
– Theodore Levitt
www thecioworld.com