I’m in San Francisco this week, attending the Molecular Medicine Tri-Conference. I’m specifically focused on a new track called Converged IT and the Cloud. I’m paying particular attention and taking notes – both because it’s very interesting and exciting, because also because at the end of three days I get to moderate a panel discussion. We’ve set ourselves the challenge of accepting any and all conversation topics and questions – which … even given the talks so far … is going a very broad landscape of awesome, interesting, challenging, and occasionally scary stuff.
In an attempt to break the tyranny of locality and provide a bit of access – if you have a question or topic for the panel, please send it to me (comment, direct message, email, text message, or whatever). I will commit to summarizing the topics here after the conference.
On a personal note, it’s amazing to reflect on how important this community has been in my life and career. Kevin Davies opened the session. Seeing him brought back memories of the uppity startup magazine he created, called Bio-IT World. That magazine developed a mutually supportive relationship with a scrappy new consulting company called Bioteam. By hook and crook, hard work and happy accident, we’re all still bumping along the road, showing up at the same conferences, and working to improve the world together. Along the way, I’ve seen collegial work relationships turn into deep and lasting friendships.
It’s pretty cool. I’m happy to be here.
What are the biggest barriers to immunotherapy becoming translational? (FDA, funding limits, enrollees in clinical trials?)
How can patients best support future immunotherapy developments?
This question makes me realize exactly how stuck in the details I am.
It’s an IT technology track at a technology conference – but this is exactly the sort of question we should always be asking: “Which of those barriers to saving lives and improving outcomes are in reach of those of us in this very room?”
That’s where we should start.