Part II: Update of Activities of Biotech Task Force Bob McCarthy, Roche Molecular Biochemicals Phone: Fax: e mail: Alicia Loffler, Director, Center for Biotechnology, Northwestern University Phone: Fax: e mail:

Background Charter: Use roadmap tools for evaluating technology in the biotech industry Participants: –Pharmaceutical/life science research industry –Food industry: providers and packagers –Development of substitute technology: plant/crop based renewable resources Goal: hold a international workshop on roadmaps for the biotech industry next year Status: 2 meetings May 27 & September 3 –May 27 kickoff meeting –September 3 meeting: Definition of the problem Preliminary discussions on workshop planning

Phases of Biotech Roadmap Phases of biotech roadmap –Phase 1: Learning: gain experience by addressing a manageable but important problem –Phase 2: Applying: expand scope to more difficult problems to assess the tool –Phase 3: Exploiting: internalize use Critical issue in Phase 1 is to define manageable problem –“ The person who controls the definition of the problem controls the solution” –“A problem well put is half solved”

Key Issue to Consider in Defining a Problem (source: Mitroff: Smart Thinking for Crazy Times) Pick the right stakeholders –Output must meet needs of critical stakeholders Expand your options –Single definition of a problem is not acceptable Phrase the problem correctly –Phrase using human or technical variables Expand the problems boundaries –Never draw too narrowly, challenge comfort zone Be prepared to manage paradox –Never solve problem solely by fragmentation –Look at system, interactions of system important

Systems Thinking Approach: TOC Key assumptions of Theory of Constraints (TOC) –Any system has at least one constraint, otherwise it would be generating infinite amount of output –“A chain is only as strong as its weakest link” Strengthen the chain be addressing weakest link –Constraints dictate the performance of an organization to achieve its goal –Once the weak link is strengthened, a new link will show itself

Differing Perspectives M. Liebman, Wyeth-Ayerst Technology producer vs consumer need Technology vs financial return Technology vs culture Technology vs regulatory issues local/state/region/national/international

Technology vs Culture M. Liebman, Wyeth-Ayerst Technology- Can You Do It Culture- Should You Do It Issues (Process/System Considerations) –convention –(re)education –ethics –regulatory –market need –economics –production, distribution… –funding sources –innovation vs replacement –time vs money

Next Steps Divide group into 3 sub-groups –Pharmaceuticals/life science research –Food industry –Plant/crop renewable resources Each group to complete the following assignments –Construct a value chain/network for their industry –Identify critical issues to address in the roadmap Next meeting to be held in mid-October –Goal will be to review sub-group reports –Use this information to identify topics for the roadmapping effort