New Deloitte digs focuses life sciences colleagues

As Deloitte moved into its new space at 555 Mission St. this summer, its biotech team was salivating.
After all, within the 182,000 square feet that Deloitte leased, its biotech practice leaders saw a chance to bring all of their services together for their clients. Some 60 biotech-related practitioners in consulting, tax, audit and financial advice would have a better opportunity to collaborate in what Deloitte is calling a life sciences incubator.

Comparative effectiveness a challenge for drugmakers

Call it “comparative effectiveness research” or a piece of “Obamacare,” but a plan to help health insurers, doctors and patients pick the best and most cost-effective treatment options could reshape drug makers’ business models.
That is, if it ever happens as originally envisioned. Confusion and questions reign, even as health care costs continue to escalate.
What data standards will payers — Medicaid and private health insurance plans, in particular — want to see from comparative effectiveness research? When will they want to see the data? How big of a clinical difference between one drug and a competitor’s drug will be needed to get payers to cover all or a portion of its use? And how big of an impact will such studies have on the bottom line?

QB3, Deloitte team up to clone incubator model

QB3 — the University of California life sciences-focused institute accustomed to inking research collaborations with big companies like Pfizer Inc. — has a new, untraditional partner: Deloitte.

With no game plan, California risks losing life sciences lead

Pitching to maintain the Bay Area’s lead in the life sciences, industry leaders here might want to recall the legendary Satchel Paige: “Don’t look back — something may be gaining on you.”
That “something” is states like Massachusetts, which has put together a $1 billion, 10-year life sciences initiative and on Wednesday awarded loans of up to $750,000 each (totaling $3.75 million) to five early-stage companies. It is the third round of these awards.
Other states — like Michigan, Ohio, Texas and Kansas among them — are offering similar incentives to retain their most innovative companies.
And California? Left with runners on base.