ICON_Jan2021_CellandGeneTherapy - 22

Q&A: In Conversation with Tamie Joeckel

orphan diseases, the sponsors often have rela-

to CGT, I would say it's to be prepared to be flex-

tionships and they already know which sites

ible, to change, and to adapt.

they want to work with. But when we are asked
for suggested sites, we have a database of key

	

Our focus on CGT has been a huge effort and

opinion leaders, investigators, and experience

investment by ICON. We have a dedicated infra-

criteria-along with startup timelines-that

structure-I'm lucky to be part of it-that does

allows us to " think outside of the box " in identi-

nothing but focus on this exciting, evolving area

fying candidates.

of research. And as the CGT area continues to
grow, the demand for robust best practices and

CO:	 How do your experiences in CGT clinical

trained resources is only going to increase. The

trials in cancer or in some of the rare and

projected market growth over the next decade

orphan diseases that are genetic in nature

is about 37% year over year.

help inform each other in terms of ICON
continually improving the service it provides

	

to sponsors?

We know that we need to continue to innovate
and accelerate how we are delivering these
cell and gene therapy trials. Over half of our

TJ:	 Common denominators in these programs are

clients are emerging biotechs where we liter-

the sense of urgency and safety. We're work-

ally become part of their team. Being agile and

ing with very sick patients and the IP is a " living

flexible is a necessity. There are no guidelines,

therapy. " Across therapeutic areas, many of the

no handbooks, and few standards in this new

nuances of these patient-centric programs are

frontier. We are learning as we go-developing

similar. The best practices, tools and technolo-

our own practices, tools, and resources. ICON is

gies we have developed apply and we've cap-

committed to this area of research. We currently

tured it all in our internal CGT Training Academy

have over 400 colleagues dedicated to cell and

to ensure we continue to fill the pipeline with

gene therapy-and to the curative promise

trained resources.

these programs present to patients.

	

But the bottom line is we continue to grow and

I'm a mother of a child with a rare disease. How

learn just as the industry is growing and evolv-

can I not be excited and exhilarated to partici-

ing. We didn't have a handbook 7 years ago, and

pate in these trials and the miracles they can

we're still re-writing the handbook today right

bring to patients?  

along with our sponsors! If there's a golden rule

22 |

	

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ICON_Jan2021_CellandGeneTherapy

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