Sustainablity Driven R&D

Sustainability White Paper 2025

The healthcare sector contributes to approximately 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and Clinical Trials play a significant part in this (producing approximately 100 million tonnes of carbon dioxide). This white paper, a collaboration between the pharmaceutical industry and patient groups, explores what is next for the industry tackling sustainability alongside a challenging healthcare environment.

The Pistoia Alliance is now calling for organizations to help move the industry forward to get in touch and to bring project ideas or opportunities for collaboration to help solve the challenges surfaced in this paper.

For further information and to get involved please email: timeforchange@pistoiaalliance.org.

Clinical Trial Carbon Calculator

The calculator is free to use and makes use of carbon footprint methodology and data contained within the Clinical Trials Carbon Footprinting: Guidance Document. It uses a step-wise process to sum carbon from a number of separate activities (modules) associated with design, management and operation to estimate the overall carbon footprint (kgCO2e) of a trial.

Such calculations can be used to appraise the relative materiality of different activities and guide users to where greatest opportunity exists for reducing the carbon footprint of clinical research

This Clinical Trials Carbon Calculator has been produced to help provide a rapid and simple means to produce some indicative numbers on carbon emissions associated with trials. It should not be seen as a surrogate for a full assessment in accordance with the Clinical Trials Framework.

In Vitro Novel Alternative Methods Poster Fall 2024

Novel Alternative Methods (NAMs) refer to Non-animal methods, models and
technologies used to answer complex questions about human health and disease. These include in
chemico (biochemical), in vitro (cell-based) and in silico (computer-based) approaches.

LGBTQIA+ Inclusivity in Pharma

Why your business will deliver more when you foster greater LGBTQIA+ inclusion in the workplace and how to get there

This workshop is focused on LGBTQ+ inclusion in the workplace and includes a presentation on the importance of LGBTQ+ inclusion, highlighting key statistics, terms, and challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals, especially in life sciences.

Participants are welcomed to engage in small group discussions through case studies that address real-life LGBTQ+ challenges and propose solutions for a more inclusive environment.

The session concludes with an interactive Q&A and a call to action, offering resources for continued learning.

Speakers
  • Dr. Covadonga Palacio Gutierrez, Analytical Scientist, Roche Analytical chemist with a strong focus on mass spectrometry working in the Extractables and Leachables (E&L) group within the Hyphenated & Special Technologies (HST) at Roche. My main task is the validation of the methods used for E&L determination, analysis of routine E&L samples and coordination of requests. I also look for ways of improving the way we work with focus on lean work and automation. In addition, I’m a core member of the OPEN network at Roche and I focus on making Roche a more inclusive place to work for every employee.
  • Vincent E. Gaillard,Group Global Medical Director, Roche A trained anesthesiologist and emergency physician, Vince has more than a decade of experience in Pharma industry, working in Medical Affairs at country and global levels, contributing to the further development of oncology medicines, crafting medical education and collaborating with global experts in diverse disease areas. For the past 4 years, Vince has been an outspoken core member of the OPEN Switzerland network, Roche’s LGBTQ+ employee resource group, advocating and educating on all kind of queer topics. Additionally, he co-created, trained trainers for, and led global workshops on Allyship, trying to improve the world around him a little bit every day through kindness and empathy.
  • Steinar Halldorsson, Senior Scientist, Roche Steinar is a Senior Scientist working in the early stage research and development of Roche Pharma. Steinar has more than ten years of experience in the field of Structural Biology that spans academia and industry. His passion though is culture, diversity, equity and inclusion. Steinar is a part of the People Leadership Circle within Lead Discovery of Roche where he shapes culture and people leadership within his department. For the last six years Steinar has been involved in LGBTQ+ working groups both within his work and outside where he has taken on various roles including facilitation, event management and policy shaping.
  • This webinar is part of a series of D&I webinars sponsored by AbbVie.

The Power Leaders Have over Employees’ Mental Health

Join us for an enlightening webinar where we delve into the profound influence leaders have on the mental well-being and performance of their team members through their management approaches. Throughout the session, we’ll dissect various management styles, highlighting both exemplary and detrimental practices. By examining these examples, we aim to elucidate the significant impact management styles wield on employee mental health and subsequent workplace performance.

Speaker

Iain Hadwin, Senior Manager, BMS

Unlock the Future of Non Animal Models

Join us for an enlightening webinar as industry leaders Eurofins and InsilicoTrials shed light on cutting-edge approaches to revolutionize toxicity studies. In this dynamic session, we will explore the transformative power of in vitro assays and in silico predictive analysis, replacing traditional animal models with ethical, efficient, and scientifically advanced alternatives.

Key Highlights:

  • Eurofins In Vitro Assays: Discover the realm of in vitro assays with Eurofins, where experts unveil the versatility and precision of toxicity signature/prediction analysis. Learn how these advanced methods provide reliable insights into toxicity without relying on animal testing.
  • InsilicoTrials In Silico Predictive Analysis: Delve into the future of predictive analysis with InsilicoTrials as they showcase the immense potential of in silico methods. Explore how computational modeling can accurately predict toxicity outcomes, revolutionizing the way we approach pre-clinical studies.
 
Speakers
  • Alastair King, Ph.D. Head of Biology, Eurofins
  • Luca Emili, InSilico Trials

Strategic Priorities Update February 2024

Join us for this inaugural update on the newly formed Strategic Priorities of the Pistoia Alliance, followed by a 30 minutes Q&A with our panelists

Agenda

Dr Becky Upton, President of the Pistoia Alliance

  • Introduction

Dr Christian Baber, Chief Portfolio Officer, Pistoia Alliance

  • Strategic Priorities Overview
  • Harnessing AI to Expedite R&D
  • Delivering Data-Driven Value

Thierry Escudier, Portfolio Lead, Pistoia Alliance  

  • Accelerating Use of Real-World Data
  • Sustainability Driven R&D

Advancing Research: Reducing Animal Models in Experiments

“Advancing Research: Reducing Animal Models in Experiments” addresses the pressing need to reduce reliance on animal models in scientific research, particularly in light of the FDA Modernization Act 2.0. The event encompasses an overview of the current research environment, exploring innovative alternatives such as virtual control groups, organ-on-a-chip technology, and in-vitro methods.

AGENDA
  • Overview of the Current Environment
  • Virtual Control Groups
  • Organ-on-a-Chip Technology
  • In-Vitro Method Alternatives
  • The Validation of Alternative Approaches
  • Poll and Q&A

Pistoia Alliance Clinical Trials Carbon Footprint Project

A recently released white paper of the Health Systems task force of the Sustainable Market Initiative estimated the global clinical trial footprint to equal up to 100 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions a year. This is leading to environmentally conscious behaviors and increasing awareness around clinical trials specific impacts and leading the pharma industry to a need for measuring carbon footprint at a corporate level to meet corporate long-term sustainability objectives.

The collaborative Pistoia Alliance initiative is providing an opportunity for members from different companies for building a model in standardising the evaluation of carbon footprint. The rationale and objectives of this project will be detailed during the webinar

Agenda
  • Pistoia Alliance-Industry collaborative intiative to standardize carbon footprint evaluation of Decentralized clinical trials – Thierry Escudier & Dalila Nafi, Pistoia Alliance
  • Understanding Sustainability and clinical research – Jason Lanier, Janssen
  • Joining the dots and trade offs for sustainability in clinical trials – Carly Santer, Bayer
  • Saving the planet One site visit at a time- a tool to calculate the impact of clinical research associates’ travel – Aparna Srivistava, Syneos Health
  • Q&A