A Time for Change

Essentially Peter Gates, Director of IT Research and Early Development at Johnson & Johnson, is responsible for informatics used in supporting research. Using Johnson & Johnson’s proprietary software, as well as a database framework that has its roots in a company acquired by Johnson & Johnson in 2003, 3-Dimensional Pharmaceuticals, Gates makes sure that the databases work at top capacity.

Current challenges, according to Gates, are the same that everyone in pharma faces – namely trying to better organize information that is used to make decisions in order to advance projects into the clinic faster. “We’re now trying to model the structure of information all the way through the data life cycle of pharma R&D,” comments Gates. “At the heart of what we are trying to solve is improving the decision making process and delivering better outcomes to patients.”

In order to succeed in his mission, Gates believes the most important thing he can do is design for change. In doing this he is building software frameworks that are developed in order to be adapted. By building them in ways that allow change in one area without negatively impacting other parts, the system can grow faster as it becomes larger. “As the system gets larger, more complicated and interconnected, it’s impractical to improve the whole system,” explains Gates, “you have to be able to isolate those pieces.” From an engineering standpoint it’s all about managing change due to the quickly changing nature of research.

For Gates integrating information from different stages in the life cycle is a hot topic and data life cycle management is the new buzzword surrounding it. As an example Gates uses how in vitro efficacy data is integrated with data around animal models. Gates: “How do we bring ADME data in at an appropriate time and render it in such a way that allows people to visualize it together, in a collection of pieces of information that are appropriate for making a decision in a project team meeting? These are the questions we face”

In terms of optimizing productivity Gates points to two concepts. Firstly, he is quick to point out that connecting up individuals with the things they are passionate about so that they come to work with enthusiasm and really want to contribute to the team is key. In fact he names this as one of his biggest challenges – making sure people are doing the right job. Secondly, Gates mentions the different issues around globalizing research that Johnson & Johnson are exploring. “J&J are increasingly looking at research sites in other countries and how we can co-ordinate what we do here in the US and in Europe with these alternate sites,” says Gates. “It will require a long-term investment and will only be successful if we work at it deliberately.”

The progress that is being made within data life cycle management is slow although Gates believes that is to be expected as bridging across the boundaries is a huge organizational challenge. However, Gates is excited about the future role of information technology in supporting pharmaceutical research and development and believes that there are many good concepts in the pipeline. “There are a lot of pressures to keep costs under control but I think this will bring out the best of the survivors – although it is painful seeing our colleagues losing their jobs on a regular basis,” predicts Gates. “It’s a painful time in one sense but also a time of change – the natural selection process will produce interesting results.”

About the contributor

Peter Gates received his PhD in Physiology and Biophysics at Rush University in Chicago in 1989 and did a post-doc at the Mayo Foundation studying the electrophysiology of ocular epithelia. He spent four years working for Sterling Winthrop Pharmaceutical Research Division. He subsequently spent four years working as an independent contractor in both large and small companies including Rhone-Poulenc Rorer, SmithKline Beecham and Affymetrix. In 1998, Gates went on to work for Emax Solution Partners. In 2000, Gates took a position with 3-Dimensional Pharmaceuticals Inc. managing database technology for the biotech startup. Three years later Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development L.L.C. acquired 3-Dimensional Pharmaceuticals. Gates is currently responsible for database efforts in support of both the Advanced Biological and Chemical Discovery (ABCD) program and the J&J PRD Spring House Research Site.