KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The challenges faced by small pharma and biotech companies are different to those faced by larger organisations.
• The network, support, and resources offered by ISMPP membership are invaluable for professionals in small pharma and biotech companies.

In the vast expanse of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors, professionals in small companies often navigate a unique set of challenges that set them apart from their counterparts in larger entities. With limited resources and often limited experience, they grapple with making significant impacts while ensuring compliance with best practices and adopting innovations in scientific communication. As a member centred association, the International Society for Medical Publication Professionals (ISMPP) well understands such barriers and acts as a source of guidance and information, helping these professionals connect with a community where they can learn from, and collaborate with, their peers.

Small pharma and biotech companies are hubs of innovation and creativity; however, the people who work in them encounter distinct challenges. For those new to publication management, the transition from academia or a shift from a different career path can be daunting without a structured onboarding process or access to tailored educational materials. Senior staff, on the other hand, often bear the weight of broader responsibilities and important decision making without the extensive functional teams found in larger organisations. These challenges are compounded by the fast paced nature of the industry, where staying abreast of the latest scientific communication practices is crucial yet time consuming

ISMPP stands out as a pivotal resource for these individuals, offering a rich tapestry of educational resources, networking opportunities, and professional development programmes specifically designed to address the needs of – and overcome the obstacles faced by – small pharma and biotech professionals, including:

• the recently launched ISMPP Academy meeting, established to fulfil the educational needs of those working in small pharma and biotech companies, as well as newer professionals, to be held 5–6 November 2024, in Philadelphia. Registration opens this summer!
• popular ISMPP University (ISMPP U) webinars, held monthly, cover timely and relevant medical publication and communication topics and trends
• online resources, podcasts, and newsletter articles that offer information about numerous topics, such as Good Publication Practice (GPP 2022) guidelines, and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the field, among many others
• the opportunity to earn the ISMPP Certified Medical Publication Professional™ (CMPP™) credential, sought after by many hiring employers in the industry.

“Working in the ever evolving world of medical and scientific publications, ISMPP has always supported me with up-to-date guidance and access to a network of peers navigating similar challenges. As I continue in my career, with ISMPP I never stop learning” – Tim Collinson, Senior Director, Global Medical & Scientific Communications at a mid-sized pharmaceutical company

Equally important, ISMPP has created a dedicated interactive online community for its members where professionals from small pharma and biotech companies can meet peers, ask questions, share insights and experiences, and discuss best practices. This collaborative environment not only engenders a sense of belonging, but also propels innovation, elevates the standards of scientific communication within the industry, and fills a peer-to-peer gap that many experience within small companies.

“ISMPP has become my go-to resource for most publication related questions. Beyond the educational offerings, I find the member forum particularly helpful for getting input from peers on how to professionally and compliantly handle tricky situations that may come up in our day-to-day. ISMPP gives me access to a wealth of expertise that goes way beyond my immediate team, which has helped me tremendously in implementing effective publication strategies at my company” – Tina Schlafly, PhD, CMPP, Director, Scientific Publications at Corcept Therapeutics, Inc

Beyond facilitating best practices, community, and professional development, ISMPP plays a crucial role in ensuring professionals in companies of all sizes are equipped to manage upcoming challenges. This has been recently evidenced by ISMPP’s amplifying debate around two distinct issues: patient engagement and AI. The impact of both is revolutionary, and ISMPP has responded with clear and balanced guidance to members through webinars, articles, position papers, and published work.

As the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors forge ahead and the environment continues to rapidly evolve, the support and resources provided by ISMPP will remain invaluable for professionals in smaller pharmaceutical, medical device, diagnostic and biotech companies. In conclusion, the unique challenges faced by professionals in small pharma and biotech companies call for a unique solution. ISMPP offers just that—a community dedicated to professional growth, innovation, and excellence in scientific communication. Joining ISMPP as a member is a step forward in one’s career; it is also taking a leap towards making a lasting impact in the industry.

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