Category: Uncategorized

INDIAN STARTUPS USE SMART PHONES TO DETECT DISEASES, by measuring glucose, heart proteins, and other markers, designed for point of care diagnostics for the developing world. It is almost certain that the early innovators of smartphones could not possibly have anticipated the multiplicity of uses that smart phones have been used for today. This is a great example of the unintended applications of technology, and a reminder to us all to imagine the unlikely. http://lnkd.in/VAk2zS View in LinkedIn

LINKEDIN NETWORKS ARE AN EXAMPLE OF A VALUABLE PICTOGRAM. Huge amounts of data sorted in a visually effective manner. http://lnkd.in/qmfZ-v View in LinkedIn

BRITAIN'S CLIMATE HAS DEFINITELY CHANGED. The long warm summers of my youth, with temperate and scented days are not just the fond memories of an older man, but an emerging fact. Today, the amount of rain has increased, dramatically, and flash-floods, which were unheard of, are not uncommon. The recent TV images of Cornish cars floating down a village river were deeply unsettling to me. This appears to really be more than just wistful thinking of a rose-colored youth. View in LinkedIn

THE SANOFI MAKEOVER IS IN PROCESS (WSJ MAY 3, 2013). Facing the Patent Cliff on a whopping 30% of their products in 2008, or nearly €800 M, today this has almost zeroed out. As part of the remake it adopted outsourcing and in-licensing (at last), took up an interest in rare diseases (the low hanging fruit are long gone), animal health, consumer medicine, and (of course) sales in emerging markets. Extreme pain can prompt even the most staid groups to take drastic steps to avoid a face-plant. View in LinkedIn

UNIT PRICING STARTED WITH NAILS. Nails used to be sold by the pound, until they appeared in tidy unit packs of small numbers, which quietly caused a large jump in price per pound. Cat food has followed the same trend with one serving units costing out at good quality steak per pound. This trend is inevitable in pharmaceuticals, and other commodities seeking to extract greater value per item. View in LinkedIn

THE ROVING KNIFE SHARPENER I MET HAD A LARGE TERRITORY ranging up and down the Spanish coast. This charming afilador had a small motorcycle rigged to also run his sharpening wheel, and he lived and . worked on this ancient motor. It was a throwback to a time bygone. Up and down the coast he had known customers for his entire life, often obtaining food and shelter in exchange for his services. A remarkable man, and a remarkable life. View in LinkedIn

CATALUNYA BOASTS A PROUD FOOD CULTURE, but there are traditional recipes that may die out. When we arrived, my wife and I dined at the famous Aigua Blava Hotel, and I ordered 'cod guts and pheasant'. I was sure that the translation had gone awry, and while waiting for the mystery dish to emerge, I asked the waiter if this may indeed be the case. Somewhat offended, he assured me this was not so, and I was subsequently given the recipe ( in Catalan). It proved to be spectacular, and prompted me to start collecting such gems. View in LinkedIn

ARRIVING IN LONDON IS ALWAYS A MIXED FEELING. This historic and remarkable city was once, somewhat briefly, my home. I have deep associations with it, and the surrounding counties where I lived for two and a half decades. But I am not treated as a Brit any more. Within seconds, taxi drivers will ask where I am from in the US, and I defensively offer to show my 'other' passport. But the truth is I am more Californian than British, and now for my sins, am posing as a Spaniard (badly). View in LinkedIn

SHARED DECISION MAKING APPS FOR NHS. http://lnkd.in/EBacmk View in LinkedIn

WEARABLE AND IMPLANTABLE MEDICINE OF THE FUTURE is the prediction of some Futurists. We are already seeing some of these elements developing. Enhanced APIs? Making Good Drugs Better? Compliance is at the heart of these clever initiatives, and will require our belabored Pharma friends to change the front end (sales and marketing) of their business as well as the back end (research). Big changes. http://lnkd.in/8qz9qs View in LinkedIn