we'll be back next week at the >>> i'm steve usdin.come to "biocentury this week." >>> your trusted source for biotechnology information and analysis. "biocentury this week." >>> after the elections, regardless of the outcome, the first order of business in washington will be steering clear of

i'm steve usdin. welcome to "biocentury this week." >>> human clinical trials. studies required to show the safety and efficacy of new medicines are incredibly expensive. drug companies spend $31 billion a year on trials according to the president's council advisories on science and technology. trials must become more efficient to make drug development more affordable. but more than cost cutting is needed for clinical research to meet the needs of medicine. there aren't enough patient volunteers. too many studies don't generate useful information. and many fail because of design problems. the inefficiencies caused by outmod

how families are advancing the i'm steve usdin. welcome to "biocentury this week." >>> your trusted source for biotechnology information and analysis. "biocentury this week." >>> few families face challenges as painful and daunting as learning that a child has been struck by a serious disease. the news can be even worse when the disease is rare. all too often there are no effective treatments. funding for research is scarce. ignorance about the underlying causes slows progress and there are few financial incentives for industry to create new drugs. but parents aren't standing still. they're taking responsibility for overcoming all of these barriers, for their own children and for future generations. nancy goodman's son jacob died in 2009 from brain cancer. she brought mothers of children with cancer to capitol hill and persuaded congress to create incentives for industry to invest in drugs for