Microsoft to Award the Use of Its Technology within the Pharmaceutical Industry

Microsoft is looking for nothing short of breakthroughs in the use of its technology by companies in the pharmaceutical industry. In this context, the 2009 Microsoft Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences Innovation Awards are designed to celebrate pharmaceutical and life sciences organizations that have embraced Microsoft software solutions in scenarios involving Discovery and Product Innovation, Sales and Marketing, Manufacturing and Supply Chain, Clinical Development. The Redmond company indicated that it is currently accepting entries for the awards.

The software giant revealed the first two award categories and the judging criteria associated with them. “Discovery and Product Innovation - this award recognizes technological innovation that enhances a pharmaceutical or life sciences corporation’s ability to deliver safer and more efficacious products to the market by reducing complexity, lowering cost, and enhancing the speed and quality of the discovery process. Sales and Marketing - this award recognizes technological innovation that enhances a pharmaceutical or life sciences corporation’s ability to inform and educate physicians and healthcare professionals, consumers, and insurance and benefits plan providers about the benefits, value and safety of the pharmaceutical and healthcare offerings produced.”

All entries will have to be submitted no later than 5 p.m. PDT on Monday, May 4, 2009. Microsoft is looking for companies based around the world in various fields from biotechnology, to developers of medical equipment and even to consumer health. In order to be eligible, organizations have to use a variety of Microsoft products including Microsoft BizTalk Server, the Microsoft Office system, Windows Mobile, Microsoft Surface, Microsoft SQL Server, etc. The software giant informed that the Drug Information Association’s annual event in San Diego would act as the stage where the winners of the 2009 Microsoft Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences Innovation Awards would be announced in June 2009.

The company enumerated the remaining award categories: “Manufacturing and Supply Chain - this award recognizes the use of innovative technology to improve a pharmaceutical or life sciences firm’s ability to expedite the delivery of products to consumers by reducing complexity and costs, improving productivity, and enhancing product life-cycle management, compliance, safety, quality and speed to use through advancements in manufacturing and supply chain,” the company added. “Clinical Development - the winner in this category will be the pharmaceutical or life sciences company demonstrating innovative use of Microsoft technologies in drug development, biotechnology, medical and diagnostic devices, or animal health and consumer health products, resulting in the company’s ability to improve time to market and quality during clinical trials, analysis and submission.”