The FDA uses select committees and panels – called “Ad Comms” in industry parlance - to help obtain independent advice on scientific, technical and policy matters. Going before an FDA advisory committee can represent a critical milestone for a life science company with years of R&D and potentially millions of dollars of related costs on the line. Communications professionals are an integral part of the preparation for this meeting; helping ensure its success. Recognizing and evaluating those factors that are most relevant to your company; as well as helping design an effective presentation are areas in which communications can influence this process. Of course, media interaction is also a key component of this process as communications professionals must engage reporters who take an active role in reporting this news, which can also include tweeting, blogging and texting live from the meeting.

Join us as a panel of life science communications professionals and industry reporters will discuss the importance of these meetings, the interaction between the two sides of the “news equation,” and the roles of each during this process.

Panelists:

• Zach Barber, Vertex
• Geoff Curtis, Weisscomm Group
• Mike Huckman, MSL Group
• Adam Feuerstein, TheStreet
• Amy Reilly, Cubist
• Steve Usdin, BioCentury

• Megan Pace, Vertex

PLEASE NOTE:

Please be sure to bring photo ID with you to get into the building.

Parking & Transportation options:

Parking is limited so public transit is encouraged.

EZ Ride: Take the free shuttle free (for people with a sticker, otherwise $2.00/person) that departs from North Station & Kendall Square.   http://www.charlesrivertma.org/program_ezride_outbound.htm

Red Line: Take Red Line to Central Square, walk 15 minutes.

PARKING: Most of the parking in this area is on-street, on both Sidney Street and Waverly Street.

On-street parking is limited to 2 hours. Please avoid resident-only parking. Vertex can not be responsible for any fines our visitors incur.

Some parking may be available at the Erie St. garage. Attendees must bring garage ticket into building for validation.