The Institute of Clinical Research has announced an updated format to mark its 30th annual spring conference and exhibition next year, including four new conference streams and industry speakers.
The event is entitled 'Essential Updates and Lively Debates' and will be held at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Birmingham, UK, on 17-18 March 2009.
To mark the 30th anniversary, the ICR has responded to member feedback and updated the format of the conference and exhibition to feature speaker sessions across four specific streams - 'therapeutics', 'raising standards', 'sharing knowledge' and 'developing professionals'.
Both days of the conference will open with question and debate sessions covering controversial topics headed by Niall Dickson, chief executive of Kings Fund, and author and broadcaster Martin Ince, with panel members including Prof Karol Sikora, professor of cancer medicine at Imperial College London.
Sikora will also lead the 'therapeutic' stream, presenting on oncology alongside sessions on cardiovascular medicine and transplants.
The 'raising standards' stream includes a session focusing on quality versus productivity and Dr Eva Bagenholm, the chair of the World Medical Association's (WMA) Ethics Committee, will be presenting on the Declaration of Helsinki.
'Developing professionals' will feature an interactive Good Clinical Practice (GCP) 'question time' along with workshops on medical devices and project management.
'Sharing knowledge' will discuss adaptive study design, off-shoring clinical research and stem cell research.
The event has been redesigned to help it better suit those at all stages of their careers, from senior managers to those just entering the industry.
The restructured exhibition design will feature an exhibitor theatre where organisations will have 20 minutes to showcase their new ideas.
In addition, half-day passes will be available for the conference and ICR members will receive Continuing Professional Development points for all sessions attended.
