Happy 2014! Here is how the new year is shaping up for us so far. Our rotating editorial themes will remain much the same — but our manufacturing theme now shares the spotlight with increased visibility of analytical discussions. Our senior technical editor, Cheryl Scott, has highlighted specific methods in each issue of 2013 and will continue that throughout this year as well. For a list of her 2014 topics, take a look at our editorial calendar online at http://advertising.bioprocessintl.com/editorial-calendar (where you can also find out about our upcoming supplements and special reports). Each BPI Lab installment includes citations of past BPI articles in which the “method of the month” has been applied. Similar to our manufacturing theme that incorporates overarching quality functions as well as hands-on work in formulation and fill–finish, work with analytical methods is for many of you both outside of and integral to your day-to-day tasks. We realize the need to address such technologies as topics in and of themselves, especially in this quality-by-design era.

Our BioProcess Theater at the annual Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) convention is entering its eighth year, and we are already beginning to outline presentation themes for the June 2014 event in San Diego, CA. Please let us know if you would like to participate or simply to recommend a colleague. And we’re offering a new opportunity this year that builds on the success of that BIO theater format: A similar theater is in the works for Interphex, 18–29 March 2014, at the Jacob Javitz Center in New York, NY. That program should be nearly full by the time you receive this January issue. But if you plan to attend and/or exhibit at Interphex and would like to participate in our theater as well, then let us know as soon as possible. We are always looking for new viewpoints and interpretations for individual theater presentations as well as roundtable opportunities for both of those venues.

BPI Online Exclusive Content

BEST OF BPI: REVISITED
Establishing a Research Agenda in Bioproduction

In an audiocast with managing editor Maribel Rios, Rick Johnston (principal at Bioproduction Group), discusses his views on some changes in the biomanufacturing industry since his January 2008 article, “Establishing a Research Agenda in Bioproduction.” In that article, Johnston reviewed some of the industry’s operational challenges, including the need for supply chain reliability, uncertainty in demand and production processes, and variability in quality assurance and quality control. In the audiocast, he talks about steps the industry has taken toward addressing those issues. During the past five years, implementation of lean manufacturing strategies has become increasingly important. Johnston shares his perspectives on their effects on bioprocess operations today. Finally, Johnston provides insight into some key considerations that manufacturers should take into account when working toward achieving a research agenda.
www.bioprocessintl.com/bpiextra

Another important (and long overdue) change for us is coming this spring. You can expect a new and improved BioProcess Internationalwebsite, which is targeted for an April launch. We are making excellent progress, so that timeline does seem realistic for the moment (I say that crossing my fingers, of course, knowing how website launches can be). Over the past few years, our only way to expand our online offerings has been by launching satellite sites such as BPIDM.com for digital media. The new site will consolidate all of BPI’s editorial and digital content and enable us also to correct a few bugs in our article archives and related search functions.

One project that is already well under way is the launch of a biannual BPI Awards program. Unlike the 10-year focus of our anniversary awards program in 2012, our ongoing program will celebrate accomplishments from the preceding 18-month time span, focusing on three main categories that we generally describe as “people, places, and things.” I can say more about those details in next month’s editorial — but nominations will open this month and run through June, so you have plenty of time to look at the categories and think about who to nominate. Find more details at www.bioprocessintl.com/2014awards. I encourage all BPI readers, whether of our print or digital versions, to consider submitting nominations. This program is meant to honor those who are truly making a difference in our industry and in its ability to address the needs of patients around the globe. Whether nominated work occurs at a final manufacturing level or behind the scenes in process development and analytical support — and whether you nominate someone who works in an executive, technical, or scientific capacity — our program seeks to honor all those who contribute toward the success of our modern industry.

A couple of staffing changes should enable us to keep all these proverbial irons in the fire — and more. Alison Center has been providing editorial assistance on a freelance basis through the past year, and she will continue in that role for 2014. If you write for BPI, she will send information to you about the option to record your “author insight.” She is also working with me to contact many of the excellent speakers we learn about from the myriad conference programs that come our way. So if you are a presenter in 2014, either one of us may contact you about contributing an article.

Finally, next month we bid farewell to marketing manager Damon Mastandrea, who has worked with us for a number of years to build our electronic newsletters and other digital offerings. Without his thoughtful and skillful assistance (and good humor) we could not have successfully negotiated our anniversary awards balloting (that is, and remained sane in the process). And although we will miss him greatly, we are delighted to announce the return of our former managing editor, Leah Rosin, to BPI. Since 2008, she has been beefing up her skills in new media. So in her new role as our marketing and digital content strategist, she will work closely with both the editorial and sales/marketing staffs to further expand our shared approaches to online content development. Many of you may remember working with her in our magazine’s earlier years, so I hope you will join us in welcoming Leah back in February.