Medical Device Link.

Originally Published IVD Technology January/February 2005

Tenth Anniversary

Ten years ago, President Bill Clinton was in the midst of his first term. Mel Gibson was the talk of the town in Hollywood with his Academy Award–winning movie, Braveheart. In Super Bowl XXIX, the San Francisco 49ers defeated the San Diego Chargers by a score of 49-26 to become the first team to win five Super Bowl championships.

It was also 10 years ago when the premiere issue of IVD Technology magazine was published. Since then, IVD Technology has established itself as the preeminent journal covering the IVD industry.
IVD Technology’s 10th anniversary is an important milestone for not only the magazine but also for the IVD industry. This year, the magazine will be commemorating its 10th anniversary in a number of ways, beginning with this article. In keeping with the “10” theme, this article looks at 10 ways in which IVD Technology has contributed to the IVD industry.

1. The Only Game in Town

The IVD industry is a unique subgroup of medical device manufacturers who deserve their own special forum for advancing the technological discoveries and achievements in IVD testing. Since its inception, IVD Technology has satisfied this need as the only publication completely devoted to covering the IVD industry. The magazine has provided IVD manufacturers with essential information not available in other clinical and medical journals. No other magazine understands the specific issues involved in IVD development as well as IVD Technology.

“There is not another publication that is totally dedicated to the IVD industry, its issues, and current topics. That alone makes it valuable,” says Katie Smith, PhD, senior director of diagnostics clinical research and regulatory affairs at Prometheus Laboratories Inc. (San Diego) and a member of IVD Technology’s editorial advisory board. “Other publications are not as up-to-date on the current issues of importance to the IVD industry.”

2. Providing a Community

The interdisciplinary nature of the IVD industry requires successful execution across a broad range of areas. The industry is very diverse, and it produces a large number of different types of devices. Bringing together the various parties involved in the IVD industry under one umbrella is a challenge. Nonetheless, IVD Technology has given such parties a common voice, and provided a community and an outlet for IVD manufacturers.

“IVD Technology has served an important function by offering a forum that is accessible to everyone on IVD-related matters,” says Jeff Gibbs, JD, a director at Washington-based law firm Hyman, Phelps & McNamara and a member of IVD Technology’s editorial advisory board. “The magazine has provided a sense of cohesiveness to the IVD industry by giving people a common reference point. This opportunity to have individuals simultaneously receive the same information promotes such cohesiveness for an industry that is divided into multiple segments.”

3. Making an Impact

As a voice for the IVD industry, IVD Technology has influenced changes and developments in the industry. During the past 10 years, the magazine has become well regarded and widely read, such that IVD Technology articles are referenced and quoted at industry meetings. Realizing this recognition the magazine has attained, industry figures have utilized IVD Technology as a means to share ideas with and deliver important messages to their industry colleagues.

“IVD Technology has made a substantial contribution to the IVD industry by providing its readers with insights into new, state-of-the-art IVD technologies as well as the current state of affairs in the IVD business and regulatory environments,” says Tom Tsakeris, president and founder of Devices and Diagnostics Consulting Group Inc. (Rockville, MD) and a member of IVD Technology’s editorial advisory board. “In addition, the magazine has enabled industry thought leaders to communicate more easily their visions of the industry’s future.”

4. Getting Started

IVD Technology was first published in January 1995 as a supplement inside Medical Device & Diagnostic Industry magazine. The idea of publishing such a magazine devoted to covering the IVD industry emerged through a collaborative effort that was based on input from various industry sources.

“While we would like to take sole credit for its inception, IVD Technology is actually of broad-based parentage,” wrote Bill Cobert, IVD Technology’s publisher, in the first issue. “Representatives from industry associations, government agencies, manufacturers, and suppliers all urged us to publish a magazine specifically for the IVD industry.”

It soon became evident that IVD Technology had its own unique audience that was large enough to justify a completely separate publication. One year later, in January 1996, IVD Technology was spun off and became an independent publication. Initially published on a bi-monthly basis, the magazine is now published nine times a year. In addition, IVD Technology’s circulation has increased by nearly 40% during the past 10 years.

5. Offering Information and Education

IVD Technology has become a valuable tool for researchers who want to stay abreast of key areas of development in the diagnostics arena. The magazine has helped those involved in the IVD industry by providing the most up-to-date information that may be critical to their businesses. IVD companies have also been using IVD Technology as a successful learning and training resource.

“Staying involved with IVD Technology has encouraged me to grow professionally,” says Jane Scott Fields, a senior scientist at Roche Molecular Systems (Branchburg, NJ) and a member of IVD Technology’s reader board. “The new technologies sections in the magazine spark conversations with my colleagues on possible applications that perhaps are not mentioned in the articles. The publication also serves as a reminder for me to stay current with new areas being explored and developed. In addition, I use appropriate IVD Technology articles as mentoring tools for our junior staff.”

6. Covering a Wide Range

Reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of the IVD industry, IVD Technology has a broad editorial scope and covers a wide spectrum of topic areas, such as scientific, regulatory, and business aspects of the industry. The magazine offers something to everyone, including articles for less-experienced people who are trying to learn more about manufacturing IVDs, as well as for more-experienced individuals who want to expand their knowledge base. IVD Technology has also helped people stay up-to-date with many issues that may not be part of their daily responsibilities.

“The IVD industry covers a very broad range of technologies and applications,” says Jerry McVicker, PhD, manager of research and development at Midland BioProducts Corp. (Boone, IA) and a member of IVD Technology’s reader board. “I have been very impressed with the way each issue of IVD Technology covers this diverse field with very informative articles written by industry experts.”

7. Staying on the Cutting Edge
In addition to covering a wide variety of topics, IVD Technology prides itself for being on the forefront in discussing emerging technologies. The magazine has maintained its awareness of new technology trends in various fields, such as molecular diagnostics, automation, nonclinical applications, and biodefense. IVD Technology’s editorial staff attains some of this information and insight into new trends by attending industry conferences such as those held by the American Association for Clinical Chemistry (Washington, DC).

“IVD Technology is a very cutting-edge journal,” says David Carville, PhD, president of Causeway Scientific (Mishawaka, IN) and a member of IVD Technology’s reader board. “For example, the articles regarding at-home testing and sampling for diabetes and HIV were reported in IVD Technology before the mainstream media. The magazine also reports on many other cutting-edge technologies, such as BSE testing and the quest for diagnostics for anthrax and other biological issues.”

8. Buyers Guide

In October 1997, IVD Technology published the first-of-its-kind buyers guide to products and services for the developers and manufacturers of IVDs. Since then, the magazine has continued to publish its annual buyers guide.

The IVD Technology buyers guide provides a sourcebook for IVD manufacturers who, for example, need to find a source of critical reagents or a maker of electronic instrumentation circuitry. The buyers guide includes verified and up-to-date information on supplier companies, all categorized and indexed for easy reference. The buyers guide is also divided into nine sections, covering each of the major categories of products and services purchased by IVD manufacturers.

The buyers guide also exists as an interactive, Web-based system. IVD manufacturers seeking to get updated information about materials and components used in IVDs can access the online listings via the IVD Technology Web site at www.devicelink.com/ivdt.

9. Promoting Business Ties

In addition to providing the most current information regarding the IVD industry, IVD Technology has contributed to the growth of the industry by facilitating business contacts, partnerships, and developments. Such growth has been fostered through editorial contributions and involvement on the magazine’s boards. Some authors have benefited from the contacts they have had with prospective clients who read their articles in IVD Technology.

“Being more closely involved with IVD Technology has provided the opportunity for our company to get more involved in the IVD community in the United States,” says Ian Macfarlane, PhD, vice president at Invetech USA (San Francisco, CA) and a member of IVD Technology’s reader board. “Consequently, we have made a number of useful contacts and sold two projects because of IVD Technology. This has been through writing articles and through contacts made due to my role on the reader board.”

10. A Little Help from Our Friends

IVD Technology would never have reached the level of success and recognition it has achieved if not for the continued participation, involvement, and support of its editorial advisory board and reader board members. Past and present board members are leaders and experts in their respective fields, and represent the top companies in the industry. They have provided valuable advice and technical input that help to shape the approach and content of every issue.

“The editorial advisory board and the reader board are essential in the editorial process because the members are able to recommend authors and topics that are important and timely,” says McVicker. “I am honored to serve on the reader board, and I hope that the members will continue to contribute to the publication of a high-quality magazine.”

Conclusion

IVD Technology will be observing its 10th anniversary throughout the year. For example, every issue will feature a top-10 list related to developments in the IVD industry. The April 2005 issue will be a special 10th anniversary issue that will highlight the important events in IVD manufacturing during the past 10 years.

With more emerging technologies, the continued development of molecular diagnostics, and the promise of personalized medicine, studies are projecting a bright future for the IVD industry. The editors of IVD Technology look forward to contributing even more to the continued growth of the IVD industry.

Richard Park is editor of IVD Technology.

Copyright ©2005 IVD Technology