LifeScience Alley Programs & Events

Alley Chats Woodwinds Health Campus

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 08:00:00 GMT

Alley Chats is a networking event engaging LifeScience Alley members to collaborate in sharing resources, discussing topics of mutual interest, and improving the status of the industry. Join your colleagues for an evening of high impact networking hosted by HealthEast and Woodwinds Health Campus, a LifeScience Alley member.

The purpose of Alley Chats is to invite life science industry members to engage one another in order to collaborate in sharing resources. This is accomplished by sustaining a welcoming environment of open communication, sharing thoughts and expertise. Alley Chats is not an event for the marketing of products and services, other than those of its sponsors who enable the event; it is intended to be an attractive opportunity to network with colleagues in the life science industry.

Statistics for Quality, Part 2 - Screening Experiments - The Heart of DOE

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 08:00:00 GMT

Statistics for Quality is a sequence of programs geared toward technical individuals who deal with data and make decisions based upon data. This audience includes scientists, engineers, technicians, and personnel from research and development, manufacturing, quality, analytical, engineering, supply management, and regulatory affairs departments. Statistic green belts and black belts will both benefit from this series of programs. Each program stands alone and is not a prerequisite for the next program in the series. A LifeScience Alley Statistics for Quality Certificate will be issued for those who complete the six-part series.

Program 2: Screening Experiments - The Heart of DOE

Product and process development requires identification of key factors that control product and process performance. Screening experiments efficiently identify key factors and interactions. They provide a way to optimize product and process designs, and to troubleshoot manufacturing. Screening experiments are the most important class of designed experiments (DOE), and help shorten development cycle time and costs.

Unfortunately, much product and process development proceeds using one-factor-at-a-time or other ad-hoc experimentation strategies - approaches that provide less information at higher cost. On the other hand, there are any number of examples where screening experiments, properly applied, have resulted in - making a better cake, brewing a better beer, improving drug formulations, reducing development cycle times, designing robust measurement systems, and improving the accuracy and consistency of ammunition.

The purpose of this seminar is to provide practical guidance on the effective use of screening experiments, by answering questions such as:

1. Why design experiments?
2. What are factorial designs?
3. What to think about to make the screening experiment successful?
4. How to evaluate a large number of factors with a fractional factorial design?
5. How to design robust products and processes?
6. How to easily implement screening experiments using software?

Statistics for Quality, Part 5 - Managing and Improving Processes

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 07:00:00 GMT

Statistics for Quality is a sequence of programs geared toward technical individuals who deal with data and make decisions based upon data. This audience includes scientists, engineers, technicians, and personnel from research and development, manufacturing, quality, analytical, engineering, supply management, and regulatory affairs departments. Statistic green belts and black belts will both benefit from this series of programs. Each program stands alone and is not a prerequisite for the next program in the series. A LifeScience Alley Statistics for Quality Certificate will be issued for those who complete the six-part series.

Program 5: Managing and Improving Processes

Control charts are implemented in manufacturing with the hope of improving manufacturing processes. But control charts can deliver on this promise only if the manufacturing process meets certain criteria. Capability and performance indices can be used as an at-a-glance-display to rapidly determine whether the process meets these criteria, namely, where control charts may be the effective process management tool and where other statistical tools need to be used. Variance components analysis is one such statistical tool that provides the detailed information necessary to make cost effective process improvements.

Using the ideas presented here the manufacturing department of one company was able to quickly develop and implement a focused quality improvement plan. The quality department of another company reduced their voluminous quarterly quality reports while simultaneously getting greater management attention to the true quality issues. Yet another company changed the type of control chart to reduce frustrating and unproductive intervention by production operators. The west coast operation of a company made a dramatic turn around from having lost a major customer to being declared the financially most successful operation within the company.

The purpose of this seminar is to provide practical guidance on the use of statistical tools to cost-effectively manage and improve processes by answering questions such as:
1. What is the logic behind control charts and how to select the proper chart?
2. What are the four process capability and performance indices?
3. How to use these indices as an at-a-glance-display to manage and improve processes?
4. How to use variance components analysis to estimate the % of variability caused by each cause?
5. How to target variance reduction efforts most cost-effectively?
6. How to use software to implement this methodology?

Create, Innovate, or Evaporate: Creativity & Breakthrough Innovation

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 07:00:00 GMT

Can creativity be taught? That's a controversial question resulting in strongly held views. Dr. Edward de Bono's Thinking Methods are a set of systematic tools that are taught to individuals from diverse disciplines. Let's examine how one set of tools--the Six Thinking Hat toolset - is applied to new product development. We'll then examine a second set of tools - the Lateral Thinking toolset - to create some provocative ideas. Then you can see for yourself whether creativity can be taught.

Marketing Think: What Is It, Who Has It, and Who Doesn't?

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 07:00:00 GMT

The marketer with marketing think is an important profitability and growth contributor who brings together a unique combination of the art and science of marketing. This includes strong academic, experiential and instinctive skills. This workshop documents the business value of a true marketing professional and identifies specific examples of marketing benchmark-skills for three of fifteen key essential competencies. The workshop also identifies the diverse skill levels, strengths and weaknesses, from a variety of professional backgrounds that enter into marketing.

Alley Chats Boat Cruise 2008

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 07:00:00 GMT

Join your colleagues for an evening of high impact networking while enjoying a relaxing cruise on Lake Minnetonka aboard the Queen of the Excelsior. This is a members only event and fills up quickly, so register today!

The purpose of Alley Chats is to invite life science industry members to engage one another in order to collaborate in sharing resources. This is accomplished by sustaining a welcoming environment of open communication, sharing thoughts and expertise. Alley Chats is not an event for the marketing of products and services, other than those of its sponsors who enable the event; it is intended to be an attractive opportunity to network with colleagues in the life science industry.

19th Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 07:00:00 GMT

For two decades, the Scholarship Golf Tournament has provided a terrific opportunity for team building, networking, and fund-raising. The Alley Institute Scholarship Golf Tournament is designed to raise money to help students pursue life sciences careers. We use a scramble format so players of all abilities can participate, and the day concludes with an awards banquet where players can network. Alley Institute is committed to provide actionable solutions to help increase the awareness of career options in the life sciences, and to help ease the work force shortage in these specialized fields. Raising funds through the Scholarship Golf Tournament is a tangible way to make a difference in this effort.

The 2008 Scholarship Golf Tournament will be held September 8 at the Golden Valley Golf and Country Club.

Thank you to our sponsors to date:
AllOut Marketing, Inc.
Patterson, Thuente, Skaar & Christensen, P.A.
Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.
Fish & Richardson, P.C.
RCRI, Inc.
Smiths Medical MD, Inc.

View sponsorship information and Player Registration Form.

Accelerate Program: Strengthening Your Supply-Chain Relationships

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 07:00:00 GMT

Join us for this special education program and Alley Chats in St. Cloud! As pressures continue to mount on OEMs and suppliers in the LifeScience industry, both are recognizing that speed and flexibility are the keys to reducing supply chain risk. Come learn about a supplier development initiative designed to build on continuous improvement processes - Accelerate!

John Connelly, director of product management for Enterprise Minnesota, will share his expertise about the Accelerate! system - a powerful process where OEMs and suppliers are working together to better manage their supply chain. Immediately after the presentation, participants will have an opportunity to attend the quarterly Alley Chats Networking Event* at no additional cost. Please call Lauren Steffel at 952-542-3077 for details.

The Accelerate! system helps build a better, collaborative relationship between supplier and OEM. Improving this relationship leads to a better supply-chain, increased productivity and reductions in inefficiencies. OEMs and suppliers have realized shorter cash-to-cash cycles, reduced inventories, increased asset utilization, and optimized cash flow because of the model. Average improvements among the 160 small-to-midsize suppliers that have participated include:
- Fifty percent reduction in Manufacturing Critical-path Time (MCT)
- Ten-fold increase in inventory turns
- Significant cost savings

For Harley-Davidson, flexibility and responsiveness are becoming more and more critical in our business. We have seen phenomenal results from Accelerate, and I am particularly encouraged by the level of permanence the approach has: culture and performance are both changing for the better.
-Matt Levatich, Vice President Materials Manufacturing, Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Inc.

*Alley Chats Networking Events provide a forum for LifeScience Alley members to collaborate, share resources, discuss topics of mutual interest, and improve the status of the industry.

The Science of Market Development

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 07:00:00 GMT

This 2.5-day course will provide an in-depth, hands-on experience intended to provide a clear understanding of the roadmap to standard of care for medical technologies. It is designed to deliver key insights and practical tools that participants can use immediately to help accelerate market adoption and growth over the short and long term. The concepts and tools will be discussed in the context of both U.S. and international markets and their unique (and common) barriers. This course content is applicable to all medical technologies whether they are at concept, newly released, struggling to grow, seemingly fast tracking, or mature.

Agenda:
September 16th Registration 7:30-8:00 am, Program 8:00-5:00 pm
September 17th, Program 8:00-5:00 pm
September 18th, Program 8:00-12:00 pm

View Detailed Program Agenda

Expected outcomes:
- Common language, proven approach, and standard measures of Market Development
- Clear understanding of the roadmap to standard of care for medical technologies
- Clear understanding of the barriers, typical pitfalls/challenges and best practices
- Practical tools and methods to accurately size the opportunity and forecast adoption and growth rates
- Clear understanding of the 5 market development stages and what is required to move from stage to stage
- Practical tools and methods to help you assess your existing technology, understand the priority barriers, and develop high impact strategies and tactics

The intended audience for this program includes, seasoned medical device marketing and market development professionals and leaders, senior leaders of small or medium size medical device companies, and anyone interested in gaining a better understanding of the elements and process of taking a medical technology to standard of care.

Consumer-Driven Health Care: Rewarding Valued Care

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 07:00:00 GMT

LifeScience Alley's Crossroads Series will delve into payment reform that takes its cues from the Consumer-Driven Health Care movement. The September 17 program Rewarding Valued Care will feature a keynote address by Tony Miller, CEO of Carol - a disruptive health care technology company based in Minnesota.

This subject is attracting a great deal of attention and momentum, as health consumer advocates, policy makers and the public in general look to turn the tables on how financial rewards should be realigned. The new paradigm, in their eyes, will provide incentives for preventive health, transparency and a focus on the whole person. In order for such a change to occur, it will take a multi-faceted approach with a shared goal involving committed leaders in our life science and health care community.

Following Miller's keynote presentation, a panel of experts - including leading employers, health care providers, insurers and policy makers - will discuss what it will take to get the ball rolling in Minnesota and make it stick. This will have implications for the manufacturers of therapeutics - devices and drugs - as well as payers, health care providers, patients and public policymakers. Most of all, it promises improvements in patient health.

Lead Sponsor: Larsen Design
In-Kind Sponsor: Travelers Insurance

Program Location: Jackson Room - Travelers Insurance Headquarters (Downtown St. Paul)
Ramp parking within 2 blocks

Competitive Intelligence

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 07:00:00 GMT

This full-morning program will begin with an introduction of competitive intelligence (CI). The second part of the program will focus on the application of competitive intelligence principles to business practices with examples. This program will be applicable for a broad spectrum of businesses from services to providers to payors to manufacturers. The following topics will be addressed:

- What is CI?
- Why does a company need to practice CI?
- How do you get started with CI?
- Examples of how CI is being applied.

Members of SCIP (Society of Competitive Intelligence Professionals) may register at the LifeScience Alley member rate.

Statistics for Managers

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 07:00:00 GMT

Statistics for Managers is a seminar geared toward technical managers in industry - supervisors, managers, directors, vice presidents and other technical leaders - from research and development, manufacturing, quality, engineering, supplier management, and regulatory affairs departments.

To guide effective implementation of statistical methods, managers need to know what the key statistical tools accomplish, their pros and cons, when to use which tool, and what questions to ask to promote the timely and effective use of statistics. This seminar communicates the key concepts of 16 practically useful statistical tools and how they apply to the various stages of R&D and Manufacturing - research, product design, process design, validation, manufacturing and continuous improvement.

The purpose of this seminar is to provide practical guidance on how to effectively guide and implement statistical methods, by answering questions such as:

1. Why not to use a t-test and what to replace it with?
2. Size matters - how much data to collect?
3. Why design experiments - is it not going to cost too much and take too long?
4. What is the key to designing robust products and processes?
5. Setting specifications - arbitrary or is there a method to it?
6. What must you know to properly design process validation studies and acceptance sampling plans?
7. Controlling processes - does my process have fever?
8. One minute process management - how to use an at-a-glance-display?
9. Getting lucky - how to find causes of variability by just looking systematically?
10. Is my measurement system acceptable - and how to improve it?

Statistics for Variance Reduction, Part 1: Finding Causes of Variation

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 07:00:00 GMT

Statistics for Variance Reduction is a program geared toward technical individuals in industry: scientists, engineers, and personnel from research and development, manufacturing, quality, engineering, supplier management, and regulatory affairs departments. Green belts and black belts will also benefit.

Program 1: Finding Causes of Variation
Considerable effort in industry is directed toward reducing variability. Variability is caused either by changes in control factors or by changes in uncontrolled or noise factors. Cost effective variance reduction strategy can be implemented by (a) understanding the extent and consequences of variability, (b) identifying key causes of variability and (c) estimating the contribution of each cause to the overall variability. Without such an assessment, it is difficult to properly target variance reduction efforts. For example, if the moisture content of the final product varies, it is necessary to know the percent of variability in moisture caused by batches of purchased raw material, by the in-house manufacturing process and by the moisture measurement system. Without such an understanding it would be difficult to say whether the variance reduction efforts should be focused on the supplier, the manufacturing process or the measurement system. As another example, engineers at a major company thought that the old in-house equipment was responsible for product variability. Implementation of the methodology presented in this seminar resulted in the identification of the real cause, saving over half-million dollars in unnecessary capital expenditures.

The purpose of this seminar is to provide practical guidance on how to efficiently find the key causes of variation, by answering questions such as:
1. How to quantify variability and its economic consequence?
2. What data to collect to identify key causes of variability?
3. How to analyze the data to estimate the contribution of each cause to the overall variability?
4. How to plan cost-effective variance reduction efforts?
5. How to easily implement the methodology using software?

Statistics for Variance Reduction, Part 2: Designing Robust Products and Processes

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 07:00:00 GMT

Statistics for Variance Reduction is a program geared toward technical individuals in industry: scientists, engineers, and personnel from research and development, manufacturing, quality, engineering, supplier management, and regulatory affairs departments. Green belts and black belts will also benefit.

Program 2: Designing Robust Products and Processes
One important objective in industry is to design and develop products and processes that are robust - that deliver on-target performance in the presence of large variation in raw material and process factors and customer usage conditions. Such robust designs achieve high quality at low cost by permitting wide tolerances for purchased material and manufacturing conditions. They also increase market share by permitting wider customer usage conditions. However, building robustness in product and process designs requires a different approach to product and process development - in terms of the strategy of experimentation and methods of data analysis.

The purpose of this seminar is to provide practical guidance on how to design robust products and processes, by answering questions such as:
1. What is the key principle of achieving robustness?
2. How to structure control by noise factor experiments?
3. How to analyze the data to design robust products and processes?
4. Two major examples: How to build robustness with known and unknown noise factors?
5. What changes to the product development process are necessary to implement the methodology?
6. How to easily implement the methodology using software

Cardiac Valves: Past, Present, and Future

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 08:00:00 GMT

The Second Annual Bakken Surgical Device Symposium will be held December 8-9, 2008. This program will explore the early innovations and current practice with an eye to future developments in cardiac valve design and technique.

7th Annual Conference & Expo

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 08:00:00 GMT

7th Annual LifeScience Alley Conference & Expo
December 10, 2008
Minneapolis, MN Convention Center

This event brings together life science leaders from Minnesota and around the world. Attendees of this annual conference represent the medical device, health care, pharmaceutical, biopharma, agricultural and industrial biotechnology and renewable energy sectors.

This conference showcases widely respected speakers, world renowned companies and research institutions, new technologies, and juried poster sessions. It provides access to top industry leaders, opportunities to build your business or research through education and networking, with insights into current trends, regulations, research and emerging technologies. Based on past history, this year's conference is expected to draw more than 1,500 attendees from over 25 states and a dozen countries.

Conference Highlights:

Four general keynote sessions
Seven concurrent tracks/21 educational seminars
New Technology Showcase
Innovation & Collaboration Center with meeting rooms
Exhibit Hall featuring 190 exhibitors
Juried poster session
Holiday Alley Chats Networking Reception in the Expo Hall

Sponsorships and exhibit space are selling out fast! See who has already signed up!

A registration brochure is available to download. Visit the conference website for more information and to register.