Tim Hardman

Dr Tim Hardman, managing director, Niche Science and Technology Ltd

What do you do? and what is a typical week for you?

I run a small contract research organisation who are specialists in regulatory writing, scientific communications and clinical project management.

A typical week often involves dealing with general tasks involved with running any small company – staffing, wages, human resources, finances etc.

Outside administration, I spend my time meeting with people who work in the pharmaceutical industry or members of the clinical research community to discuss opportunities for potential collaboration. Once I understand what is needed I develop plans for how we can overcome these challenges. I provide the client with competitive quotes, ensuring it is possible to differentiate our quotes from those of much larger multinational competitors.

I am also responsible for maintaining relationships with exiting clients. At each stage of project delivery, I like to discuss their development plans in terms of resource requirements, the regulatory and clinical challenges they may be facing and how we might provide them with efficient solutions.

What qualifications and experience do you have?

My BSc was in Physiology & Pharmacology (Leeds Uni) after which I worked at Westminster Medical School. Employed in the labs as a Medical Laboratory Science Office (MLSO), I developed clinical assays for novel drug compounds while studying for my PhD in the Department of Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics.

As a post-doc I worked with several clinical groups, researching how cell membranes adjust and contribute to the symptomology of metabolic diseases. The department closed in 1998, after which I spent a few years working for medical writing companies. I set up Niche Science & Technology Ltd in 1998 with a view to serving the pharmaceutical industry.

What’s the most interesting aspect of your job?

As the first point of contact for our company I get to speak to potential clients about the cutting edge clinical science they are involved in. It can be exciting to talk about new treatment paradigms for diabetes one moment and the next, changes to the regulatory landscape.

Scientists that work in early drug development are often highly enthusiastic and well motivated, filled with a contagious energy and eagerness to drive their research forward. It is a pleasure and a privilege to hear about their work and, when appropriate, find ways that our company can get involved and add value.

The most interesting aspect of my job comes from navigating a pathway through scientific, regulatory, resourcing and employee growth requirements to deliver projects that go beyond the perceived requirements of our clients.

What are your research interests?

I still have a keen interest in how cell membranes are intimately involved in the pathophysiology of metabolic disease. I regularly review the literature to see how current developments fit with my earlier research.

In the last few years I have taken an interest in patient stratification in terms of how conditions can affect different patients differently. To that end, Niche is looking at how aging affects people differently (in how frail they may become) and how asthmatic patients respond differently to standard treatment paradigms.

What one piece of advice would you give to someone seeking a career in clinical pharmacology?

I would advise someone seeking a career in clinical pharmacology that exciting research is happening everywhere and you should search for something that you can find stimulating and follow it.



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