Published on 2/1/2019 12:00:00 AM
Sandeep Dutta, PhD, Executive Director, Global Head, Clinical Pharmacology and Modeling & Simulations, Amgen, Clinical Pharmacology and Modeling & Simulations, Thousand Oaks, CA
Over the past 2 decades, Dr. Dutta has attended almost every ASCPT Annual Meeting. For him, the Meeting presents a single source of being up‐to‐date on any new advancement in clinical pharmacology as well as relevant regulations for novel study designs, drug‐drug interactions, special populations, safety evaluations in health volunteers, and data sciences. He views it as the preferred venue for clinical pharmacologists and translational scientists for dissemination and socialization of new data, information, and relevant regulations. He looks forward to the opportunity to interact with the best clinical pharmacologists in the world. Every year he meets many bright young scientists for the first time. His attendance at the Meeting, as well as the ASCPT family of journals, have benefited Dr. Dutta's career as his primary source for keeping abreast of the scientific advancements in clinical pharmacology and translational medicine and the evolving regulatory environment.
The most exciting and attractive aspects of the role of the clinical pharmacologist are to observe, contribute, and drive the clinical development of a new drug from first‐in‐human through to the life of the product in humans. Dr. Dutta explains that it all starts with translating preclinical information for selection of doses for safe and efficient single ascending dose/multiple ascending dose study designs, to selection doses for phase II/III for optimal balance of efficacy/safety, and finally for safe use in patients on concomitant medications and comorbidities. This is what drew Dr. Dutta to the field.
As a clinical pharmacologist, the most important contribution to patient care is the work done for the selection of the dose and dosing regimen of a drug and to individualizing therapy for patients with comorbidities and on poly‐therapy. During Dr. Dutta's career he has found that it has been particularly satisfying to have contributed to the approval of therapies for epilepsy, migraine, bipolar disorders, and hepatitis C.
Dr. Dutta explains that ASCPT has been recognized as the premier organization promoting the discipline of clinical pharmacology and translational medicine for decades. The educational offerings of the Society have provided exposure to young and experienced scientists alike to present their innovative research and be critiqued by world experts in clinical pharmacology, biological, and statistical sciences. Some of the most seminal publications and position papers by experts and consortia in the field have been published in the ASCPT journal family. He goes on to point out that ASCPT has provided both educational and career advancement opportunities for many scientists through the meetings, special conferences, and tutorials in the journals.
Dr. Dutta believes that ASCPT should continue to promote the field of clinical pharmacology. He explains that “as the field of clinical pharmacology draws from multiple disciplines, ASCPT should focus on attracting more students and professors in related disciplines to attend annual meetings, present and publish their work.” There are many exciting opportunities arising on how health is monitored/assessed and how health care is delivered to patients with the advent of data sciences, the digital revolution, and most importantly multiple new drug modalities that will open up hereto inaccessible/intractable diseases to novel therapies. Clinical pharmacologists with the right training will have a major role to play. He believes that “ASCPT can be a positive force leading the way in providing the scientific platform for exchange of knowledge and training for the future clinical pharmacologist.”
Dr. Dutta encourages the younger generation of scientists who are passionate about clinical pharmacology to get involved in ASCPT. He explains that “ASCPT is the organization that provides you the exposure to the science of clinical pharmacology.” Membership in ASCPT can help young scientists understand the impact the discipline of clinical pharmacology has on patients, regulators, and development of new drugs. Dr. Dutta believes that ASCPT is a great place to find seasoned mentors who can provide you the broad perspective on the role and impact of a clinical pharmacologist in industry, academia, and regulatory agencies.
Dr. Dutta joined ASCPT in 1999. He currently serves as the Chair of the Early Development and Drug Safety Community.
