bioMérieux

Jessica Blavignac

With over two decades of experience working in the pharmaceutical industry, Jessica Blavignac is a seasoned medical professional. Currently, she leads the medical and scientific affairs department at bioMérieux.

In an exclusive interview with Life Sciences Review Canada, Blavignac shared her valuable insights on the trends and future of the biotech space and her key responsibilities in her current organization.

Could you elaborate on your key roles and responsibilities at your current job?

I have recently joined bioMérieux, a diagnostic company focused on infectious diseases in Canada. My expertise lies in biochemistry and biomedical medicine, and I currently lead the medical and scientific affairs department at bioMérieux. We primarily focus on two key areas - pre and post-commercialization clinical research and medical education. My team's work is not centered around sales or product promotion but rather on researching and educating healthcare professionals.

What are some of the major trends you see impacting the bio tech space?

Personalized medicine is rapidly evolving using molecular medicine and research. There is a growing emphasis on commercializing technologies that enable personalized treatments and the reversal of disease states, such as phage therapy, vaccine development, and rapid diagnostics. There is also a greater demand for companion diagnostics to support clinical decision-making.

With patients having greater access to information than ever before, they are using digital tools and applications to track their health and contribute data. This involvement can lead to better outcomes for all stakeholders.

The increasing use of analytics, including data mining and surveillance, to support medical decision-making and improve patient outcomes is also a growing trend. Governments and institutions are using real-time tracking to monitor changes in antimicrobial resistance and implement targeted stewardship and infection prevention and control practices. These trends are all shaping the future of medicine and will continue to do so for years to come

With all the potential transformations prevailing in the space how do you envision the future of the industry? 

With the recent advancements in technology, research, and scientific discoveries, the biotech industry has been undergoing significant transformations. As we move forward, I believe that implementation science will take a lead in clinical research. While many innovations are conceptually outstanding, there will be an increased emphasis on demonstrating real-world implementation and impact on patient outcomes. 

I foresee a growing need for near-patient and rapid testing, as patients desire fast and direct answers. In Canada, patient-friendly tools have been developed for monitoring specific markers, like blood glucose. However, we will see the implementation of near-patient testing devices become the norm even for infectious diseases, offering results in just a few minutes, to aid in the management of our evolving healthcare system.

I believe that the power of analytics will continue to drive change. With the changes in the geopolitical, economic and environmental landscapes, there will be a greater demand for information sharing and interpretation. 

Is there any project that you have been working on, and what are some of the technological elements that you have leveraged to make the project successful?

One area of focus in our work is the optimization of resource utilization in microbiology lab workflows and communication with clinical wards. This involves customizing and adapting labs to be more efficient to provide timely and accurate laboratory results along with managing human resources. Automation and analytics have greatly evolved to support tasks that require human competencies. Retrospective data analysis can support better healthcare structures, and real-time data analysis can help identify emerging trends and make more informed decisions.

"As we move forward, implementation science will take the lead in clinical research. While many innovations are conceptually outstanding, there will be an increased emphasis on demonstrating real-world implementation and impact on patient outcomes"

Two examples come to mind. First, we are exploring using rapid diagnostic stewardship to decongest emergency rooms. By utilizing innovative rapid testing, we can quickly screen and triage patients, providing clinical teams with the first good indicators of the infection[1]causing pathogens and their antibiotic susceptibility. This allows for the initiation of targeted treatment, protecting patients from unnecessary exposure to antibiotics while waiting for confirmatory results. This approach enhances patient care and leads to quicker resolution of their condition, less time in the hospital, and shorter wait times in urgent care.

Second, we seek to support rural areas such as Northern Ontario and Northern Canada, where microbiology staff does not run labs. Samples are shipped to larger centers for testing, which is costly and impacts patient care. By using rapid diagnostics, we can provide results faster, improving patient care and resource allocation.

Would you like to share a piece of advice with the other leaders and fellow peers working in the space?

The fast-paced world of technology is constantly changing, and the healthcare industry is no exception. To succeed in this dynamic field, developing an adaptable, strategic mindset that incorporates empathy is important. As someone who has worked in medical affairs for most of my career, being strategic is essential to surviving and thriving in this industry. While our research and education contribute to advancements in healthcare, we must also choose where to invest our time and resources to make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and caregivers. Working closely with professionals and stakeholders is important to identify unmet needs and prioritize projects that address them. We are responsible for creating the culture we want to live in, and each of us has a role to play. Understanding the market is crucial for data analysis and anticipating and pursuing career opportunities with flexibility