Auto-ID’s Koh and Kang Jump to SupplyScape

03/10/2005

MIT Auto-ID experts Robin Koh and Yun Kang have joined SupplyScape Corp., a pharmaceutical supply chain solutions company, as chief strategy officer and director of services, respectively. The two will spearhead the launch of SupplyScape’s Pedigree Assessment service, designed to help companies create a strategy for quick compliance with new state regulations designed to improve patient safety, while at the same time delivering substantial business value by improving supply chain management.

“Bringing Robin and Yun’s knowledge and experience to bear on the growing problem of counterfeit drugs is a great leap forward to securing patient safety,” said SupplyScape President Shabbir Dahod. “The two will help clients develop a long-term plan that looks beyond compliance, and becomes a strategic advantage that can increase revenue.”

While at MIT, Koh led the university’s groundbreaking work with FDA in developing methods for fighting counterfeit drugs with technology. In addition, he led MIT’s collaboration with the pharmaceutical industry to turn the FDA vision into solutions that will work in today’s intricate supply chain.

"Robin has been an invaluable resource for the FDA in the development and implementation of the policy related to RFID technology and the electronic pedigree. His unique understanding of the pharmaceutical supply chain and RFID itself has enabled him to develop a vision for how the U.S. drug supply can be kept safe and secure while also promoting efficiency,” said Paul Rudolf, medical officer, the Health Strategies Consultancy, and former FDA lead on RFID and counterfeit drug policy development. "Robin will help the industry clearly understand how electronic pedigree systems can be deployed immediately, thereby making the U.S. drug supply safer and improving the public health."

Kang is an expert in supply chain strategy, operations, logistics and technology. He played a leading role in developing an in-depth business cases for RFID at Wal-Mart, and has worked to pioneer supply chain improvements for major manufacturers, including Gillette and Procter & Gamble. Kang will lead customer strategies for streamlining operations and deriving business value from supply chain technology investments in pedigree and RFID. He holds a Ph.D. from MIT.

SupplyScape Pedigree Assessment Service is designed to provide drug distribution centers, re-packaging facilities and pharmacies with a comprehensive plan for pedigree deployment. SupplyScape experts will work with clients to provide insight on the very latest pedigree regulations, technologies and processes that are available. Then, through a thorough evaluation of operations, the service will identify options and recommendations best suited for each client.

According to Koh, solutions are ready today from several companies that can help mitigate the public’s risk to counterfeit and sub-standard drugs. “For the first time, the industry is in a perfect position to comply with pedigree laws in a cost-effective and non-disruptive manner,” Koh says.

The company launched SupplyScape E-Pedigree software in November 2004. In addition to providing full compliance with federal and state pedigree laws including Florida, California, Colorado, and Nevada as well as the recommendations of the FDA and the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP), the system streamlines business operations and enables companies to safeguard prescription drugs, improve the speed and quality of shipping and receiving, expedite returns processing and improve recall precision.