Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) Company Profile

Background

The Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) is an independent, non-profit research institute based in Boston, Massachusetts. Established in 2006, ICER is dedicated to conducting evidence-based evaluations of healthcare interventions, including prescription drugs, medical tests, and other treatments. The organization collaborates with patients, clinical experts, and other stakeholders to assess the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of these interventions, aiming to inform healthcare decision-making and promote fair pricing and access.

Key Strategic Focus

ICER's strategic focus centers on providing objective, evidence-based analyses of healthcare interventions to support informed decision-making among patients, clinicians, insurers, and policymakers. The organization's core objectives include:

Clinical and Economic Evaluations: Assessing the effectiveness and value of medical treatments and diagnostic tests.

Value Assessment Framework: Developing methodologies to determine fair pricing based on clinical evidence and patient perspectives.

Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborating with various stakeholders to ensure comprehensive and transparent evaluations.

ICER specializes in health technology assessments, focusing on the economic evaluation of medical interventions. The organization employs methodologies such as cost-effectiveness analysis, utilizing metrics like Quality-Adjusted Life Years (QALYs) and Equal Value of Life Years Gained (evLYG) to inform its evaluations.

Financials and Funding

As a non-profit organization, ICER's funding primarily comes from non-profit foundations, government grants, and contributions from stakeholders in the healthcare sector. The organization maintains a policy of independence by ensuring that its funding sources do not influence its evaluations. Specific details regarding total funds raised and recent funding rounds are not publicly disclosed. ICER's financial strategy focuses on sustaining its operations to support its mission of improving healthcare value through evidence-based assessments.

Pipeline Development

ICER does not develop products or therapies; instead, it evaluates existing and emerging healthcare interventions. The organization's "pipeline" consists of upcoming assessments of new and existing medical treatments, diagnostic tests, and healthcare delivery methods. ICER's evaluations are guided by factors such as clinical significance, potential impact on patient outcomes, and relevance to current healthcare challenges. The organization regularly publishes reports on its assessments, which are accessible on its official website.

Technological Platform and Innovation

ICER employs advanced analytical methodologies to conduct its evaluations, including:

Health Economic Modeling: Utilizing simulation models to assess the cost-effectiveness of healthcare interventions.

Data Analytics: Leveraging comprehensive datasets to inform evaluations and ensure robust analyses.

Stakeholder Engagement Platforms: Facilitating transparent and inclusive discussions among stakeholders to inform decision-making.

These technological platforms enable ICER to provide rigorous and objective assessments that inform healthcare policy and practice.

Leadership Team

ICER's leadership team comprises professionals with expertise in healthcare research, policy, and economics. Key members include:

Sarah K. Emond, MPP: President and CEO, leading the organization's strategic direction and operations.

Foluso Agboola, MBBS, MPH: Vice President of Research, overseeing the research and evaluation initiatives.

David Rind, MD: Chief Medical Officer, providing clinical expertise to guide evaluations.

Maria Lowe: Associate Vice President of Pharmaceutical Intelligence, managing relationships with pharmaceutical stakeholders.

Amanda Mehlman: Director of Strategic Partnerships, fostering collaborations with various healthcare entities.

These leaders bring diverse backgrounds to ICER, contributing to its mission of improving healthcare value through evidence-based assessments.

Competitor Profile

ICER operates in the healthcare research and policy analysis sector, where it faces competition from various organizations that provide similar services. Notable competitors include:

Berkeley Research Group (BRG): A global consulting firm offering economic, financial, and analytical advice, including healthcare evaluations.

American Institute for Economic Research (AIER): A free-market think tank conducting economic research and policy analysis, including healthcare topics.

Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (CRD): A UK-based health services research center conducting systematic reviews and meta-analyses of healthcare interventions.

These organizations, along with ICER, contribute to the landscape of healthcare evaluation and policy analysis, each bringing unique methodologies and perspectives to the field.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

ICER collaborates with various stakeholders to enhance its evaluations and broaden its impact, including:

IPD Analytics: In 2019, ICER partnered with IPD Analytics to leverage their data and insights, enhancing ICER's horizon scanning efforts across the pharmaceutical and biologic markets.

California Technology Assessment Forum (CTAF): ICER assumed leadership of CTAF in 2014, expanding its reach and infrastructure for moving comparative effectiveness research into practice and policy.

These collaborations strengthen ICER's capacity to provide comprehensive and objective evaluations of healthcare interventions.

Operational Insights

ICER's operational strategy focuses on maintaining independence and objectivity in its evaluations. The organization ensures that its funding sources do not influence its assessments, adhering to a strict conflict-of-interest policy. ICER's reports are produced with input from various stakeholders, including patients, clinicians, insurers, and policymakers, to ensure comprehensive and transparent evaluations.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

ICER continues to expand its influence in the healthcare sector by:

Enhancing Methodologies: Developing and refining evaluation frameworks to address emerging healthcare challenges.

Expanding Collaborations: Building partnerships with additional stakeholders to broaden the impact of its evaluations.

Advocating for Value-Based Pricing: Promoting pricing strategies that align with the clinical benefits of interventions to ensure affordability and access.