COURSE DESCRIPTION

OVERVIEW

Blockchain technology is often thought of as synonymous to Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, as that is its most widely-reported use.  However, Blockchain technology is an entity of its own, where ledgers of digital data can be shared and secured in a public, decentralized forum.  Even as the technology is still relatively new, the number of software options being developed is rising exponentially, some for specific purposes, others for more generic application. Understanding how Blockchain operates to allow data to be secured and exchanged through distributed ledger cryptography is the first step to realizing its applications and usability for pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device companies.

This course will explore areas within the life sciences where early adoption is a possibility. A vendor-neutral review of current Blockchain software platforms and their potential fit within your organization will be provided.  Finally, you will receive instruction on how to identify and execute the steps necessary for determining if Blockchain is applicable to your function within your organization.  If applied incorrectly, blockchain technology and data usability can be very costly and time consuming.  However, the alternative is an attractive solution for securing data and optimizing efficiencies.  Following the “Enterprise Ontology” methodology of project establishment, step wise recommendations for decision making and approaching this endeavor will be provided.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

During this interactive session, you will:

• Discover the basics of Blockchain technology, how it operates, and the key terms and phrases
• Receive references to the platforms and solutions as they are coming to market
• Develop a foundation for evaluating how the technology will fit into your organization- “Is this the right step for us?”