Two well-known CME firms, Pegasus Healthcare International, Montréal, which specializes in content development, and Saber Communications, New York, a meeting management company, have joined forces to form Engaging Minds LLC. The joint venture includes a nonexclusive alliance with medical schools, offering pharma companies a one-stop shop for putting together certified CME activities.

In the current regulatory environment, “things are getting tougher and tougher [for pharma companies],” says Christopher West, Pegasus CEO; and director, Engaging Minds. “They may not be as comfortable with their existing vendor relationships. Industry is looking for a different model to manage their risk.”

To meet that need, Engaging Minds brought in Robert F. Orsetti, assistant vice president, continuing education, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in Newark, to build a consortium of universities — reputable accredited sponsors — providing pharma clients with low-risk CME, says West. Currently, seven medical schools in the United States and Canada, including UMDNJ, have joined the alliance.