Guidepoint Explained

Guidepoint
Industry:Expert network
Founded:2003
Founder:Albert Sebag
Hq Location:New York City, New York, U.S.

Guidepoint is an expert network,[1] providing business & government professionals with opportunities to communicate with industry and subject-matter experts to answer research questions.[2] Guidepoint clients consult with these experts over the phone, in-person at conferences, at teleconferences, at custom events and workshops, or may gather their primary research data through surveys, polls, or web-based data offerings.

History

Guidepoint was founded by Albert Sebag, who had training and experience in chemotherapeutic drug development,[3] intellectual property law and biotechnology litigation for generic pharmaceutical clients. This experience eventually led Sebag to begin a matching service for oncology patients called Clinical Advisors.[4] Launched in 2003, Clinical Advisors matched cancer patients with the clinical trial that best suited their case.[5]

As Clinical Advisors expanded their network to include expertise in additional healthcare areas, the company progressed into other industries and sectors. In 2007, the company changed its name to Guidepoint Global to reflect this expanded business model.[6] In 2009, Guidepoint Global acquired Vista Research, an expert network company that was active in Asia and had a strong network of experts in other industries such as technology and telecom.[7] from Standard & Poor’s.[8] [9]

Shortly after rebranding as Guidepoint, “the experts at finding expertise,” and premiering a new logo and website,[10] Guidepoint acquired Innosquared, a Germany-based expert network firm.”[11]

Business model

Clients use Guidepoint as a resource to find answers to specific industry questions that might only be answered by industry and subject-matter experts. The company essentially operates as a matchmaking service, connecting its users to recruited experts in the field they are looking to learn more about. Experts are categorized into six main industry sectors: Healthcare; Financial and Business Services; Consumer Goods and Services; Energy and Industrials; Tech, Media, and Telecom; and Legal and Regulatory.[12]

Services are subscription-based and include hourly phone consultations, in-person events, teleconferences, surveys, custom research reports, and a monthly healthcare data offering called Guidepoint TRACKER, which features data on market share in the therapeutics and medical device sectors,[13] such as the US Breast Implant market.[14]

According to Integrity Research, Guidepoint is ranked as the second-largest expert network,[15] with a network of more than 1,000,000 experts.

Regulatory issue with insider trading

In 2010, there were allegations that an expert who provided expert network services gave confidential information to a third party who traded on that information in violation of the federal securities law. That resulted in a strong regulatory focus on the industry and its investment firm clients.[16] Charges were not brought against Guidepoint. According to Integrity Research, “Although Guidepoint was mentioned in insider trading complaints, its compliance procedures protected it from accusations of wrong doing.”[17]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2009-05-21 . Vista Research Finally Finds a Home • Integrity Research . 2023-05-26 . Integrity Research . en-US.
  2. News: How Many Of These Expert Networks Are Being Investigated By The Feds?. Business Insider. 2018-10-02.
  3. Web site: Albert Sebag, Guidepoint Global LLC: Profile and Biography . 2023-05-26 . Bloomberg.com . en.
  4. Web site: Board of Directors. 2021-12-05. Repair the World. en-US.
  5. Web site: Timmerman. Luke. 2005-06-01. More doctors consulting for Wall Street, study finds. 2021-12-05. The Seattle Times. en-US.
  6. “Company Overview of Guidepoint Global, LLC.” Bloomberg Businessweek. Accessed 16 Jun 2015. http://www.investing.businessweek.wallst.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=30292548
  7. Web site: 2009-05-21 . Vista Research Finally Finds a Home • Integrity Research . 2023-05-26 . Integrity Research . en-US.
  8. Web site: 2009-05-27. McGraw-Hill sells Vista Research. 2021-12-05. Ad Age. en.
  9. Web site: 2016-03-04. Hedge Fund Research Firm Buys S&P Expert Network. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304090940/http://www.finalternatives.com/node/8009/. 2016-03-04. 2021-12-05. FINalternatives.
  10. Web site: 2015-01-12. Creative Tonic Rebrands Expert Network, 'Guidepoint Global'. 2021-12-05. Logo Designer. en-US.
  11. Web site: 2015-02-18. Guidepoint Global Acquires Innosquared. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20150218082419/http://www.finalternatives.com/node/29914. 2015-02-18. 2021-12-05. FINalternatives.
  12. Web site: Our Advisors . 2024-08-06 . Guidepoint . en-US.
  13. Web site: Guidepoint Launches Post-Surgical Pain Management TRACKER . 2023-03-14 . BioSpace . en-US.
  14. News: Mattioli . Jonathan D. Rockoff and Dana . Bid for Allergan Puts Valeant's Research and Development Cuts Under Scrutiny . 2023-03-14 . Wall Street Journal . 10 June 2014 . en-US.
  15. Web site: Premium Article - sign in or subscribe • Integrity Research . 2023-05-26 . Integrity Research . en-US.
  16. Web site: Lubin . Gus . How Many Of These Expert Networks Are Being Investigated By The Feds? . 2023-05-26 . Business Insider . en-US.
  17. Web site: Premium Article - sign in or subscribe • Integrity Research . 2023-05-26 . Integrity Research . en-US.