Key Considerations When Choosing A Partner For Drug Discovery

The changes in the economic landscape and pipelines over the last 10-15 years have resulted in drug developers in companies of all sizes to take a hard look at their strategy and operations. With R&D productivity in a decline, organizations are looking externally for innovation and ways to be more efficient in operating. Companies realize that the status quo is unacceptable and that new approaches must be considered. This includes deciding on what specific areas of drug discovery should be maintained internally or externalized. Knowing how to pick the right partner for discovery R&D is a key competitive advantage.

When externalizing a program or activity, drug developers, from virtual biotechs to global Pharma, can ill afford to choose the wrong partner for drug discovery. Over the last 25 years companies have taken advantage of externalization of development and clinical from safety and toxicology to manufacturing. Drug discovery has been among the last areas in which global Pharma was willing to outsource. Drug discovery is a highly-specialized, complex field in which innovation trumps turn-the-handle processes. Companies that get drug discovery right benefit from a rich pipeline of new clinical candidates, the lifeblood of the industry. The successful translation of candidates to the market is key.