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The Insiders: Outsourcing
While at BIO, Michael Griffith had these thoughts...
It is clear that investors and entrepreneurs have become savvier about corporate evolution and the role of outsourcing to leverage and protect core competencies. They recognize that, as their nascent companies staffed with a handful of very bright discovery scientists approach milestones requiring increased production of drug and delivery of clinical results, the mere act of investing in internal development skills sets can be daunting and very disruptive to an organization whose mission is still primarily directed toward the discovery of new drugs. Outsourcing development to consulting groups and service organizations has become a logical move for emerging companies to rapidly respond to their pipeline needs and to mitigate risk, while preserving their core mission by remaining focused on discovery.
If you find yourself in that blessed situation of having a product nearing clinical trials, my advice: seek help! If you don’t yet have a pharmaceutical partner, external consultants and outsourcing partners with hands-on experience in manufacturing and development can play a central role in moving the product forward. Evolving from an “idea” company to a “product” company is probably the trickiest transition in the business. The best way to make that transition is to work with people who have already been to “the other side,” who can weave together the various functions (formulation, scale-up, logistics, etc.) and recognize the synergies between them.
-- Michael A. Griffith, CEO and founder, Aptuit Inc.
