As noted in the news feature Direct-to-consumer genomics reinvents itself, 23andMe has filed to secure 510(k) clearance for some of its genetic tests, which poses the question of whether a foot in the door at the FDA will increase demand and re-energize the direct to consumer (DTC) genomics market? Read more
For many of us working in the life sciences and passionate about the biotechnology sector, our motivation often stems from the power of medicine to help people. Somewhere on the career path, one may have thought about the doctor route. For me personally, the potential there ended in high-school with an aversion to blood and sensitivity to bearing bad news to patients. Read more
It took an interesting temporal juxtaposition of articles in two very different media – the Cape Times newspaper business section, and an editorial in New Scientist – to set me off, but once I’d started, there was no stopping. Read more
When I recently stepped down as CEO of a small biotech, it was the first time since kindergarten, about fifty years ago, when I was not on a schedule of some kind. Although I keep up with trends through the usual channels of conferences, newsletters and conversations, my new perspective starting from scratch in search of my next opportunity has led me to ponder topics that are only now important to me. These include the role of luck in achieving successful outcomes, the changing business of university tech transfer offices, and the forces impacting the pool of experienced entrepreneurs in biotech. But today I want to concentrate on an issue raised by the unstoppable rush to embrace the virtual model in biotech—the role of generalist managers versus discipline specialists. Read more
I attended BIO this year, and while there I felt responsible for China as a Trade Secrets contributor, so I settled in at “The China Day” – a day-long program organized around China, and was happy to take down some interesting numbers from the morning session. Read more
Last year I was asked to make a presentation on how I would approach strategy in my next start up. I’ve founded several life science start-ups in various countries over the years, and I also consult to companies needing assistance with their business development and strategic partnering, but the request gave me pause because there would be many in the room with a lot more experience (and grey hair) than me. I felt surely everything I have to say is common sense. But the conference organizer reassured me and we both agreed that strategy is often handled badly in start-ups, proving that there is room for more common sense. Read more
On the Bioentrepreneur site you’ll find a new Building a Business article (read it here). The piece stemmed from a discussion at JP Morgan in 2011, when the author Bill Polvino detailed his background and hiring at Veloxis Pharmaceuticals. Bill put together an outline, and after we’d hammered out a few drafts and got it through production, the final product emerged: A Work in Progress. The article gives advice on how to recognize the need for change in your biotech company, and how to implement it. Read more
Africa is the world’s second largest and second most populous continent, comprising more than 54 countries. With a population of over 1 billion, it is attractive for any investor. Being successful in these markets requires insight into the languages, cultures, government bureaucracy, regulations, type of innovative technologies and workforce of each country. Every one is different, and this makes it very difficult to use the same recipe for any two countries. There may be similarities in the regions but inside information is still required. Read more
I recently read a report on how private sector companies and grant-supported organizations have addressed and can address the need for medicines in bottom and middle-of-the-pyramid (BoP/MoP) markets. While aimed at the major international pharma companies, I thought it also had useful guidance and resources for bioentrepreneurs. The report, “Bringing Medicines to Low Income Markets,” was sponsored by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and Sanofi, and written by Endeva, a consulting firm offering “enterprise solutions for development.” The report starts with a helpful and succinct description of the BoP/MoP healthcare market’s opportunities and challenges. Here’s my summary of the salient points made: … Read more
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