ARTICLES BY LOUIS

• Large Or Small Molecule: Drug Sponsors Share API Outsourcing Philosophy

  3/2/2018

  Industry Standard Research (ISR) has released two reports – one on the API outsourcing preferences and practices of small-molecule drug sponsors, and the other on those of large-molecule sponsors. I also undertook some additional analysis by comparing the reports. My driving question: Are there strategic and tactical differences for the two programs when outsourcing to CMOs? 

• The World's First Biopharma Built On Blockchain

  2/22/2018

  The world’s first biopharma built on blockchain technology has arrived. “We’ve created a new generation of pharmaceutical company, focused on dispersed product development through the use of today’s technology,” says Dr. Matthew Lee, Caywon Pharmaceutical Group’s VP of Innovations.

• From CMO To CMO: A Biopharma With All The Right Moves

  2/15/2018

  There’s a quotidian calculation to outsourcing at Allena Pharmaceuticals that's well worth studying.

  “As a small biotech, we could get kicked to the curb because somebody else has more dollars, and can occupy longer those assets at a CMO that we need. Because of this, we’ve evolved a concept of portability for our manufacturing process that may be anathema to a lot of companies …"

• Japan Pharma: Top Tier With Tons Of Opportunity

  2/9/2018

  Opportunities related to the world’s third largest pharma industry tend to get drowned out by U.S. domestic events, and news from Europe, China, and even India. But if you haven’t been, it’s time to start paying attention to Japan again. There are opportunities for partnering, providing services to Japan Pharma, and for market penetration by foreign biopharma companies.

• Biopharma's Technology Scouts: Time To Look At CDMOs, Too?

  2/2/2018

  We’ve heard stories where service providers bring ideas for innovations to biopharma clients, but get rebuked because of the immediate focus on the bottom line for services. Perhaps sponsors should make a new comparison: Where is innovative, biopharma-applicable new-tech, perhaps already focused on elements of a drug owner’s pipeline, actually cheaper to come by? 

• Hospitals To Serve Up IVs, And Now APIs?

  1/24/2018

  Outsourced Pharma readers must be scratching your heads over the mass-media reported news splash that Intermountain Healthcare is leading four U.S.-based “health care systems” in a consortium to form a generic drug company. In other words, hospitals are getting into APIs. And this, we are told, will save the world from shortages, while reducing pricing for generic drugs. Let’s just say some questions remain, such as: “How’s that all going to work?” 

• No Prescription For Fake News

  1/22/2018

  We could never get away with “fake news” here. You’d run us out of town in a New York minute. But here’s some thoughts and historical perspective on this theme swirling around us today.

• Innovation Envy: Surfing California For Next Biopharma Wave

  1/16/2018

  If you’re interested in new tech and innovation – including outside of the biopharma space – and enjoy warm weather and coastlines, you won’t help but envy Ravi Kiron. Merck KGaA has given him the job of all jobs. Kiron has became the head of biopharma external innovation at Merck’s EMD Serono, Inc., and tasked with establishing its Silicon Valley Innovation Hub. Try not to be too jealous of Kiron as you’re reading. More jobs like his may be on the way. 

• Biopharma Experts Are Consistent: Expect More Cells, And Outsourcing

  1/5/2018

  When queried about the areas of most importance to them, their companies, and the biopharma outsourcing industry over the next 12 months, experienced professionals from around the world came back with this: cells, cells, and more cells.

• Our 2018 Outsourcing Outlook: Focus On … Amazon?

  12/21/2017

  It’s time for our 2018 industry outlook. But don’t worry if you’ve already had your share of forecasts slipped into your stockings. I promise ours brings something different to the prognostication party. And it should help readers to consider carefully what you need to focus on to make it another successful year.