If Biopharma CMOs Picked The U.S. President

By Louis Garguilo, Chief Editor, Outsourced Pharma

I dreamt the U.S. presidential election would be decided by the votes of the hard-working and intelligent women and men of the biopharma outsourcing industry. In the dream, it was up to me to record the insights of  “Joe,” an obviously admired CEO of a respected U.S.-based contract manufacturing organization (CMO). He’d help us make this choice for national chief executive. (Yes, all this probably indicates I need to take some time off … but here goes.)

Dressed in a dark suit and plain tie, loosened for optimal breathing (somehow I knew this), Joe started the conversation by saying, “Let’s not make this a referendum on Obamacare [U.S. Affordable Care Act].”

I replied that for the sake of principled journalism, I couldn’t just take that subject off the table. It impacts this election, and our outsourcing industry, too.

“Alright,” Joe retorted. “Here’s what I’d say. I don’t know too many people who support the healthcare system as it stands today. Something will be done – maybe repeal, but certainly a fair amount of adjusting. It’s a too expensive and intrusive program now. Those running for office have their plans and ideas, but they’ll all have to adjust to stark realities, and the need to work together somehow.”

I checked to make sure my recording device was working, and then took a sip of my Pinot Noir. (Hey, this is my dream, right?) We agreed to move on. So here’s Joe regarding the respective candidates.

U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders

“He seems genuine, and he’s pretty clear to voters regarding objectives. That’s a quality we look for in our biopharma-CMO relationships, too: both sides need to understand the goals of all projects. However, let’s just say, no business of any kind – unless it’s somehow government controlled – does well with socialism. History has shown the workers don’t do so well, either. Taxing success … and the whole big government approach … just isn’t appealing to our industry. CMOs rely on free-market economies, and its rewards. And how he bashes our customers! Respectfully, we might not want to go the Bernie way.”

former-Secretary of State, -Senator (New York) Hillary Clinton

“You know, Louis, of all the elements that go into a biopharma’s decision to select us as their CMO, one stands above all the others. It’s the feeling of trust. If we told our customers whatever they wanted to hear, they’d soon learn we aren’t to be trusted. And imagine if we handled our clients’ IP the way national intelligence is handled?

“Hillary really does have the experiences, and probably is ready to take the job of president, yet that track record of hers is confusing at best. And now she loathes the drug industry, too?”

Joe leaned back in his chair. “On the gender issue,” he said cautiously, “I think she’s misaligned in asking for votes because of gender. However, certainly the biopharma industry included, we need to do more to ensure a fair playing field for everyone. I get that.”

former-Governor (Florida) Jeb Bush

“Timing’s everything in our industry, and in politics, too. The timing just seems off for this campaign.” I sense some disappointment in Joe, and ask why.

“You know, brand-recognition is so important,” he says. “Perhaps the “brand” is better than he knows. He could use some of the influential marketing we have in our industry, as you’ve eloquently written about in OutsourcedPharma.com. (Hey, that’s what he said.) Jeb seems to have rational plans for the country; he seems to understand business in general. But I’m not sure if he could actually get much done.”

Neurosurgeon Ben Carson

“Brilliant science-and-technology guy; understands healthcare from a doctor’s perspective. I can’t recall him saying anything negative about the biopharma industry, only the government bureaucracy trying to run health care. A lot to like here from our perspective.

“Here’s what’s interesting,” continued Joe, sitting up straight in his chair. “Can you be too calm? Some say Jeb is low energy – which I don’t buy – but how about Ben being overly “low key”? And you know, I’ve had skilled and very intelligent scientists over the years who couldn’t make the transition to the higher levels of management. Ben doesn’t seem to be able to gain further support; it seems to be waning.”    

former-(well kind of) Senator (Florida) Marco Rubio

“I do like this guy,” says Joe. “But somehow he reminds me of the biotech entrepreneur who comes into our shop backed by some VC funding. A lot of ideas on how to do things better, because, well, they just know.

“And how should the hard workers of our industry think about Marco’s deciding not to show up for his job [at the Senate] anymore. He’s certainly smart, and has plans that seem reasonable. Yet there’s all that back-and-forth in the debates about what he has actually said – and done – in the past. In our industry, experience – of all kinds – counts for chief executives, and it should in politics, too.”

Senator (Texas) Ted Cruz

“Position-wise, he’s pro-economy and free-markets. But it’s odd, this thing about how few of his colleagues seem to like him. We all make enemies, but when most everybody is in that camp, perhaps it’s time for another strategy. Look at our outsourcing industry nowadays: We’re serious about moving to deeper partnerships to overcome challenges. Can he forge these in his political world?

“It is interesting, though, in terms of education and background, Ted’s got one of the best [Princeton University; Harvard Law School – a professor there called him “off-the-charts brilliant"; U.S. Dept. of Justice] … maybe it’s hard to like a know-it-all.”

Governor (Ohio) John Kasich

“Would I consider it a negative if an executive I’m interviewing has a background in our industry? That’s what’s happening in this election. I guess the answer could be yes if our industry was also in such dire need for new leadership. John talks about leadership a lot, and bringing people together, and that’s positive.

“Our industry is also focusing on leadership, specifically emanating from outsourcing service providers. I think we’re struggling with how that should look. You’ve written some provocative articles on this. (I love this guy.) I think people are also struggling with this when they look at John. Despite his saying he’s somehow transcended it all, he’s still very much a product of politics.

Real Estate Mogul Donald Trump

Joe leans back and stares at the ceiling (which seems to be some type of polar vortex) before answering.

“If anybody should understand outsourcing – for Donald it would be contracting, sub-contracting, business partnerships, off-shoring, working with regulators – it’s him. Maybe he’d even indirectly help U.S.-based CMOs.”

“How’s that?” I ask Joe, providing him a moment to sip from his Riedel glass.

“We’re free-market supporters, but Donald would really force the issue of fair business practices, and yes that includes China. Like other candidates, he’d reduce the taxes keeping trillions of dollars of business revenues outside the U.S., giving our customers more to work with here.

“But that personality, I don’t know … In our industry, we also negotiate hard and strike profitable deals, and keep our relationships strong. Can he do that on a global scale? It’s hard to tell.”

Joe stopped. I turned the recorder off, and in the ensuing silence we both pulled hard from our fermented grape juice. “You know,” he finally said. “What this country needs is the competence of a CEO from a CMO to turn things around.” Was Joe really considering getting in the race at this late stage?

We’ll never know. I woke with a start. Time to get up and write something.