Page 46 - CW E-Magazine (Oct-Nov-2023)

Discovery Pipeline

ence; this supports the agility needed
for biomanufacturing, as techni-
cal expertise plays a critical role in
identifying problems quickly and
subsequently offering solutions for
resolution.

* Finding a partner who knows how
to scale in a regulated space; a team
that has taken a product from beaker
to bulk and adjusted and customized
based on customer, and that has the
necessary experience to meet phar-
macopeia and equivalent require-
ments is invaluable.

These characteristics allow bioman-
key phases of research to scale-up and speed up the biomanufacturing process ufacturers to focus on the science, not
manufacturing. But what changed dur- can be worth the effort, as it can trans- the setbacks that will inevitably come
ing the pandemic was the shift in sup- late into significant time and cost sav- their way. Anyone who gets into this
pliers serving not only as commodity ings. But sometimes when you’re too business knows there is a lot of failure
providers, but as consultative partners close to it, it’s hard to see what needs associated with the work, but the new
as well. There is a time and place for optimizing. This is where the industry collaboration model within the Bio-
full outsourcing – a virtual biotech or is headed today – optimization services Pharma industry ensures that companies
a proof-of-concept therapy in a novel and supplier relationships that aren’t have partners they can trust to anticipate
BioPharma platform. Outside of exam- simply about the products or solutions, those challenges and avoid unnecessary
ples like these, where researchers strive but also about the expertise and expe- failures within their control.
to bring their discoveries to the clinic, rience to see a problem in the process
they will want to get the best return on and know how to resolve it. Hearing The BioPharma industry is renowned
what they have (including funding), not “We’ve seen this before, let’s make it for its innovation and creativity, where
to start over. better together” is different than “Here, new innovations and evolving market
let us do this for you.” There is a time dynamics are constantly shaping the
An example of this is the role of and a place for both. future. Political and regulatory changes
CMOs/CDMOs, who can leverage plat- in different markets along with unex-
form processes to develop manufactur- As we look ahead to a future that pected global crises and realities require
ing processes more quickly and effi- will bring not only more treatments but this industry to remain flexible in how
ciently. But there are many approaches also more challenges, more collabora- it solves its own challenges, and collab-
biomanufacturers can take, from full tions, and more requirements for novel orative partnerships are the best way to
outsourcing to carving out specific solutions, selecting a supplier partner quickly adapt. That speed is the differ-
projects. But ultimately, companies to help make your processes better is ence between being first-to-market, and
must decide where to leverage internal a crucial decision. Here are three main more importantly, bringing therapies to
resources and expertise and where they factors to consider: patients who need them most. The more
can access external help to minimize quickly we can do what we do well as an
cost, time, and risk. * Finding a partner who is open, industry, the more quickly patients will
agile and collaborative; not ev- be connected to the promise of what sci-
It may not make financial sense for erything goes as planned, and hav- ence has to offer all of us.
a biomanufacturer to outsource com- ing a partner who can anticipate the
pletely, depending on capital commit- challenges of your process and cus- [Source: CPHI Annual Report 2023]
ments and existing cost structures, but it tomize a solution is key to moving
may make sense to retain control while quickly towards commercialization. GER BROPHY
improving existing processes. A part- * Finding a partner with strong EVP Biopharma Pro-
ner with the expertise and resources to duction - Avantor
technical expertise and experi-

42 Chemical Weekly October / November 2023