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Harten Group in the news
In January's Business Weekly biotech supplement, Harten Group authored an article on how interim expertise can deliver significant benefits to biotechs. These included providing specialist knowledge by tapping into a network of highly skilled consultants, controlling overheads and delivering international reach by tapping into an established 'knowledge portal'. Using interims to establish a 'virtual company' to strengthen the pitch to investors when looking for funding was also highlighted.
An additional benefit was obtaining feedback from Key Opinion Leaders, located across the world, remotely and cost-effectively by keying into Harten Group's knowledge and contacts.
In an industry which is becoming increasingly globalised, these international networks or 'knowledge portals' are set to become even more valuable to businesses needing access to specialists.
AIS coming soon
Harten Group's eighth Annual Industry Survey will be published shortly, highlighting the views of key players in the pharma and biotech industries.
As in previous surveys, participants were asked to compare predictions of how 2009 would play out versus the reality. They were also asked to name key issues that are affecting the industries currently.
One of the conclusions is that 2009 turned out to be as predicted, with around 50% predicting and experiencing it to be worse than 2008. However 40% felt it had been better.
What will 2010 hold? Over half of respondents expect it to be better than 2009 but with the uncertainty of a General Election, the effect of US healthcare reforms, increasing threats of libel against investigators or publication in peer-reviewed journals and the viability of the UK for clinical R&D we could be in for some surprises this time next year.
Biotechs in the UK
A recent article in Pharmafocus by Les Rose highlights the credibility problems being experienced currently by biotech companies in the UK. He quotes a survey which shows that 75% of biotech companies are having difficulty finding funding, a situation caused by a number of factors including VCs looking for short-lead times to an exit strategy.
Les Rose gives some views on how biotechs can look more credible. They should stay lean, using consultants wherever possible, research and seek out grant funding and look to develop different financial models. On a more positive note, there are a number of new centres of innovation being developed including the Cambridge Biocampus.
The author acknowledges that his article contains some material included in a presentation by Dr Catherine Beech called 'What's the Biotech Buzz' which was given to Harten Group consultants last Autumn.