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Summer 2010 consultants' newsletter
Our latest newsletter is available here.
'Crisis? What Crisis?' Annual Industry Survey results published
The results of Harten Group's eighth Annual Industry Survey have just been published in the March issue of CR Focus. Tim Ewbank, Harten Group's Chief Operating Officer analyses how events turned out compared to the gloomy forecast of the previous year and takes a cautious look at what 2010 might hold. With factors such as a General Election looming and a great deal of political warnings about impending cuts, the survey examines what participants predict. Two issues are highlighted as worth watching over the coming year - one recurrent theme and an ominous new threat...
See the full article here.
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.
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.