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Outsourcing chemical synthesis in the drug discovery process
1Chair of Technology and Innovation Management/Start-up Research Group, ETH Zurich, Scheuchzerstrasse 7, CH-8032 Zurich, Switzerland. gfestel@ethz.ch
Abstract:
The positive effects of outsourcing chemical synthesis are enhanced if the provider offers, as the strategic partner, unique expertise and complements the existing internal competencies of pharmaceutical companies. The emerging cooperation model of leased competence offers additional access to high-level specialist knowledge: external service providers are temporarily integrated into internal R&D teams and can support R&D projects flexibly and quickly. Practice examples show that this cooperation model supports the efficient realization of milestones and, in the long-term, helps to build up a high internal competence level, especially in small pharmaceutical companies.
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