Partnerships are key to improving world health, now and for the future
Tuesday, 23 October 2012
AstraZeneca’s contribution to improving health is founded on the research and development of innovative medicines for some of the world’s most serious diseases. In today’s world of rapid scientific and technological progress, however, no single company can rely exclusively on its own capabilities to meet all the healthcare challenges. This is why we partner with others to combine complementary strengths and broaden the potential for success in the pursuit of much-needed new medicines.
Partnering is a long term commitment for us
Since January 2009, we have secured over 90 industry deals including partnerships with other pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. AstraZeneca is also looking to increasingly partner with academic institutions, governments and not-for-profit organisations across all stages of development. Around 40% of our total pipeline and almost 75% of our late stage pipeline have been sourced externally.
Working globally to bring new medicines to market
We work in collaborations around the world and bring a broad range of capabilities to a partnership. Alongside a global reach coupled with local experience and knowledge, we offer partners leading R&D skills and unrivalled commercial capabilities. We work in over 100 countries and continue to re-shape and strengthen our geographic footprint to develop and deliver medicines that meet patient needs in new and emerging markets.
Maintaining a keen focus on quality not quantity
We are agnostic to the source of innovation and apply the same levels of commitment to our external opportunities as we do to our internal ones. This includes using our ‘5R’s’ quality check to make sure that our combined skills and resources stay focused only on those projects with the highest potential to become valued new medicines.
View our evaluation criteria
Both project evaluation and due diligence require stringent assessment criteria. To achieve this, we have created the “5 Rs” evaluation framework (Right target, Right tissue/exposure, Right safety, Right patients, Right commercial), providing a rigorous assessment and facilitating both speed and quality of execution. This evaluation takes place for all projects whether they are from partners or from our own laboratories, allowing us to take forward the most attractive opportunities regardless of source.
Delivering successful partnerships through an expert team
We always look to be creative, responsive, and flexible in our work to establish partnerships of equals that will benefit both organisations as we work to achieve our common goal of improving the lives of patients.
- We have people within R&D responsible for sourcing and evaluating innovation from both inside and outside AstraZeneca and championing those opportunities where there is a strategic fit.
- As well as the transactional aspects of a deal, our business development team is responsible for scouting late-stage development and on-market opportunities.
- Our global commercial organisation creates the plan for optimal market preparation and launch of competitive, differentiated brands that meet patient needs and offer value for money for the people who pay for healthcare.
- Dedicated professionals from other key functions such as legal, finance, and manufacturing are involved from the start.
Our business development team co-ordinates and leads the transactional aspects of a deal and our alliance management team is responsible for ensuring a smooth journey from negotiation to completion, providing a single point of contact for partners throughout the process.
Latest recognition
In the Boston Consulting Group’s 2012 Biopharmaceutical Licensing survey, AstraZeneca was ranked number one in the accessibility of our business development team and achieved ‘Best in Class’ ranking for our partnering capabilities across the board. In the 2012 Silico Research Prospective Partners Survey we were also ranked number one for responsiveness, openness and willingness to share information, and also for our commitment to trust and an ethical approach to partners and stakeholders.
