Two men leaving a building

Working with partners to create
tailored deals

Achieving our mutual goals

Our goal is to be flexible, responsive, and honest within a partnership of equals designed to deliver value for both parties. Once a deal is done, our partners become long-term members of the team and always have the opportunity to fully participate in development decisions in relation to their products. Many partnerships are facilitated by a steering committee and shared governance.

Alliance management from the start

In addition to our business development professionals, AstraZeneca will also give you access to our scientific and commercial expertise from day one.

A dedicated Alliance Manager will be appointed from the start of the negotiation phase to ensure there is a seamless transition from the completion of a transaction to a full partnership.

Together, this partnering team will support you throughout the relationship, potential transaction and beyond; sharing your vision for your product or technology and championing the opportunity within AstraZeneca.

The role of R&D in business development

Our R&D strategy teams are tasked with sourcing innovation from both inside and outside the organisation. These teams have extensive links to the scientific, academic, and industry community, and will drive our partnering efforts in line with our overall R&D strategy to ensure appropriate fit with our portfolio.

Timelines and feedback

When a potential partner has submitted a proposal, we are committed to giving a prompt, tailored response within two weeks. For consistency, AstraZeneca follows a carefully defined partnering process involving four sequential gateways (or “Gates”) from evaluation through to contract signature.

We are open and transparent throughout the partnering process, sharing our scientific, regulatory and commercial insights and expertise at each stage. Even if our discussions do not proceed to the next gateway in the transaction process, we will strive to provide meaningful, honest and constructive feedback.

The 5R 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.

View our evaluation criteria

The 5 Rs ensure rapid, consistent feedback and effective due diligence

 

Right target

  • Strong link between target and disease
  • Differentiating efficacy
  • Available and predictive biomarkers

Right tissue/exposure

  • Adequate bioavailability and tissue exposure
  • Human Pharmacokinetics / Pharmacodynamics (PD) prediction
  • PD biomarkers
  • Drug-drug interaction

Right safety

  • Clear assessment of safety risks
  • Clear understanding of risk / benefit
  • Availability of predictive biomarkers

Right patients

  • Scientific evidence in lead indication
  • Risk / benefit stratification of patient population
  • Personalised healthcare strategy including diagnostic / biomarkers

Right commercial

  • Differentiated value proposition vs. future standard of care
  • Priority geographies
  • Market access / payer / provider focus
  • Personalised healthcare strategy including diagnostic / biomarkers

 

Communication with AstraZeneca has been very strong throughout the partnership, we have regular team meetings, which take place at a fairly senior level with the groups that are developing the product on both sides of the partnership. We also have a very involved Alliance Management Group.

David Soloman
Senior Vice President, Corporate Development and Strategic Planning, Forest Laboratories Inc.


Did you know?

Our alliance management process will operate a 90-day “kick-off” plan that facilitates the effective transition to a full partnership and then actively monitors and assesses the progress.


Our partnering process

One team from start to finish

Download our brochure

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