The Karma of Pharma

Risk will always be part of what we do. And so is the potential for huge rewards.?

Like many industries where risk is inevitable and rewards are significant but scarce, ours will attract and sometimes reward those who are comfortable with — or even enjoy — risk.?

It’s still possible to play fast and loose and get incredibly lucky. It happens. We’ve seen it. In fact, we have more than one story of someone getting incredibly lucky, learning entirely the wrong lesson, and then paying a dear price down the road. Over time, luck (or karma, if you prefer) has a way of running out. And those who approach our industry with a poker player’s mindset are often outmaneuvered by those who are playing chess.?

Calculating and balancing risk over time rewards patience, meticulousness, and experience. It’s not for everyone. But in this business, it’s how you stay in the game.?

Earlier Investments Can Pay It Forward

In 2020, cash was flooding into our industry. The pandemic caused a bit of a gold rush, and some market correction was inevitable and entirely predictable.?

But it’s precisely in the areas where you’re seeing the most investor reluctance — early on in drug development — where some are seeing incredible opportunities.?

Of course, identifying those requires some insider knowledge and a few other tricks of the trade. As we enjoy a closer relationship with venture capitalists than many, we think? that we arere in a unique position to bridge the gap between our worlds.?

Yves Roy compiled some savvy insider strategies for high-yield investments in his recent blog. Here’s a sneak preview:?

• How to find everything you need to know about a potential partner from what is and isn’t included in their drug proof of concepts?
• A reminder about balancing potentially high-risk, high-reward investments with more stable ones
• A “quieter” area within our industry that nevertheless offers huge commercial potential

Getting Better Predictors of Cause and Effect?

Were you able to attend the American DDF Summit??

If not, you missed out on a good one!?

David Kwajewski and Yves were the lucky ones who got to enjoy the California sunset during our private happy hour and explore several presentations on biologics, device development, small molecules, and technology & innovation.

One topic this year that we found to be particularly helpful for our clients was about dissolution, and more specifically, how dissolution testing can muddy the waters.?

Dissolution Testing Considerations

This might sound odd coming from us, but more is not always better when it comes to dissolution testing. Adding more variables can just add confusion, and unless your data is actually helping you make informed decisions, it’s just noise.?

Identifying the precise sweet spot where testing helps reduce risk without being a drag on your timeline or budget is its own skill, and it should not be underestimated. If this area is right where your team has a knowledge gap, you’ll need to address it one way or the other, or you’re likely to have persistent problems at this stage.?

David’s recent blog explores this topic in more detail!?

Ethical, Responsible Technology Use

Faster, better, cheaper. In any other industry, if that’s the ask, AI is at least one of the answers. But there are a few reasons that seasoned CDMOs have shown a certain reluctance to go all in.?

Yes, AI often requires costly infrastructure updates, and now isn’t a good time. But these new digital tools also need to comply with regulations, and there are legitimate ethical concerns drug developers have — especially when it comes to patient data.?

Tipping Our Hand

We’ve been a bit tight-lipped, but we are currently exploring new ways this technology can help us save our clients time and money without causing new problems.?

We’re also exploring new ways that gastrointestinal simulators can reduce the need for animal testing in some areas, and we’re excited to see regulators start to signal that they will be more receptive to in vivo alternatives in the near future.?

Stay tuned!?

How We’re Balancing Our Environmental and Karmic Footprint?

Our industry has a long way to go in terms of environmental sustainability. We’re far from perfect. And it’s very difficult for many of us to prioritize lowering our impact on the environment amongst constant supply, manufacturing, and cost demands.?

But one thing we’ve done since 2005 is consciously shaping a culture that abhors waste of any kind and demands respect for environmental resources.?

We also have a genuine desire to help reduce the unnecessary waste of money and time that are associated with taking too many risks — even for biotech companies that may never actually become Corealis clients. If you have an upcoming oral solid dosage project, we sincerely hope you’ll take us up on our complimentary and obligation-free Druggability Assessment offer.?

Shall We Meet in Boston??

David actually lives in the area! Drop him a line if you’d like to grab a coffee. He’ll also be attending the Advancing Drug Development Forum on December 12th. Feel free to book a 1:1 during the event or check our upcoming events schedule to find other opportunities to connect.?

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Have a topic you’re particularly interested in seeing more content around? Let us know!?

We’ve got a few new blogs hitting the web shortly, but the industry is changing faster than we can put pen to paper these days! We’re always open to suggestions about trends you’re seeing that you’d like us to weigh in on.