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Minimizing leakage of value from R&D alliances

Abstract

Alliances, which are a key component of the research and development (R&D) strategies of most major pharmaceutical companies, demand significant management time and resources. There is no doubt that considerable value can be derived from R&D alliances, and much has been written about how companies can maximize such value, but the issue of how the associated risks can be minimized has been neglected in comparison. Here, we summarize recent trends in alliance formation and discuss approaches to minimize risk in alliances, which are growing in importance as alliance activity increases.

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Figure 1: Drug discovery deals 2003–2006: average value of deals.
Figure 2: Research and development deals 2003–2006: breakdown of financial terms.
Figure 3: Development deals (Phase I to Phase III) 2003–2006: value of deal terms.
Figure 4: Trends in retention of promotion rights: 2003–2006.
Figure 5: Diversity in alliance networks.
Figure 6: Risk factors and value leakage during the alliance life cycle.

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Acknowledgements

The author thanks L. Wright, Ernst and Young, for her support in data collection and analysis for figures 1,2,3,4.

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National Institute for Clinical Excellence

Swedish Council for Technology Assessment in Health Care

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Jones, A. Minimizing leakage of value from R&D alliances. Nat Rev Drug Discov 6, 711–719 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrd2357

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