Translational Research
In Translational Research

Isn’t my research enough? Translational Research meets Commercialisation

There is certainly more focus today on connecting medical research to commercialisation outcomes than there was 20 years ago when I undertook my PhD, yet a gap still exists. This gap has spawned the generation of Federal Government initiatives such as MTPConnect[1] and NCRIS[2], amongst others, to promote, invest, and shorten the bridge between medical research and patient outcomes.

Let’s be clear – good research is absolutely fundamental to commercialisation, and there’s plenty of good research around. In Australia, we are top five globally in biotechnology[3] – and have been for three consecutive years – as measured by intellectual property, intensity, enterprise support, workforce/education, productivity, policy and stability.

Good research, however, is only one phase of the commercialisation journey.

If we work with the assumption that you have good research underpinning a potentially great new medicine or medical technology, why might your research not be enough?

Here are just a few reasons why…

    • Challenges in progressing to proof-of-concept or prototype
    • Complexities in scale up to commercial manufacture
  • Toxicity studies reveal unacceptable risks
  • Clinical trials reveal unacceptable efficacy and/or safety profiles
  • The target population or medical condition is unclear
  • The expected return on investment isn’t attractive to potential partner organisations

Translational research is a fairly risky proposition, with risk declining (but not completely removed) during the development phase.  Understanding downstream factors which must complement and align with your research can help you hold a rounded perspective to guide your research towards commercialisation success and great patient outcomes.

Here are a few more tips…

FIVE QUESTIONS TO HELP BRIDGE YOUR RESEARCH TO COMMERCIALISATION OUTCOMES

 

  • What is your 30 second response to tell me about your research? Is it easily understood by a lay person and does it link to a healthcare outcome?
  • Who are the key stakeholder groups outside my immediate area of research?
  • How much research is enough to present a compelling basis for further development?
  • How protected is my research (think Intellectual Property)?
  • What sources can I consult to help me understand some of the potential downstream development challenges?

Upcoming related articles

  • Isn’t my research enough? – Helpful resources
  • Isn’t my research enough? – Success amongst the learnings

[1] https://www.mtpconnect.org.au/

[2] https://www.education.gov.au/national-collaborative-research-infrastructure-strategy-ncris

[3] 2018 Annual Report, AusBiotech

In addition to Regulatory and Related Consultung Services, Mary offers industry-readiness programs for people looking to enter the pharma, biopharma, biotech, med tech and wellness organisations. Contact Mary for a complimentary industry-readiness check or discussion on how this program may be applied to your organisation. 

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