Identifying Cancer Research Organizations for Acquisitions and Collaboration

Posted by | Fuld & Company

The pharmaceutical industry has numerous lead molecules for research as organizations and academic institutions across the world are focusing on developing new anti-cancer molecules, owing to their huge market potential. This is prompting big pharma companies to adopt the ‘Scout and Source’ trend, wherein they acquire research organizations with promising molecules to expand their drug portfolio and future market share. 

Background 

• A key player in cancer research sought to identify prospects with the right fit for acquisition, partnership or collaboration. 
• The company wanted to identify new players that conduct research on cancer treatment and have shown promising results in the past. 
• They had the following pre-requisites for the selection of a partner: 
  • Chemical actives showing efficacy in animal studies 
  • Active agents should be in phase I or II of clinical trials 
  • Potential partners should not have any existing collaborations  
  • Active agents should be targeting breast cancer and colon cancer 
  • The potential partners should be willing to collaborate 

Objective 

To scout and identify the anti-cancer agents for breast and colon cancer that have shown efficacy in animal testing, leveraging scientific literature and clinical trials for research. 

Approach 

• A search was initiated with a selection of leading anti-cancer journals worldwide to ensure that the data was of a high standard. A new methodology was developed to screen anti-cancer molecules that are used to treat breast cancer and colon cancer by referring to these journals. Further, the clinical trials published in all countries were screened to identify the required anti-cancer molecules.  
• Automation tools were used to extract data, and then results were screened manually to find relevant information. Further, the results were analyzed in detail, the required tech data was extracted, and the data was further processed to identify the potential molecules.  
• The molecules were categorized into those for breast and colon cancer. The molecules were segregated and presented with their chemical parent class, sub-class, and the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) nomenclature of the compound to enable the client to easily evaluate the parent classes of interest. The details related to cancer, stage, type, and results were extracted from animal studies and clinical trials. Information pertaining to the key investigation officers and organizations, and scientific literature, were provided. 
• The results were presented in decreasing order of efficiency, as well as according to the quality of the animal testing or clinical trials that had been conducted. 

Outcome 

• The easy categorization of the chemical names enabled the client to quickly understand the data, along with the supporting information, which helped it to finalize the key molecules for both cancers.  
• Automation enabled the completion of the project before the client’s deadline, which allowed it enough extra time to assess and finalize its research partners. A total of 20 institutes and organizations were shortlisted, helping the client save valuable time and costs. 

Tags: cancer research, case study, Information Technology, Pharma, Pharma Agri & Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals, research