EmergingCo: A Virtual “South-South†Biotech Model

Authors

  • ajay gautam

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5912/jcb725

Abstract

The article proposes a “virtual†biotech model for the emerging markets - termed EmergingCo - and develops a comparative financial model to argue that such a virtual biotech can deliver drug candidates from discovery through proof-of-concept (Phase II) more cost effectively than the traditional drug development paradigm. Data from published studies on drug development costs have been compared with a cost structure model for EmergingCo using a framework where all R&D can be accomplished through a virtual network of partnerships within emerging markets. A couple of case studies from China and India are used to lend support to the cost structure model. Such a model, either as a venture backed company or a virtual unit of big pharma, could provide an alternate vehicle for delivering mid-to late stage clinical candidates, similar to Lilly's Chorus model.

Author Biography

  • ajay gautam

    Ajay Gautam is Executive Director & Head of Collaborations, Asia Pacific & Emerging Markets at AstraZeneca based in Shanghai, China. Ajay has a deep and broad transactional and operational experience across the US, Asia, Latin America, Russia and the Middle-East/Africa region. Prior to joining AstraZeneca, Ajay was co-founder and Managing Director of Bio-nAbler, a healthcare investment firm based in Dubai focused on the Middle-East/Northern Africa region. He has also served as VP Corporate & Business Development for moksha8, a Latin America-focused specialty pharmaceutical company that was formed out of the private equity firm TPG. Previously, he was with the worldwide business development group at Pfizer in New York. Ajay has a PhD in Biomedical Sciences, an MBA in Finance and a Bachelor of Technology in Biotechnology & Biochemical Engineering, and he also attended executive management programs at MIT and Harvard.

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Published

2015-10-01

Issue

Vol. 21 No. 4 (2015)

Section

Article