Top Pharmaceutical Companies Outline Criteria for Choosing Companion Diagnostic Development Partners

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The most important factor for drug companies when partnering with a companion diagnostics (CDx) developer is its technological capabilities, according to a recent study by Cutting Edge Information.

“Companion Diagnostics and Biomarker Development: Partnership Strategies and Benchmarks”

The study, “Companion Diagnostics and Biomarker Development: Partnership Strategies and Benchmarks,” surveyed pharmaceutical executives and asked them to rate their criteria for selecting companion diagnostic development partners. On a scale from 0 to 5, with 5 being the most critical factor, CDx vendors’ technological capabilities ranked highest at 4.5. This criterion was followed closely by in-vitro diagnostic (IVD) capability, the availability of diagnostic technology platforms and scientific knowledge (each ranked at 4.4). Biomarker content and brand name were considered the least important criteria, ranking 3.6 and 2.4, respectively.

“Companion diagnostic development is growing as more blockbuster drug patents expire,” said David Richardson, research manager at Cutting Edge Information. “Because a large portion of pharmaceutical companies do not have dedicated teams for diagnostic development, they must turn to external collaboration opportunities.”

Cutting Edge Information found that at many surveyed drug companies, companion diagnostic partner selection is handled by a committee. The committee solicits information from key internal functions such as business development, R&D and commercial operations. These stakeholders help to identify potential strengths and issues that could arise with choosing one diagnostics partner over another. Using the most important criteria, the selection committee typically narrows its focus to a small number of partnership opportunities. It then holds conversations with its potential partners and performs the appropriate due diligence prior to making its final choice.

“Companion Diagnostics and Biomarker Development: Partnership Strategies and Benchmarks” (http://www.cuttingedgeinfo.com/research/clinical-development/companion-diagnostics-biomarkers/) explores the growing need for companion diagnostics development and the intricacies of the partnerships that create diagnostics. The report is designed to help pharmaceutical companies:

Track extensive metrics to see how competitors approve and manage companion diagnostics development.
Master partner selection and manage collaborative relationships by setting internal and external expectations.
Follow timelines to create an optimal development window for linked drugs and diagnostics.

For more information about companion diagnostics or clinical development benchmarking, contact Elio Evangelista at 919-403-6583.