Despite tremendous challenges facing the pharmaceutical industry, it continues with its commitment to innovation and the discovery of novel drugs to address unmet medical needs. Indeed, medicinal chemists face a challenge of their own. Trying to survive in a changing environment where pharma is focusing on biologics drug candidates will require chemists to adapt.

CHEManager International asked R&D experts of chemical and pharmaceutical companies to elaborate on their research strategy and share their opinion with our readers. In detail, we interviewed professionals ranging from CEOs to heads of R&D and process development about:

The crucial success factors in chemical and pharmaceutical research.

Dr. René Imwinkelried: ŒMany different factors make an R&D organization successful. Within the contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) arena, I think of an organization having broad experience in developing and scaling up chemical and formulation processes, applying state-of-the-art analytical tools to better understand reactions, and also being capable to collect and interpret relevant scientific data to predict the outcome of reactions at scale is important. In addition, a culture of strong collaboration and open communication, both internally and externally with clients and suppliers is essential. Beyond these factors, many more still influence successes.

“It’s always highly skilled
and committed individuals
who at the end make the difference.”

Dr. René Imwinkelried,
Executive Vice President,
Head of Global R&D,
Siegfried

For me personally, the foundational success factor for an R&D organization is and will remain individuals who have a deep understanding of science, who rigorously apply scientific and engineering principles, and individuals who display a high drive to move things forward.

Yes, of course, we need several of the latest tools and instruments, yes we need strong collaboration and teamwork, and we need efficient business processes. However, I do not know of any successful pharmaceutical product that was invented, developed and commercialized by a business process or a specific top notch tool: It’s always highly skilled and committed individuals who at the end make the difference. Individuals who make the difference are those who see the outlier in scientific data that is hidden to others; individuals who challenge assumptions and conclusions based on opinions rather than data; individuals who do not always swim with the flow; individuals who take ownership for a project and push things forward despite the many obstacles along the way; and those individuals who believe in a successful outcome. In my opinion, individuals others want to be around.