Life science companies can benefit greatly from increasing the number of strategic alliances and partnerships that they engage in. As commercial science moves towards a more collectivist model, commercial success will increasingly depend upon the combined efforts of professionals across the life sciences industry as well as academia.

Strategic Partners Are Common In the Life Sciences Industry

The life sciences industry is different from other industries in that companies often require at least a few partners in order to be able to complete a product cycle. Some of the organizations that make up these partners include technology companies, government agencies and universities.

Making Sure a Partner Is a Good Fit

Finding a good fit for a collaboration is one of the most important steps to securing a partnership. This means that the company should be able to offer something of value to the partner in terms of services and other benefits and vice versa. A good partner should not be in a position to take advantage of a life science company that is still in the entrepreneurial phrase or one that has reached a point of desperation. By finding a strategic partner that only has the best interests of the life sciences company in mind, the company can maintain its strategic placement in the market while benefiting from what the partner company has to offer. These strategic partnerships are especially important for young life science companies that are growing because they can provide a steady stream of sales as well as help to attract new business.

Sales and Distribution Partnerships

Sales and distributions partnerships have emerged as one of the main trends in life sciences strategic partnerships. These partnerships can directly impact the sales volume of a life science company. These days co-marketing and sharing sales forces between partners is virtually the norm. The best solution for increasing sales via partnerships is to ensure that the partners can each leverage the other company’s sales channels to increase sales capabilities on a global level.

Alliances Eliminate Distracting Tasks

Financial success for life science companies means that the company must remain focused on researching and developing products and technologies. Partnerships with other companies eliminates distractions by redistributing tasks such as funding, clinical trials, manufacturing, distribution, testing and sales to the partner.

Future Opportunities

Strategic alliances make it easier for life science companies to obtain additional strategic alliances in the future with other companies. This means that the company can increase sales further at a later date. If companies want to grow their bottom lines, it is important that they make the right connections early on so that they can sustain their growth. The benefits of strategic alliances have been well proven thanks to the fact that some of the most successful strategic alliances have resulted in acquisitions. However, since the average length of a strategic partnership is seven years, it is important that life science companies due the necessary homework to form the best possible relationships. In addition, they should make sure the necessary documentation in place to protect the interests of the life sciences company in the partnership.