Background and Scope
A market leading company in veterinary biologicals wanted to strategically expand portfolio and develop prioritized products with high potential for mid-term growth. The company engaged Sathguru to landscape technology possibilities, assess relative merit, scout for potential technology partners and in-license the technologies for six identified veterinary vaccines from global public institutions or private companies.
Our Approach
Mapping global technology and IP landscape:
To map the evolving technology landscape and potential sources of technology, Sathguru conducted a detailed review of published research articles and all Intellectual Property including granted and provisional patents around the prioritized vaccines. We comprehensively mapped evolving technologies as well as details of institutions/researchers engaged in developing these.
Assessing relative merit and consultatively determining technology strategy (where needed):
Based on technology trends identified, along with the Client’s R&D head, we assessed relative merit for their R&D investments and technology strategy. For certain vaccines, due to regulatory merit we converged on prioritizing access to legacy technology already used by globally approved products including use of same strain. For vaccines with multiple technology possibilities including options such as recombinant and immune complex /vector based vaccines, a subjective and multi-factoral approach was taken to prioritize nature of technology to be accessed. Regulatory implications and timeframe for approval, considerations around scale-up and manufacturing, commercial receptiveness and technology access possibilities were all considered for such final prioritization of technology type and technology sources to be explored.
Managing outreach to potential technology providers and entire technology licensing transaction:
Sathguru reached out to all the global research institutions through their respectiveTechnology Transfer Office and private companies identified to explore in-licensing of strains and technologies prioritized. Our extensive network with global TTOs and research institutions and historical engagement with most of them was vital in accelerating these discussions. Over a course of about 12 months, we managed all steps of the transaction to successfully conclude the intended licensing transactions. This included multiple steps of negotiation of the term sheet and licensing agreements with multiple global sources of technology each having its own preference on licensing terms and transaction modalities. Where needed, technology was pooled from multiple sources for a single vaccine.
Additional handholding partnerships or knowhow access to enhance probability of success and accelerate R&D efforts:
In addition to in-licensing vaccine strains and technology needed, we also identified partnerships that can enhance probability of technology development and accelerate the overall product development process. This includes a key handholding agreement with a prolific and celebrated researcher worldwide who has been a constant support for the company ever since.
Project Output
Sathguru in-licensed vaccine strains and related technologies for six different vaccines from various global sources (USA, Canada and Europe), shaped hand holding partnerships with recognized global researchers in the space and comprehensively supported realization of portfolio aspirations of the Client. Sathguru’s support has enabled the client to develop a robust pipeline of veterinary vaccines with technology that is globally contemporary and timeline that is aggressive and accelerated.