Comments on: Biotech on a Shoestring? There’s a Better Way

By: Jon Wetzel

Jon Wetzel — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 20:08:52 +0000

Mark-
You’d be surprised how much money is really wasted in a genomics lab. Having run one for many years, the key is minimizing your sample set for statistical analysis and validating your samples prior to processing.

I’ve also seen monies spent on unnecessary experiments because people didn’t use solid Lean thinking to trim the waste off their hypothesis.

Jon

By: Jerry Jeff

Jerry Jeff — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 20:58:22 +0000

A lot of productive time could be freed up by cutting time spent in meetings. Most meetings are a waste of time for most participants, in my experience. Also, the idea of annual or semi-annual performance reviews should probably be scrapped. Reviews provide little for the company but anxiety and conflict, and the scientists and managers spend *many* hours trying to be fair and thorough in this mostly meaningless exercise. I could go on and on.

By: Mark Fortner

Mark Fortner — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 15:52:01 +0000

I wonder what “Lean Manufacturing” principles would look like when applied to drug discovery and development? There was an interesting article today in the UT about the typical costs in a genomics lab. I don’t think there’s much elasticity in those costs.

The primary cost borne by most pharmas, is the cost of drugs that don’t make it onto the market. How many businesses can sustain a model where 99% of their R&D is wasted on products that never see the light of day?

By: Miie Wokasch

Miie Wokasch — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 14:35:38 +0000

Steve,
You are exactly right. The challenge for many companies is separating the waste from what is seen as essential.

In my book Pharmaplasia(TM,)I point out that reduction in operating infrastructure and expenses is critical for Big Pharma to survive in the evolving new healthcare market(p. 156). Unfortunately, legacy systems, processes, and “it is how we have always done it” (think SOPs) create an environment that make excess (waste) appear to be necessary.

If Biotech companies recognize this phenomena as they grow they can avoid cumulative waste build up by being critical and disciplined in their expense management before waste gets established as a perceived operational necessity.
Mike Wokasch