Biotechnology Consultants

Albany Molecular Research Inc.

Lynx Therapeutics

Neose Technologies Inc.

Guide to Biotechnology Consultants

By Linda C. Ray
Biotechnology consultants take your breakthrough from the lab to the market

Biotech consultants work with individuals, businesses and non-profits to turn research into a marketable product. Biotech consulting is a broad term for a fast-growing industry; biotech experts may provide everything from scientific expertise to business savvy. The best biotech consulting firms combine both to give you solid advice as you raise capital, develop your product and find a market.

Biotechnology consulting is an outgrowth of the management consultancy industry. A biotechnology consultant may provide any or all of the following services:

1. Biotechnology experts explore the full range of a concept's application.

2. Biotech consultants carry out focused market research to determine the likely demand for a product.

3. A biotech consultant makes sure an idea is protected against intellectual property theft and licensed as needed.

4. Biotech consulting is expected to streamline the production process for maximum efficiency and quick profit.

5. A biotechnology consultancy will write a comprehensive business plan and develop presentations for potential investors.

6. Biotechnology consultants raise money for research and development through grants and private investments.

Action Steps

The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Research a biotechnology consultant thoroughly Ask for and call on all the referrals given to you by your potential biotech consultants. Since this is such a new and growing industry segment, you'll want to make sure you are bringing in top professionals since it is your business on the line.

I recommend:  Bio Smart Brief is an online newsletter that covers biotech consulting companies and can offer tips when looking to hire a biotech consultant. Check the credentials of a prospective biotech consultant at MacRae's Blue Book.

Use a short-term biotechnology consulting contract to create a template for your project Bring in the biotech experts to write the basic terms and conditions of your project before turning it over to staff or funding the project. Save possible time and money on proposals that may not work after all.

I recommend:  Hire a firm such as Biotechnology Business Consultants who specialize in project planning and development. Big outfits such as Frost and Sullivan can even come in and offer preliminary research to let you know if you should even go in the projected direction you are considering.

Turn the biotech specialists into in-house employees While many biotechnology specialists prefer to move from company to company to work on a limited basis and get a variety of projects under their belts, many other biotechnology consultants are looking for permanence with a solid company that has room for growth. consider adding a biotech expert to your payroll so that you don't have to deal with the issues associated with outsourcing.

I recommend:  Vault offer job descriptions and current salary ranges for in-house biotech experts. And the Sci Web Biotechnology Career Center has an enormous database of professionals seeking permanent placement.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• Biotechnology experts do not typically care where they work as long as they are continually challenged. Provide an exciting environment and you can forgo the consultancy search once you've hired the best for your own staffing requirements.