Around the globe, drug developers are trying to understand how the pandemic will impact the progress of their molecule during preclinical testing. Depending on a testing partner’s response to the pandemic, your project’s status can look drastically different from one laboratory to another. In times of uncertainty, a committed and reliable testing partner is vital to a drug developer’s success. A productive partnership focuses on effective communication, timelines and the forward mobility of your projects.
Building relationships to catalyze success
During the preclinical testing phase of drug development, communication between testing partners and drug developers is essential to keep the compound on track for a timely submission. Miscommunication can potentially lead to study duplication, lost time and increased cost.
Partnering with more than one testing laboratory can increase the work for the drug developer. When one laboratory conducts the studies, there is a high probability they can provide a program manager that can communicate and provide guidance during the different stages of the drug development plan. This not only makes things easier for the drug developer but can sometimes lead to faster execution of studies, as the drug development package can compensate for any downstream delays. Collaborate with your testing partner to evaluate your plan in efforts to find areas to streamline.
Partnerships rely on proper communication to catalyze relationships and the compound’s success. The level of desired contact between the laboratory and drug developer can vary, often depending on the nature of the relationship and the drug developer’s understanding of the study. One way to enhance correspondence is to establish a rapport with your study director. This individual oversees the studies and will manage any issues that arise. A trusting relationship where the sponsor and study director are in regular contact will support success in the long run.
Utilizing timelines & deadlines to prevent stress
Timing can be one of the most significant stressors for drug developers during preclinical testing. Still, there are ways to utilize timelines as a tool, instead of fighting against them. To streamline the process and alleviate pressure, discuss realistic timeline expectations with your testing laboratory and formulate goals before testing begins.
Many laboratories have endured fluctuating timelines due to COVID-19 implications, so researching which testing laboratories are back to operating at full capacity will help to identify a testing partner who has effectively responded to shifting circumstances. Finding a laboratory with a higher capacity for staff and projects during the pandemic can help mitigate potential risks to study timelines and regulatory submission goals.
Staying committed to goals
Your testing partner must act as an extension of your team, remaining dedicated and flexible to propel your project forward. With the right partner, the drug developer will have the experience and knowledge to move their compound forward in the drug development pathway and be able to react to unexpected hiccups along the way.
The drug development industry’s rapid innovation has put it in the spotlight, but so have the challenges due to widespread setbacks. When partnering with a testing laboratory, make sure that they are dedicated to your compound and your goals by organizing concrete communication, timelines and a commitment to moving your project forward. Read more about WuXi AppTec’s commitment and what we’re doing during the COVID-19 pandemic on our blog.
Established in December 2000, WuXi AppTec provides a broad portfolio of R&D and manufacturing services that enable companies in the pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device industries worldwide to advance discoveries and deliver groundbreaking treatments to patients. With industry-leading capabilities such as R&D and manufacturing for small molecule drugs, cell and gene therapies, and testing for medical devices, WuXi AppTec’s open-access platform is enabling more than 3,900 collaborators from over 30 countries to improve the health of those in need – and to realize our vision that “every drug can be made and every disease can be treated.”
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