Outsourcing research and development services from contract research organisations is not uncommon in the pharmaceutical sector. Cross border collaboration, however, has become increasingly important as developers cast their nets geographically to find a CRO partner capable of meeting their requirements around turnaround times, regulatory compliance, proficiency and cost.

Pharmaceutical manufacturers and research organisations face many challenges when it comes to maximising the significant investments in both internal and external R&D resourcing in their drug discovery and development journeys.

In-house R&D involves investment in facilities, technology and equipment, as well as hiring personnel with thorough understanding of regulatory pathways in the UK, US, EU and other markets.

Outsourcing has proven to be a much more cost-effective solution, equipping the drug development industry with a more efficient route to access specialist expertise, knowledge and testing. 

Over 5,500 pharmaceutical companies maintained active research and development programmes in 2023, and the regulatory testing market is expanding to global locations and opening a new path to offshore CRO services.  With 21,000 drugs in the global R&D pipeline in 2023, Hoeford Research is taking advantage of this trend to establish an innovative outsourced research and development platform.

In our latest blog, we’ll address the unique benefits of offshore outsourcing and how China has established itself as a powerhouse for pharmaceutical R&D services.

The rise of the outsourced research and development CRO
Efficiency has always been a crucial factor for pharmaceutical companies and their drug discovery/development pipelines, and a fundamental driver of the move towards outsourcing to CROs. The expertise and resources that offered by CROs contribute to risk management strategies, ensure robust and efficient testing methodologies, and accelerate the overall drug development process.

Why choose offshore R&D providers?
Because they work with a range of customers, many outsourced research and development providers possess a deep understanding of multiple regulatory landscapes. This means they often play a crucial role in helping a promising drug candidate reach pharmacy shelves around the world. 

As global health systems become more streamlined, pharmaceutical businesses are able to maximise profit and capitalise on demand by getting their next-generation drug products into new markets, particularly in growing regions such as India and the Asia Pacific region. This is only achievable through a network of worldwide partnerships, which is where effective cross border collaboration becomes vital.

Collaborating with local partners facilitates market entry and ensures that manufacturers can readily align their drug safety testing with the current regulatory requirements for the location of intended sale.

Outsourced research and development partners are also well-positioned to accelerate market entry by integrating local insights, resources, and infrastructure. 

At Hoeford, we’re well versed in facilitating cross border collaborations. Our unique collaboration with leading CRO, Medicilon, allows us to combine the advantages of offshore testing services with the reassurance of onshore project management.

China’s journey to becoming a pharmaceutical powerhouse
In recent years, China has grown into an international hub for drug discovery and development. Fuelled by advancements in technology, R&D, skilled professionals and alignment with international regulatory standards, China has strengthened its capabilities to become a leader in the future growth of global healthcare. 

In 2022, 32 new drugs were approved in China, including 24 imported drugs and 8 domestic drugs, in 2021 there were over 40 and this year, 126 new drugs have been added to the National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL) for 2023/4. 

Cross border collaboration has helped to propel recognition of China’s CRO sector by pharmaceutical manufacturers and biotechnology research organisations, many of which are choosing to outsource their regulatory testing to China because of the obvious advantages the country can offer. 

The benefits of outsourcing research and development to China
CROs in China excel in providing high quality drug discovery and development services. The skilled workforce, expansive capacity and overseas partnerships have moulded their offerings to appeal to developers and manufacturers who are motivated by a number of different factors:

Competitive pricing – Lower labour costs, reduced overheads, economies of scale and government support combine to allow CROs in China to offer highly competitive pricing strategies. 

Specialised skillsets – Leading CROs in China are every bit as experienced and scientifically knowledgeable as their counterparts in other global markets. This means that for particular areas of research, China’s CROs offer high quality and highly efficient processes and testing workflows via integrated testing packages which are customised and strategically aligned to regulatory needs.

We collaborate with Medicilon, for example. A leading global CRO based in Shanghai China, and Boston US, Medicilon is known for cutting-edge expertise in the development of small molecule drugs, PROTACS, ADCs and AOCs. Meanwhile, Hoeford Research has been at the forefront of regulatory toxicology testing services for over 60 years, helping global pharmaceutical developers to identify potential toxicity during the registration of new formulations. Through our collaboration we can help tailor a flexible preclinical development package that aligns with your development pipeline.

Timelines – Chinese CROs operate at a scale unseen in the UK. Their expansive capacity means that they can usually meet or exceed project timelines without risking noncompliance with regulatory standards. Turnaround times are a key factor for developers during their decision-making process, ensuring that they are competitive in the race to commercialisation and ROI.

The decision to engage in cross-border collaboration with China CROs can also open opportunities to access the thriving Chinese drug market.

The benefits of cost-efficiency, skilled labour, global expertise, and market entry potential establish China as a strategically advantageous destination for developers looking for quality, speed and lowered investment when outsourcing their research and development. 

Choosing Hoeford Research’s unique CRO strategy
Hoeford Research is proud to partner with leading outsourced service provider, Medicilon. We are committed to offering comprehensive solutions to our customers, enabling them to confidently advance drug candidates along the development continuum through strategic project management and access to Medicilon’s advanced CRO services. 

If you are a developer looking for innovation driven processes, access to next-generation technology, navigation of regulatory complexities and streamlined project management, look no further than Hoeford and Medicilon.

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