A look back at the Cell and Gene Therapy Progress in 2022

Cell and gene therapy

A Look Back at Cell and Gene Therapy Progress in 2022

Despite considerable headwinds confronting the entire biopharmaceutical industry, 2022 has been a banner year for approvals in the cell and gene therapy space. While investment in the sector is not yet back to where it was two years ago, the industry is once again trending up when it comes to research and development spending and forging partnerships. The success of innovative products launched over the next few years will likely depend on the ability of companies both to gain access to new markets and implement value-based pricing arrangements. However, meeting program timelines and delivering on commitments to the investment community will also be critical for firms to achieve any future commercial success and to maintain momentum in the space.

 We invite you to read our perspective on the Cell & Gene Therapy space in 2022.

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Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy

Primecore respects your privacy and our site visitors’ information. We do not share, sell, or rent any of the personally identifiable information collected to any third parties and do not intend to do so in the future.

  1. Information Collected
    If you request or submit information to us by sending an email via info@primecorepm.com or by filling out a “contact” form, we may save your email address as well as any other information you provide. This information may be used to contact you in the future by mail, email, or phone to convey information about our solutions or services that we feel may benefit you. Your email and other information will not be sold to any third party.
  2. Information Collected by Others
    This notice addresses only the Primecore website policy, and does not apply to sites that users access via links from our site. Primecore is not responsible for the information collecting policies of other sites, for the practices employed by websites linked to or from our website, or for the information or content contained therein. Often, links to other websites are provided solely on the basis that they may contain useful information for our visitors. Users of Primecore should review the privacy policy of other websites.
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  5. Legally Compelled Disclosure of Information
    Primecore may disclose information when legally compelled to do so: when we, in good faith, believe that the law requires us to do so or for the protection of our legal rights.
  6. Periodic Policy Changes
    Please note that Primecore reviews its privacy practices from time-to-time (i.e. to track technology and/or legal changes), and that these practices are subject to change. To ensure continuing familiarity with the most current version of our privacy policy, please bookmark and periodically review this page. This policy statement is made in the name of Primecore and is effective as of December 8, 2022. This statement does not create an agreement between Primecore and users, and as such, does not create any legal rights for any party.
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Strategies

glass whiteboard pharmaceutical strategic planning chart

Prioritizing your programs is key to success, but strategic alignment also plays a key role

The adage is quite simple: Before deciding what we are going to do, we need to be clear and aligned on why we are doing it. Coming up with the right answers relies on careful analysis and goal setting.

The business case justifies the investment.

A business case justifies a program but doesn’t necessarily authorize it. Not all programs with a positive business case will be approved just as not all items in a budget will be approved. At Primecore, we advocate prioritizing programs according to the products they support. Not all products have equal importance to the organization or to the market. Programs need to be prioritized based on their value and impact to the organization and resources allocated accordingly. With resources constrained, only the most impactful programs should be pursued. Remember that you can do anything but you can’t do everything.

“Remember that you can do anything but you can’t do everything.”

A business case can answer the following questions:

  • How is the initiative aligned with Company strategy?
  • What business strategic benefit is associated with this initiative?
  • What are the benefit risks and assumptions?
  • What impact will this initiative have on the business?

With a focus on corporate objectives and prioritization, a pragmatic and business aligned strategy can be developed.

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Insights

chromosome biotech development blue on dark background

We focus on program risks: Can you deliver the program on time, on budget and meet your milestones?

At Primecore, we focus on de-risking your programs so that the science of the product can reveal itself and have a succinct path to market. We recognize by the general nature of product development that all risks can’t be mitigated, but all risks can be made transparent.

We believe there are 3 main risk categories for every pipeline project:

  • Product Risk:
    Will it be efficacious? Will it meet your clinical endpoints? Can you achieve your desired TPP? 
  • Market risk:
    Can you meet your sales goals? What is the competitive landscape? What are the risks to the pricing and reimbursement strategy? 
  • Program risk:
    Can you deliver the program on time, on budget and meet your milestones?

As a solution, we run risk workshops for all programs and clearly communicate the outcomes by using a structured approach to identify program uncertainties and then develop mitigation strategies for each risk.

We also use tools such as Monte Carlo simulation to quantify the impact on cost and schedule. Using a probabilistic approach better captures the range of outcomes based on risk rather than a single expected value approach.

Risk registers capture the risks, assign mitigations, and are used to hold owners accountable.

The Program Risk Management Process should be initiated during Strategic Planning phase, further developed during early planning phase and updated & implemented during the detailed planning and program delivery phases. Risk Management is a full program lifecycle activity and should become a core part of the program management process.

Definitions

Risk

Program risk is an uncertain event or condition that, if it occurs, has a positive or negative effect on one or more program objectives such as scope, schedule, cost or quality.

Risk Management

A process that allows individual risk events and overall risk to be understood and managed proactively.

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Contact Us

4 biopharmaceutical consultants

Let’s Talk!

Better results begin here

If you’re ready to explore proven and effective ways to help your products reach their full potential, let’s talk.

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    Careers

    biotech project management consultants lab

    We offer our clients
    a unique blend of experience

    One primary attribute sets Primecore apart from other consulting firms:

    Our consultants also have significant client-side experience within the life sciences.

    It’s more than smart business; this industry expertise also fosters a sense of trust and partnership between our team members and the clients we serve. Our clients respect the fact that we have worked on their side of the fence, and they rely on us to deliver effective recommendations that take into account the realities they face.

    If you want to work with a forward-thinking firm that is redefining life science consulting, let us hear from you. We are always looking for experienced personnel to join our team.

    pharma operations business strategy venn diagram

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      Case Studies

      Case Studies

      Primecore has an established track record of addressing some of the most complex challenges you may be facing. Read how our services have made a difference in these success stories.

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      Leadership

      cell therapy consulting lab tech cu woman

      Translating
      your goals into
      Operational Programs

      All programs are derived from the overall strategic goals of the company in line with the Long Range Plan (LRP). The overall corporate strategy defines the corporate goals which are translated into objectives and strategic initiatives backed by a business case. The programs are an output of these initiatives and are required to realize the overall strategy. The strategy cascade is as follows:

      long range strategic planning flowchart LRP
      Click to enlarge

      It is critically important to align the team around chartered programs and clearly identify the business objective it supports and the assumptions on which the business case rests. All of these can be captured in a simple yet effective program charter document, which lives with the program and is updated throughout as required.

      It is also important to remember that the business case justifies the program but the charter authorizes it. If an assumption changes that nullifies the business case, the program must immediately be re-evaluated. It becomes imperative that the linkage between the corporate strategy and the program is maintained to ensure that the benefits are realized. The wrong investment expertly executed is still of no value to the organization.

      “The wrong investment expertly executed is still of no value to the organization.”

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      Services

      How We Help Our Clients

      By maintaining a narrow focus, we offer an unmatched depth of expertise in four key areas that ultimately determine both the short- and long-term success of a product.

      life sciences strategy consulting meeting

      Product Program Management

      • Program management for pipeline products
      • CMC leadership for pipeline products
      • Pipeline modeling & investment strategies
      • Risk assessments
      cell and gene therapy lab scientist man

      Network and Supply Strategy

      • Product and manufacturing strategies
      • Capacity planning
      • Long-term facilities planning
      • Network Strategy & Guilding Principles
      • Decision analysis & probabilistic modeling
      • Make vs. buy analysis
      meeting of pipeline modeling consultants aerial view

      Capital Program Management

      • Deploy best practices
      • Capital program leadership
      • Capital program management
      • Facility, equipment and IT  management
      • Asset life cycle programs
      2 operations strategy planning consultants standing with iPad laptop

      Operations and Continuous Improvement

      • Business processes implementation
      • Capital equipment lifecycle  management
      • Facility optimization
      • Operations optimization
      • Laboratory throughput analysis

      Product Program Management

      It all starts with your products, or assets, as they drive the value in your company. We help unlock the potential of your assets by deploying best practices of program management coupled with our experienced, pragmatic approach to developing biologics. Priorities can change quickly so the business processes require both structure and agility to be successful.

      For any program we manage, we ensure each critical phase is complete as defined below:

      • Strategic Phase: 
        Determines the optimum strategy to realize the product and program’s objectives in a way that maximizes benefit, minimizes business risk, meets timelines and minimizes impact to company resources

        Deliverables may include a program requirements document, an initial TPP, milestone schedule, partner proposals (CROs, CDMOs), cost estimates, program deliverables list, and functional strategy documents
      • Planning Phase: 
        Details out the approved strategy with a plan and approach that ensures the requirements are met

        Deliverables may include a Project Execution Plan, budget estimates, partner SOWs, risk register, resource plan and detailed schedule
      • Execution Phase: 
        Delivers the plan within the approved budgetary and schedule guidelines

        Deliverables may include detailed finalized SOWs, change control documentation, KPIs and progress reports to governance

      Primecore can assist at any level

      Our team can help at any phase of a program – either starting one new or helping with the final stages of execution. We find that often the upfront steps are missing or skipped, which creates confusion for the team. Helping to organize the program and establishing the requirements can be of a great value no matter what phase you are in.

      Services include

      • Product strategy development
      • Product program management
      • CMC program management
      • Strategic portfolio management
      • CMC subject matter experts (SMEs)
      • Business case development
      • Program and project benchmarking
      • Establish best practices
      • Risk management

      Network and Supply Strategy

      The commercial and business strategy needs to be translated into an operations strategy for each product and for the supply network. We help our clients develop the Operations strategy and then determine the optimum network based on requirements and guiding principles. Individual product CMC strategies and life cycle plans are then developed to align with the overall network.

      Operations Strategy (network and product) is developed using a framework that first establishes the corporate strategy and strategic goals. From these, the Operations strategy is derived using a logical progression of steps:

      corporate and operations strategic planning cascade

      We help our clients with every step of the process and find that focusing on the Requirements and Guiding Principles are critical for establishing a pragmatic and business aligned strategy for Operations.

      Services include

      • Network guiding principles
      • CMC and manufacturing strategies
      • Capacity modeling and planning
      • Establish business processes
      • Facilities strategy and space planning
      • Make vs. buy analysis
      • Decision analysis and probabilistic modeling
      • CDMO selection

      Capital Program Management

      Delivering capital programs is where our best practices were developed. The greatest value of any capital project is typically locked in at the concept phase which is why we focus intensely on upfront project definition. The investment must be aligned with the business case and ensure the program benefits are realized upon completion.

      The client company’s value is all in their products, but products need what we call key enablers to reach their potential. Often times these are physical assets that need to be built such as laboratories, a vivarium, process development space, or a GMP manufacturing facility. Managing the capital programs to meet the needs of the products and ultimately the needs of the business is critical for success.

      cost benefit realization by phase graph
      Click to enlarge

      At Primecore, we focus intensely on the Strategic and Planning Phases as that is where we see nearly all of the program’s value achieved. Interestingly, the phases with the least cost impact deliver the most value yet are often overlooked.

      Similar to product programs, we follow the same schema for capital – we ensure each critical phase is complete with a formal stage gate and approved charter before advancing to the next.

      Services include

      • Feasibility studies
      • Program management
      • Project execution
      • Owner’s representative
      • Project controls
      • Benchmarking
      • Stage gate models & guidelines
      • Risk management
      • Lessons learned workshops

      Operations and Continuous Improvement

      Your facilities are key enablers to your products success and require optimization to deliver on the investment. As processes change or new products are introduced, it is important to reevaluate your operations and ensure the product program requirements are met now and in the future, always accounting for the variables in-between products.

      Operationally, it’s important to instill an Operational Excellence mindset in order to get more out of your network, facility or processes. That is why we approach operational based assignments with a focus on both continuous improvement as well as Change Management. Ultimately, operational excellence is not just about reducing costs or increasing productivity. It’s about creating the culture that will allow our clients to achieve long-term sustainable growth. Our team deploys the principles of change management while deploying Six Sigma tools or implementing Lean Manufacturing, as both are required for long term success.

      We have helped clients analyze their process and facilities, modeled plant and network capacity and helped Operations teams meet the increasing demands for the product. We routinely evaluate impact vs. effort and, in particular, categorize opportunities based on regulatory requirements as well. Opportunities to run smarter without a process change are always more favorable.

      Business processes also need to be implemented or optimized as organizations and portfolios grow. We have helped clients with their financial reporting, maintenance programs, and S&OP processes among others. It is important that Operations business systems are not person based but sustainable and scalable as the company grows.

      Services Include

      • Process modeling and optimization
      • Capital equipment lifecycle management
      • Value stream mapping
      • Implementation of business process
      • Sales & operations planning
      • Facility optimization and space planning
      • Laboratory throughput analysis
      • Scale-up and scale-out management
      • Tech transfer program management
      • Organizational design
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      About Us

      Our mission is to partner with our clients to make operational improvements so that they can deliver on their commitments.

      We do this by bringing together strategic leaders with a record of high performance within pharmaceutical firms; by driving transformational change through effective portfolio and program management; and by applying best practices and leading-edge technical expertise to every phase of operations.

      The Primecore Team

      Our people have all been on the client side with a wide range of expertise and have managed complex programs across the globe.

      Phil Beccue

      Phil Beccue

      Decision Analysis
      Dave Clark

      Dave Clark

      Program & CMC Lead
      Claire Comerford

      Claire Comerford

      Program Lead
      Eileen Counihan

      Eileen Counihan

      Quality Lead
      Brad Crisel

      Brad Crisel

      Senior Partner
      Elizabeth Dunne

      Elizabeth Dunne

      Group Finance
      Martin Felgenhauer

      Martin Felgenhauer

      Program & Process Lead
      Colette Hawkins

      Colette Hawkins

      Senior Partner
      Roy Johnston

      Roy Johnston

      Associate Partner
      Helen Kelleher

      Helen Kelleher

      Program Lead
      Dara Kernan

      Dara Kernan

      Managing Partner
      Sergey Kutyev

      Sergey Kutyev, PhD

      Program Lead
      Antoinette McTigue

      Antoinette McTigue, PhD

      Program Lead
      Jay Modha

      Jay Modha, PhD

      CMC & Analytics SME
      Kishor Modha

      Kishor Modha, PhD

      Program & CMC Lead
      Ben Spink

      Ben Spink

      Associate Partner
      Maria Stynes

      Maria Stynes

      Project Cost Controls Lead
      Michael Sweetman

      Michael Sweetman

      Program & Supply Chain Lead
      Marian Walsh

      Marian Walsh

      Project Controls Lead
      Joe Wardle

      Joe Wardle

      Program Lead
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