A Prescription for Successful Collaborations Week 3

There is so much more to a successful collaboration than just individuals or organisations agreeing to meet and work together. Last week, we discussed two of the seven key points for the Prescription for Successful Collaboration, and this week, we cover two more.

Push Boundaries

Innovation often lies at the intersection of different disciplines and perspectives, encouraging learning at the edge  — where comfort zones are challenged, and unconventional ideas are explored.  This is crucial for nurturing successful collaborations and breakthroughs.

Pharmaceutical collaborations thrive on the synergy of diverse expertise and innovative thinking. Bernard Munos highlights how the big breakthroughs of the twentieth century resulted from companies venturing beyond their core competencies.

Contests held by Innocentive demonstrate that diverse solver populations, often from outside the core field, are more likely to provide innovative solutions, frequently coming from those willing to operate on the edge, embracing risk and unconventional thinking.

Develop Innovation Blueprint

The design of an organisation’s operating model is critical to nurturing effective collaborations and driving innovation. An optimal operating model ensures that all aspects of the organisation work cohesively towards common goals. In pharmaceutical collaborations, this is vital because the complexity and risk involved require seamless integration of diverse expertise and resources. Using the 5 domains of the Galbraith Star Model, we can consider the following:

Strategy is the starting point, defining the direction and scope of the collaboration.

Structure follows strategy, determining the arrangement of roles and responsibilities.

Processes are essential for ensuring smooth operation and communication

Rewards align incentives with collaborative goals

People are at the heart of the operating model. Ensuring the right talent is in place and fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation is crucial

There are several great examples of innovative collaborations, such as Merck and AstraZeneca partnering on a combination therapy for cancer driven by a clear strategic vision, whilst the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) project exemplifies a well-structured collaboration involving government, academia, and industry to sequence tumour genomes.

What you could do this week:

Two actions for you to consider this week:

• Consider how you can cultivate a culture of experimentation by creating an environment where experimentation is encouraged, and failures are seen as learning opportunities rather than setbacks.
• Work with your team to create structures that promote cross-functional teams and fluid communication channels.

Tricordant is here to support you where you may need it as you navigate the journey through these points.  Get in touch if you need some support or want to have a conversation.  Remember, there is more information on our website and in the blogs I have written on this subject.