Description
Investigating the less than sterling economic performance of the biotechnology sector over the course of the past three decades, Pisano (business administration, Harvard Business School) argues that the industry is not structurally organized to handle the technologically- dictated functional requirements of risk management, integration, and learning. He argues that this is because a strong focus on monetizing intellectual property has impeded flows of information, led to fragmentation, and created a proliferation of new firms, all of which work against the previously named functional requirements. If biotech is to overcome this situation, it needs to realize that it can't just borrow business models, organizational strategies, and approaches from other high technology industries and must fashion a business strategy that is specifically tailored to the scientific requirements of biotech. Annotation ©2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
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Why has the biotechnology industry failed to perform up to expectations—despite all its promise? In Science Business, Gary P. Pisano answers this question by providing an incisive critique of the industry. Pisano not only reveals the underlying causes of biotech's problems; he offers the most sophisticated analysis yet on how the industry works. And he provides clear prescriptions for companies, investors, and policy makers seeking ways to improve the industry's performance. According to Pisano, the biotech industry's problems stem from its special character as a science-based business. This character poses three unique business challenges: how to finance highly risky investments under profound uncertainty and long time horizons for R&D, how to learn rapidly enough to keep pace with advances in drug science knowledge, and how to integrate capabilities across a broad spectrum of scientific and technological knowledge bases.The key to fixing the industry? Business models, organisational structures, and financing arrangements that place greater emphasis on integration and long-term learning over shorter—term 'monetisation' of intellectual property. Pisano maintains that all industry players—biotech firms, investors, universities, pharmaceutical companies, government regulators—can play a role in righting the industry. The payoff? Valuable improvements in health care, and a shinier future for human well-being.
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