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  • September 2014
  • Case
  • HBS Case Collection

Pfizer's Centers for Therapeutic Innovation (CTI)

By: Gary Pisano, James Weber and Kait Szydlowski
  • Format:Print
  • | Language:English
  • | Pages:25
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Abstract

In 2010, Pfizer established four small research units in New York, Boston, San Francisco, and San Diego located close to several premier Academic Medical Centers (AMCs), or hospitals with adjoining medical schools. The goal of these units was to redesign collaboration with Pfizer and academic medical researchers with the purpose of developing new, innovative drug candidates for testing in patients. Project teams consisted of Pfizer scientists and academics working side-by-side to reduce the time needed to bring a therapeutic drug from the lab to a patient's bedside. This case explores the academic collaboration model developed by Pfizer. What were the strengths of and challenges facing this model? How would the model evolve in the future? And how would new, similar collaboration models surfacing at other major pharmaceutical companies pose a threat to the Pfizer model?

Keywords

Drug Development; Academic Collaboration; Research And Development; Innovation; Translational Research; Management; Operations; Problems and Challenges; Research; Science; Information Technology; Strategy; Biotechnology Industry; Pharmaceutical Industry; North and Central America; Europe; Asia

Citation

Pisano, Gary, James Weber, and Kait Szydlowski. "Pfizer's Centers for Therapeutic Innovation (CTI)." Harvard Business School Case 615-024, September 2014.
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About The Author

Gary P. Pisano

Technology and Operations Management
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