The key aspects during departmental technology transfer : A case study at a biopharmaceutical company

Abstract: In this case study the authors have tried to fill the gap of technology transferliterature focused on the biopharmaceutical industry. The technology transferliterature displays a clear industry-specific gap, mostly focused on heavy- andpharmaceutical industries. The authors have tried to find the key aspects of asuccessful technology transfer from the literature on the subject from alldifferent industries. The authors have then used these aspects to create atheoretical framework of the aspects that are possibly applicable in thebiopharmaceutical industry. A case study has been conducted at The Company which has a long pedigreeas one of the most innovative companies within the biopharmaceuticalindustry. The Company both develops and manufactures diagnostic tests forantibodies in animals, and their products are today widely known within theindustry. The authors have conducted a series of interviews, a non-participantobservation and also reviewed documentation of previous productsdevelopment processes. These qualitative methods have provided bothempirical evidence of similarities between the technology transfer literatureand a biopharmaceutical technology transfer process, as well as evidence ofwhat aspects are of importance in the biopharmaceutical industry. Using thisabductive research strategy, the authors have determined the key aspects thatare conceivably applicable in the biopharmaceutical industry. These are Goalcombability, Communication and documentation, Transfer plan andInterdepartmental collaboration. These aspects have not been implementedand therefore not been tested at The Company.