By forming an alliance niche companies can generate business for each other, offer clients the benefits of outsourcing to one geographic region and in turn boost the fortunes of the state. This has led to alliances being formed in Kansas, US and now Michigan.

Each company brings niche expertise to the Michigan CMC (pharmaceutical chemistry, manufacturing and control development) Alliance, which it hopes will provide a “distinct advantage” to clients.

Bill Pfund, a director at Eurofins AvTech Laboratories, said: "There is an abundance of pharma industry knowledge within Michigan; niche experts in each phase or components necessary to propel a drug forward through the development process.

“It seemed a natural fit to combine our forces in a strategic alliance. Each company shares a common mission and vision along with a dedication to delivering quality, on-time results with the highest degree of scientific integrity."

Benefits of bunching

Large contract service providers’ comprehensive development packages have achieved time and cost savings for clients and alliances provide a method for niche companies to offer some of these benefits.

The Kansas group, called the National Drug Development Accelerator, believes that by forming an alliance the companies can complete development programmes quicker and more efficiently. In addition since the companies are geographically concentrated clients can potentially make savings.

The companies in the Michigan CMC Alliance are Ash Stevens, BioSTAT Consultants, Eurofins, Global Clinical Connections, Pharmaceutical Development Consulting, PharmaMed Resources, ProReg Resources and Velesco Pharmaceutical Services.