1. Industry-Standard Due Diligence Review. We take advantage of the immense talent pool in southeastern Pennsylvania by creating a list of highly-qualified reviewers and mentors to evaluate basic discoveries at academic and non-profit institutions by an industry-standard due diligence review process. Many professors and principal investigators are doing great basic research, but do not have the expertise required to conduct the applied value added experiments and studies needed prior to generating commercial interest. We provide advice on project flowchart design and interpretation of data. We can also help to coordinate projects via project teams located here at the PBC. The due diligence review starts by the initial evaluation of the technology by PDDI Directors. This is followed by the creation of six to eight person due diligence teams, comprised of members who have self-identified as being interested in such activities. The teams encompass all of the required disciplines represented in modern industrial research including medicinal chemistry (if relevant), pharmacology, toxicology, regulatory affairs, preclinical development, intellectual property and commercial review.
The recommendations from such review are invaluable, and can promote the discovery and commercialization of entire new technologies in the health care area. The reviewers may suggest additional studies to be performed or new collaborators that would add value to the program under study. They may also suggest specific steps to create and protect intellectual property by virtue of patent protection, or avenues to pursue for additional funding or evaluation. Finally, such a panel may recommend the creation of one or more associated spin-off companies which could add value to the technology and create new jobs and expertise. In addition to reviewing individual patents or unpatented discoveries, the PDDI can provide advice and guidance on platform technologies and patent estates, such as the review of a family of patents from a university or other institution, in order to rank order them as to their relative merits and suitability for commercialization later. The PDDI has access to literature and patent databases needed to conduct a thorough scientific and literature review.
2. PDDI Knowledge-Based Community. One of the strengths of the PBC is a knowledge-based community consisting of an active seminar program, frequent journal clubs, and sharing of information and equipment. The PDDI extends this spirit of collaboration into the applied arena of drug discovery research.
3. Network of Regional Drug Discovery Capabilities. Together with related organizations at Temple University, University of Pennsylvania, Drexel University and biotechnology companies in the area, we seek to compile networked lists of the providers of industry-standard tests required in modern drug discovery at steeply-discounted rates.
4. To Promote Public-Private Partnerships. Foster the interface between academia and non-profit research institutions and the private sector. Work together with academic researchers at the PBC and elsewhere in the region to facilitate the transfer of basic technology discoveries into commercial opportunities. Promote the protection of intellectual property, such as by use of the legal counsel located at the PBC.
5. Transfer of In-Kind Donations. The PDDI manages and maintains scientific assets emanating from donations of glassware, equipment, reagents and solvents by major pharmaceutical companies as they downsize or close their facilities. These assets are made available to the PBC community for the benefit of interested scientists.
