In the 1990s, companies took charge of all stages of drug development, from research to commercialization. This is how the first effective drug against HIV, 3TC, and one of the most important treatments for asthma, Montelukast, whose name is inspired by Montreal, were born here.
Today, companies instead entrust the different phases of development to CROs, who have specialized expertise in specific niches. Their services cover a wide range, from drug research to clinical studies.
According to Benoit Larose, president and CEO of BioQuébec, the industry has therefore transitioned from a vertical model to a horizontal model. He cites the success of the Quebec company Inversago Pharma, which subcontracted with several Quebec CROs in the development of its molecule for the treatment of obesity: “Inversago has invested very little in its physical facilities . Instead, it developed its intellectual property and contracted out certain stages of development to other local companies. The company has almost no labs, but it was just sold for US$1 billion. »
Diex Recherche is one of some 80 Quebec CROs whose know-how is sought after by large pharmaceutical companies. The company employs nearly 100 full-time people and 50 doctors under contract in 5 laboratories in Quebec. Its specialization is the study of effectiveness in humans of products not marketed or whose dosage we wish to change.
For its president, Suzie Talbot, the company’s mission is nothing more and nothing less than changing the future of humanity: “No matter where they are on the planet, we want to seek out the most promising for people who have needs here in Quebec. »
Not a small challenge, but it is clear that Diex Recherche is truly writing health history. The Sherbrooke company has in fact been working for years on the study of a drug for Alzheimer’s, and it has just been approved by the FDA and is in the approval process by Health Canada: “For a very long time, there was no progress despite the large quantity of research projects. And now it’s happening, and we’ve been working with Quebec patients on this for years. »
The life sciences ecosystem is therefore in good health. According to Frank Béraud, President and CEO of Montréal InVivo, the restructuring of the business model creates unparalleled dynamism among CROs.
Suzie Talbot agrees: “The expertise we have developed here is known and recognized worldwide. »
However, growth poses its share of challenges, particularly in terms of financing. According to Frank Béraud, access to financing is one of the most complex issues for these very niche companies: “It is not an easy sector for financiers to understand, so it is not easy to have the the involvement of banks to support growth. »
According to Benoit Larose, the issue is exacerbated by the fact that CROs are service companies: “Unlike biopharmaceutical companies, tax credits are not at the same level. As they offer services, they do not have the same levers as those who develop drugs. We cannot therefore respond to their challenges through traditional support mechanisms in this sector. »
One possible solution, according to him, would be to rethink the state approach in relation to the support offered to this segment of businesses. “Governments tend to see service businesses as less attractive, but when a team generates the majority of its revenue overseas, it is an exporter. The knowledge economy is about service. We must avoid devaluing that. »
