Basically, technology transfer is the passing on of knowledge and skills associated with a process or a product from a creator to a recipient. For technology transfer services to be successful, both parties involved have to work together. The information passed to the recipient company must be sufficient enough to allow it duplicate the pharmaceutical processes and products. Actually, technology transfer services may be offered to more than one recipient. In such a case, information transferred to each recipient must be consistent to enhance production of identical products differing in packaging alone. There is more to technology transfer than sharing of skills and expertise.

In the pharmaceutical industry, technology transfer is considered as a collaborative approach to improve global health. Low and middle income countries benefit a lot from technology transfer services. Through technology transfer, developing countries are able to access knowledge, experience and equipment related to advanced and innovative industrial products and processes.

There is no better method to bridge the Research and Development (R&D) and access gap in developing countries than through technology transfer. Some of the factors that may reinforce technology transfer services include political stability and good economic governance, availability of skilled workers, strong intellectual property rights as well as effective enforcement and quality relationship between the parties involved in technology transfer. The parties involved must be able to work together for long periods of time. Teamwork is a key ingredient for effective technology transfer services while disunity is a key impediment to success.

Apparently, technology transfer is more than simply handing over technology. The transfer of R&D pharmaceuticals occurs through many channels. There are various elements of technology transfer package and they include transfer of physical objects. Physical objects such as equipment for use in research laboratories and manufacturing equipment can be handed over to the recipient by the company offering technology transfer services.

The technology transfer services also feature skills and human aspects of technology management and learning. For instance, a training course for researchers may be organized where the personnel are equipped with vast technical know how and skills regarding pharmaceuticals. This is one of the most effective methods of tech transfer; the recipients are able to master the various pharmaceutical processes and procedures.

In addition, technology transfer involves handing over of techniques, organizational and procedural knowledge needed to operate a given technology relating to pharmaceutical products. The main goal for tech transfer in pharma is to promote health and social development through spreading of scientific knowledge.

The pharmaceutical industry is characterized by vast competitive and technological changes. New drug chemistries, innovative R&D partnerships and marketing plans are influencing many business strategies of pharmaceutical companies. The aspect of technology transfer has become the face of many pharmaceutical companies. The process of drug discovery is involving and takes time. Many upcoming pharmaceutical industries find it viable to outsource technology transfer services from leading pharmaceutical companies. Currently, efficient and effective transfer of technology is considered as a key component to gaining competitive advantage. In the rapidly changing commercial environment of the pharmaceutical industries, many companies are adopting the concept of tech transfer.

Ian Moore is the author of this article on Technology transfer. Find more information on Technology transfer services here