Slow response times on administrative tasks like NDAs or proposals are not minor issues; they are lead indicators of a bureaucratic, slow-moving CRO. These initial delays predict future problems with project timelines and overall agility, signaling a poor potential partner.
Ron Najafi advises founders to accept investment when it's offered rather than over-negotiating valuation. The security of having capital on hand to navigate unforeseen challenges like clinical study hiccups is more critical for long-term survival than a marginal valuation increase.
Operating a public company isn't just a change in funding; it's like running two entities. One is the operational business, and the other is a public-facing organization requiring constant management of institutional investors, which significantly distracts from core business goals.
Traditional ELISA techniques for biologics are slow and expensive, requiring separate validations for each molecule. Modern mass spectrometry can analyze a mixture of biologics (e.g., six antibodies) in a single, more accurate run, potentially cutting the analytical portion of development costs by 50%.