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news.The upstream development and competitive edge of pharmaceutical, food, cosmetic and agrochemical giants like will depend on how wisely they partner with innovative startups along the value chain, according to a latest report by Lux Research.
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The report, titled ‘Targeting Emerging Delivery Technologies across the Value Chain: From Chemicals and Materials Suppliers to End-Products and Applications,’ applies the Lux Innovation Grid framework to evaluate developers of targeted delivery technologies including advanced materials, encapsulation technologies, biological and chemical targeting platforms, delivery devices, and processing technologies.
The Lux Innovation Grid builds on information gathered in more than 250 executive interviews to assess the technical and business merits of over 100 companies, and also illustrates how companies compare within their respective technology areas.
According to the report, large chemicals and materials companies will capitalise on their substantial expertise and knowledge by collaborating with emerging delivery developers.
This trend is already evident in chemicals supplier BASF’s partnership with OrganoBalance to develop a probiotic delivery system to promote oral health.
Likewise, Dow Corning teamed up with Elevance to develop a line of soy-based actives for incorporation into face creams and lotions.
Delivery technologies initially aimed at medical and pharmaceutical applications are quickly adapting to address opportunities in other verticals, such as food and beverage markets (where they may lower sodium without the loss of flavor) and cosmetics (where they can enhance anti-wrinkle creams without the use of harsh chemicals).
The health care sector will never lose its spot at the top of the food chain. However, in the wake of looming patent expiries and diminishing drug product pipelines, large pharmaceutical companies will look abroad to expand and diversify product portfolios with new delivery technologies.
Sanofi-aventis, for example, recently acquired a smaller China-based pharmaceutical company and established a consumer health care venture in China.
Lux Research research report lead author Chananit Sintuu said novel technologies are really the backbone of targeted delivery: Continued innovation strengthens products all along the value chain.
"Also, since a particular targeted delivery technology can offer value across different industries, materials developers have plenty of opportunities to partner up and enter new markets," Sintuu said.