Top 4 Marketplaces for R'D Outsourcing

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Research and development (R&D) outsourcing is becoming increasingly popular among companies, especially those in the pharmaceutical and technology sectors. This is due to the fact that outsourcing R&D projects can help save money, increase efficiency, drive innovation and free up resources to focus on core activities and critical tasks.

Online R&D marketplaces have revolutionized the way businesses approach research and development. These platforms provide access to a vast global talent pool and new ideas (obviously more than in the local markets), allowing companies to tap into a diverse range of expertise and perspectives. By using an online marketplace, businesses can eliminate the need for in-house research teams or the hassle of searching for proven contractors independently. Instead, they can easily connect with qualified professionals from around the world and collaborate on projects in real-time. Not only does this streamline the research process, but it also significantly reduces paperwork and time consuming administrative processes associated with hiring and managing outsourced research. The online marketplace model has proven to be a game-changer for businesses of all sizes, offering a cost-effective and efficient way to access cutting edge technologies and services. Overall, online R&D marketplaces are an essential tool for businesses looking to stay competitive in today's fast-paced and ever-changing market.

However, it can be difficult to know which marketplace is best for your needs. In this guide, we'll explore the top four marketplaces for R&D outsourcing, so you can make an informed decision.

Types of Outsourcing: MedPharma & Tech

Pharmacological and technical outsourcing are two different approaches that businesses can take to outsource their research needs. While both involve outsourcing companies to conduct research, they have different features and requirements.

Pharmacological outsourcing typically involves outsourcing companies that specialize in conducting research related to drugs and medications. These companies are well-versed in the regulatory requirements and research methods needed to successfully develop and test new drugs. The research rates for pharmacological outsourcing may be higher due to the specialized knowledge and expertise required. Additionally, stringent regulatory requirements and ethical considerations often come into play, which can add to the complexity and cost of the research.

On the other hand, technical outsourcing involves outsourcing companies that specialize in conducting research related to software, hardware, and other technical products. These companies are skilled in conducting research and testing on new products in order to ensure their viability and functionality. The research rates for technical outsourcing may be lower compared to pharmacological outsourcing, as the research requirements are often less complex.

Choosing a Marketplace to Achieve a Competitive Advantage

First, you should consider the size and scope of your project. If you are looking to outsource a large project, such as a pharmaceutical development project, then you should look for a marketplace with experience in this area.

Next, you should consider the pricing and payment models offered by the marketplace. Some marketplaces offer fixed pricing, while others offer variable pricing. You should also consider the payment models offered, such as pay-as-you-go or subscription-based models.

Finally, you should consider the customer service offered by each marketplace. Some marketplaces offer customer support and project management services, while others do not.

Top 4 Marketplaces Where You Can Find Outsourcing Companies

There are four main marketplaces to consider: Scientist, Science Exchange, Contract Laboratory, Sciamp.

Scientist is an online marketplace that, in addition to R&D outsourcing, offers the purchase of research consumables and an artificial intelligence service for finding a disease model.

Science Exchange helps to streamline the process of researching, selecting, and hiring service providers, which eliminates the need for extensive research and negotiations.

Contract Laboratory is a bulletin board focused on laboratories and everything related to them: testing, scientific services and the purchase of consumables.

Sciamp is the only marketplace that offers services from suppliers for all stages of research and in all areas of knowledge. Has a more technical specialisation.

The marketplace is incredibly useful when it comes to outsourcing R&D efforts - with an impressive selection of 10 million products, a huge range of services, and 40 thousand providers.

Not only is this website utilized by the FDA, but also big names in the pharmaceutical business such as Merck and AstraZeneca. This platform is a powerful tool for connecting individuals with the same science-related goals.

Prices

5% of closed deals

Pros

• the team is super enthusiastic about answering any queries or fulfilling your requests
• without registration, you can check the availability of the necessary suppliers in a particular region (but their contacts are hidden)
• get together a large number of influential companies from the pharmaceutical industry
• scientists can easily identify and order reagents with the help of numerous search filters and categories

Cons

• only for Pharmaceutical and Biotech
• too much emails

Through a partnership with Science Exchange, researchers have the opportunity to access an incredible 3,500+ scientific vendors and 7,000 services quickly and without the typical delays associated with contract negotiation and supplier onboarding. With the user-friendly platform, scientists can maximize their productivity and collaborate with suppliers securely, manage projects conveniently and easily process payments automatically.

Science Exchange partners with renowned pharmaceutical companies, such as Amgen, BMS, Sanofi Genzyme, GSK, and more. They will even offer free white glove service, with experienced agents holding a M.Sc. or Ph.D. to help the user discover the most suitable service provider for their project. Furthermore, service providers are able to build their own "storefront" on the Science Exchange platform.

Prices

Free for service providers.

Pros

• impartial audit of service providers, thereby allowing those requesting services to be informed of previous provider performance
• collaboration with the majority of the top 20 pharmaceutical companies
• convenient concierge service that looks after the entire project process
• compliance team takes charge of projects that necessitate regulated work
• carefully crafted agreements make sure that payments are properly transferred and intellectual property is safeguarded

Cons

• only for Biopharmaceutical, Medical Devices, Consumer Health, Agriscience, Animal Health, Cosmetics Research and Food Science industries
• sharing emails on the platform is not permitted
• service provider offers are hidden

Contract Laboratory stands out from other online marketplaces due to its functioning as a bulletin board. People can create an account, post their requests and service providers can check the requests they have the expertise to provide.

Contract Laboratory has been a trusted partner for over 43,914 organizations, including companies, governments, and universities, since 2003.

Prices

Yearly plan

Pros

• impressive amount of inquiries
• open mail addresses (unless the user has specifically hidden)
• the requests cover a large range of technological topics

Cons

• outdated design
• the services published on the site are somehow related to laboratories (as the name implies), which limits the range of services

This is a new platform that is also a bulletin board. You can work on it for free, only services for the security and improvement of the quality of the result are paid. In addition to selling and buying services, sciamp provides the opportunity for barter collaborations. An interesting service of the platform is to check the quality of the performer work results according to the well-known principle of peer review. This gives access to interdisciplinary expertise.

Prices

From 3.25 of closed deals

Pros

• allows you to work in all areas of knowledge (if you are from engineering, then you are here!)
• for all stages of R&D with different project types
• postings of your services are not hidden from indexing on the Internet, and they can also be viewed by third-party site visitors (if you have not configured privacy settings), which allows you to cover a wide audience for free
• if your requests contain sensitive information, then you can use the service of confidential performer search (with data security), or simply set privacy settings
• free publication of your blog articles to promote your services

Cons

• not many performers so far
• you can get confused when setting conditions while posting your request or offer (you need to take into account that you can cooperate on barter, so there can be more than just money as compensation)

Example of Successful Work With an Outsourcing Company

One of the best ways to learn about R&D outsourcing is by looking at examples of successful projects. In the pharmaceutical industry, one of the most successful outsourcing projects was the development of the erectile dysfunction drug Viagra, which was outsourced to Pfizer. In the technology industry, one of the most successful outsourcing projects was the development of the Apple iPhone, which was outsourced to Foxconn. In the research industry, one of the most successful outsourcing projects was the development of the Human Genome Project, which was outsourced to a consortium of universities.

Conclusion

In conclusion, R&D outsourcing can be a great way to reduce costs, increase efficiency, and free up resources to focus on core activities. There are a number of marketplaces available to help organizations outsource their projects, such as SciampScience Exchange, Scientist, Contract Laboratory. Each marketplace has its own unique benefits and challenges, so it is important to do research and make an informed decision.