NovaQuest: Principles and Strategies

In this exclusive interview, Fintan Walton talks to Ben Cons, Vice President of NovaQuest, about NovaQuest’s functions and operations, and how these differ from those of its parent company, Quintiles Transnational. Ben talks about the financial commitment NovaQuest has made to its partnerships and how this is split between its biotech and large pharma clients. He outlines the two principle ways in which NovaQuest operates with companies, and how it shares some of the risks and returns. Ben discusses the current changes in the industry, the drivers for these changes, and how they affect NovaQuest’s business. He highlights some examples of partnerships that show how the company is adapting to these changes – in particular he discusses its alliances with Eli Lilly and Solvay Pharmaceuticals. Ben talks about how NovaQuest manages the risk within its alliance portfolio and the company’s approach to its equity contributions in life sciences companies. Finally, he gives his opinion on the progress of the industry from NovaQuest’s viewpoint, and discusses how the company will grow in relation to Quintiles.

About Ben Cons

Ben Cons, PhD, Vice President of NovaQuest, structures and delivers managed partnerships with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies in Europe and the US. He has participated in tailored financial solutions worth over US$1 B by leveraging the intellectual capital, management and financial resources of NovaQuest and Quintiles. In addition to his role as deal architect, Dr Cons is responsible for delivering the strategic plan for NovaQuest, including relationships with venture capital groups, private equity groups and investment banks. An an innovative team leader, he is adept in developing partnership solutions between companies that realise value for all parties.

Dr Cons joined Quintiles in 1996, bringing his expertise in pharmaceutical drug development and commercialisation to drive corporate development goals. He became a part of the PharmaBio Development Group (NovaQuest’s predecessor) in 2003. Early on in his career, Dr Cons expanded his research experience in molecular pharmacology through a position in drug development with Schering AG. Later, at Glaxo Wellcome, he developed expertise in marketing and business development, particularly through a joint venture with Reuters.

Educated in the UK, Dr Cons acquired a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences with honours from Portsmouth Polytechnic, and then continued his studies to earn a doctorate in molecular pharmacology within the physiology and pharmacology department of Southampton.

About NovaQuest

NovaQuest, the strategic partnering group of Quintiles Transnational, is an industry pioneer in offering tailored financial and operational solutions that help pharmaceutical and biotech companies overcome development and commercialisation challenges, including leveraging virtual clinical development models. Its unique managed-partnership approach ensures sponsorship by senior-level executives; access to global development and commercial resources and expertise; and efficient operational delivery of services. Since 2000, NovaQuest partnerships have committed more than US$2 B in capital to pharmaceutical and biotech companies of all sizes.