METiS Therapeutics x Techspert: Delivering Efficiencies In Drug Discovery

Challenges

Identifying Market Opportunities

Pinpointing the most viable therapeutic areas for METiS's lipid nanoparticles is paramount. Traditionally, these nanoparticles target the liver, but with advancements, they can now target organs like the brain, lungs, and muscles.

Identifying the right markets for these innovations requires ongoing access to top-tier Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) and clinicians who can provide cutting-edge insights into the latest research and market needs to pursue only viable offerings and ensure they are correctly positioned in the market. This continuous need for up-to-date information from leading experts posed a significant challenge for METiS, which needed a reliable and efficient way to access these insights.

Strategic Positioning

Ensuring effective positioning in a competitive market demands a detailed understanding of competitors and treatment methods. METiS needed to understand where their innovations could have the most impact while avoiding areas with existing, effective treatments. This required a deep understanding of the market dynamics and the ability to swiftly pivot based on expert advice. Without these insights, METiS risked investing in less promising areas or facing intense competition from established treatments, which could hinder its market entry and growth.

Solution

Unparalleled Expert Access

Techspert connected METiS with high-caliber KOLs and clinicians, providing critical market insights and guidance on product positioning and go-to-market strategies. This access enabled METiS to leverage expert opinions and validate their product fit and go to market strategies efficiently. Kate Rosner, a Business Development and Strategy Manager, emphasized, "Techspert's use of AI allows you to identify those very unique experts.” This capability ensured that METiS could tap into specialized knowledge swiftly to move quickly on market opportunities and validate its approach.

Efficient Resource Utilization

Before partnering with Techspert, METiS spent considerable resources on finding and managing all aspects of expert interactions themselves. This manual process was time-consuming and resource-intensive, detracting from other strategic initiatives. With Techspert's streamlined approach, METiS was able to significantly reduce the time and effort required to identify and engage with the right experts. Kate explained, “Now, Techspert's process saves us considerable time and effort, allowing us to focus on strategic initiatives.”

Techspert's platform automated many of the administrative tasks associated with expert engagement. This included not only the identification of relevant experts but also the management of contracting and billing processes. By handling these aspects, Techspert allowed METiS to avoid the complexities and delays often associated with in-house administrative procedures. Kate highlighted the impact of this efficiency, stating, “Using Techspert has significantly sped up our process by eliminating the need for us to handle our own contracting or billing, and their legal and compliance policies make experts more comfortable working with us.”

The Right Expertise, Every Time

The experts provided by Techspert consistently met METiS's high standards, ensuring confidence in their go-to-market decisions and allowing METiS to move swiftly on projects. "We've set very specific criteria for experts and thought it was an impossible task, but Techspert has always found someone who meets our needs,” noted Kate. This reliability in finding the right expertise was crucial for METiS as they navigated complex therapeutic landscapes and sought to make informed, strategic decisions. Techspert's ability to quickly match METiS with the precise experts needed for each project ensured that METiS could maintain momentum and make progress without unnecessary delays.

Results

Strategic Clarity & Time Savings

Techspert's expert insights helped METiS refine its product development strategies and focus on the most promising therapeutic areas. For instance, when METiS explored targeting the lungs for treatment with nanoparticles, Techspert connected them with world-class pulmonology experts. These connections enabled a clear understanding of the competitive landscape and guided METiS toward choosing the optimal route of administration, potentially saving millions of dollars in drug delivery developments. Outsourcing the identification and management of experts reduced the time investment for every research project from about 10 hours to just 3 hours. “There have been multiple times where we've considered doing our own outreach, but we've realized Techspert will not only find a better expert but also handle the contracting and billing more efficiently,” explained Kate. This efficiency allowed METiS to allocate more time to strategic planning and innovation, enhancing overall productivity.

Market Validation

Techspert's expert community provided crucial validation and positioning support, ensuring METiS made informed decisions. Kate confirmed, "We're not using any other expert networks at the moment because Techspert satisfies all of our needs, unlike previous networks we've worked with.” For example, in a project involving a drug for a rare GI indication, Techspert connected METiS with the top expert in Europe, whose endorsement was pivotal in pursuing a new business opportunity. This validation was critical not only for securing internal buy-in but also for ensuring that METiS's innovations were positioned for success in the market.

Cost Savings

Techspert's network allowed METiS to quickly determine market viability, avoiding significant investments in non-viable projects. For example, within just three calls, METiS decided against pursuing a specific rare disease market, potentially saving millions in development costs. Additionally, by pivoting from an inhalation drug to an IV drug based on expert advice, METiS avoided costly competitive battles and focused on a more viable market segment. These strategic pivots, guided by expert insights, significantly reduced wasted resources and ensured that METiS invested in the most promising opportunities.

Conclusion

Techspert's expert network has been transformational for METiS, enabling them to navigate complex market landscapes and make informed strategic decisions. The partnership showcases the value of leveraging expert networks to drive innovation and business success in the biotech industry.

By providing high-caliber experts, streamlining market research, and delivering actionable insights, Techspert has enabled METiS to advance its mission of developing innovative gene therapies. The efficiency, strategic clarity, and cost savings achieved through this partnership have solidified Techspert as an indispensable partner in METiS's journey toward market leadership and innovation.