Abstract
This study objectively and quantitatively determines a perception gap in terms of alliance between venture companies and pharmaceutical companies to fill the gap for the purpose of achieving practical use of innovative pharmaceuticals originated from Japan. Questionnaire and hearing surveys of venture companies and pharmaceutical companies were conducted. Results of the surveys revealed there is a perception gap between both sides regarding the reason of non-formation of alliance, the period that allows pharmaceutical companies to investigate licensing, and so forth. Also, there are problems associated with the gap. By investigating the causes of the gap, we examined a bottleneck inhibiting smooth alliance between both sides. Venture companies had an insufficient awareness or understanding of methods for evaluation performed by pharmaceutical companies and appropriate methods for selecting partners to offer an alliance proposal. Meanwhile, pharmaceutical companies provided insufficient explanation of the reason for declining an alliance proposal and insufficient information on the will to form an alliance and the contents of fields, technology, etc. of interest. These were considered to form a bottleneck. In particular, the fact is that pharmaceutical companies only state “it is premature to discuss at an early development stage” regarding an alliance proposal, which causes venture companies to inadequately understand the real intention of the reason for declination. This promotes misunderstanding of venture companies in that they may simply advance development without the improvement from the viewpoints of pharmaceutical companies, which could be a negative factor for alliance between both sides.
