“Keep it under 20”
Managing Partner
“Keep it under 20”:
Staffing a drug company efficiently, with Travis Wilson
By RApport
Photo by Marvin Meyer on Unsplash
December 6, 2024
On RA Capital’s Gateway, Peter Kolchinsky, Managing Partner at RA Capital Management, and Travis Wilson, Partner at Gurnet Point Capital, delve into how biotech companies can achieve more with lean, strategically staffed teams. Small, agile teams of versatile professionals who leverage external expertise when needed lets companies maintain operational efficiency and financial discipline.
For example, Wilson says, preclinical companies often need only one or two finance professionals supplemented by an outsourced CFO. Clinical teams, even during peak development phases with multiple programs, can remain effective with fewer than ten members, he says. In manufacturing, a single experienced CMC (Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls) expert, supported by consultants, can handle complex projects efficiently. The key is hiring versatile individuals who can multitask and manage external networks.
Wilson recounts success stories like CoLucid Pharmaceuticals, which succeeded with a team of fewer than ten people. Their lean structure enabled agility and focused resource allocation.
To explore these insights further, watch the full discussion on RA Capital’s Gateway.