The Synectix - Agenda 1 relationship was established for one simple reason: synergy.

Synectix Pharmaceuticals Ltd. was formed to exploit its exclusive access to a core of different drug formulation and analytical technologies. One of their key challenges was determining the size and scope of the laboratory facilities required to support their technologies. It was immediately clear that they risked investing significant amounts of time, cash and energy into establishing high quality analytical laboratories, in the process being diverted from their core area of expertise. However, the perceived easy option of subcontracting analytical work had the potential to lead to both high costs and considerable effort in managing each piece of subcontracted work.

Agenda1 began life as the analytical / microbiological laboratories established to support product development activities at Nektar Therapeutics UK Ltd. A change of business strategy at Nektar UK's parent company in the US, Nektar Therapeutics Inc., saw the company move away from novel drug development technologies to focus on their core business, and Agenda1 was allowed to "float free".

So, when Synectix' Mark Saunders identified that a faster, lower cost route to establishing laboratory facilities would be to form a strategic relationship with a high quality analytical company who would deliver virtually all the needs of Synectix, Agenda1 was a perfect fit. Following a number of meetings to establish cultural fit, and a rigorous quality audit of Agenda1 by Synectix' QP Ken Caldicott, a partnership was established.

Agenda1 provides "Lab Timeshare" facilities, delivering equipment, people and expertise to the Synectix team, to an agreed service quality and meeting key performance level guarantees, and supporting all of Synectix' laboratory needs. In addition, Agenda1 will be able to draw on the knowledge of Synectix' scientific advisory board to add value to their own client investigations.

Ian Siragher, Agenda1's Commercial Director, believes that the collaboration expands the capacity of both companies to deliver to clients, while allowing both to focus on their individual areas of expertise. Simon Bristow, Operations Director at Agenda1, is particularly excited by the opportunity to be working at the interface between R&D and commercial scale up. His appreciation of the need for stage-appropriate development of analytical methods - ensuring that the method in use is accurate, specific and suitably validated / qualified for the phase of development of the molecule - was gained from many years of product development experience at Nektar UK.

Synectix and Agenda1 believe that their relationship has the potential to bring major benefits to both their clients and themselves - shared expertise, shared facilities, shared vision.