58TWENTYFOURSEVENBIOPHARMA Issue 3 / October 2025 SYNGENE In the past, translational science was often viewed as a bridge, a handoff point where preclinical data was translated into a clinical hypothesis. Today, that metaphor is no longer sufficient. Translational research is no longer a bridge between discovery and clinical teams. Increasingly, it is becoming the foundation for how drug development is planned, resourced and executed from the earliest stages. Across the biopharma industry, the traditional silos between discovery, translational science, and clinical research are giving way to more integrated models. This shift is being driven by three forces: the increasing complexity of therapeutic modalities, the emergence of predictive tools like computational biology and multi-omics, and the rising costs associated with late-stage failures. Rather than operating as parallel functions, these domains are being pulled into more unified frameworks where decisions are made collaboratively, not sequentially. This is not a cosmetic rebranding of the pipeline. It’s a structural shift. Organizations are rethinking how early-stage data, including in vitro modelling, DMPK insights and pharmacokinetic modelling, feed directly into dose selection, study design and even regulatory strategy. What emerges is not just a faster route to clinic, but one that’s more data-literate and less prone to surprises. The “bench to bedside” model, long discussed as an aspiration, is now being formalized by contract research organisations and pharma partners alike. A growing number of CROs are consolidating discovery and clinical capabilities under single translational units. , The goal is to reduce the risk inherent in handovers, improve continuity, and ensure that early insights are not lost in the transition to the clinic. One area where this is particularly visible is in early-phase trials. Sponsors are increasingly seeking partners who can not only execute first-in-human (FIH) studies but also help determine whether a compound is ready for that step in the first place. This requires upstream capabilities such as in vitro absorption modelling, bioavailability prediction, and computational toxicology — all integrated with regulatory and clinical trial design functions. These capabilities are being developed in-house at some organizations, and increasingly through CRO partnerships. For companies based in India or with operations in South and East Asia, this convergence is also being
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjY2OTA4MA==