Project/Portfolio review - Venture Capital Company X engaged Harte Discovery Services(HDS) in diligence review of Start up company Y. Y had a compelling preclinical asset; however it was attempting to enter a very crowded field with many companies all ready in clinical trials. HDS suggested how Y could modify its preclinical focus (and investor presentation) and distinguish itself from the competition, thus allowing X and Y to attract other investors for a successful initial round of finance. Additionally, Y had a technology platform that it needed to financially leverage through either strategic partnership or consortium. Potential partner companies had difficulty justifying the expenditure because the deliverables from the venture were too distant. HDS was able to show company Y how to make mid term deliverables that were very attractive to potential clients without any additional effort to Y.

Value creation for academic technology transfer - A researcher at University X had discovered a previously unknown (and unpatented) use for an existing FDA approved drug in treating a grievous orphan disease. Harte Discovery Services was engaged to advise on securing the broadest and strongest intellectual property and suggest preclinical IND enabling studies. In addition to these tasks, HDS suggested studies that enabled discovery of a preclinical pharmacodynamic marker that correlated with efficacy. This biomarker was incorporated in the Phase I clinical design and enabled the University to secure a much larger deal with its eventual partner.

Virtual Chief Scientific Officer for foundations - A blindness foundation had supported academic groups in identifying a potential target and in vivo model for an orphan disease. Harte Discovery Services aided in obtaining contracts and supervising screening operations, medicinal chemistry optimization, and pharmacokinetic experiments.