Being responsible for a new product launch in biotech is arguably one of the hardest tasks, with most of the focus directed towards the Go-To-Market aspects of testing the market, messaging and gaining early adopters. Often overlooked (until it is too late) by the development team is the transition from prototyping at the bench to manufacturing.
What can a product launch in biotech learn from the Unicorn Frappuccino?
Consider the (somewhat amusing) anecdote in operations when Starbucks launched the Unicorn Frappuccino. It was wildly popular with customers (after all, who can resist drinking blended unicorns), but soon had Starbuck barista’s pleading on social media for customers not to order it. “”I have never made so many Frappuccinos in my entire life,” barista Braden Burson stated. “My hands are completely sticky. I have unicorn crap all in my hair, on my nose. I have never been so stressed out in my entire life.” Or consider the plight from barista Tina Lee, “As a barista, just know that every time you ask me to make this, a part of me dies #unicornfrappuccino.”
How bad was it? The baristas were thankful when they quickly ran out of ingredients. Just think about that- the employees engaged in the NPI were happy when they ran out of product to sell.
The marketing was spot on, but as Inc.explained in covering the episode: “It’s instructive, though, that when you launch something that you think will be new and exciting, it’s worth making sure that your employees are ready to execute.”
For a new product launch in biotech manufacturing, we have seen similar challenges across a number of launches. The three most common launch problems are:
- Reproducibility between batches/runs
- Scale-up (in the Unicorn launch, one unlucky barista had to make 56 Unicorn Frappuccino’s in a single order)
- Training
Keys to avoiding a failed new product launch in biotech manufacturing are having robust protocol designs, solid BOM construction and sourcing, and the ability to scale-up. We find the two most impactful variables are 1) communication between research, QC/QA and operations and 2) the experience of the transition team.
At Argonaut, we can help you with a successful new product launch by supporting your manufacturing and operations team. Contact us and let’s get your product launched!
