Course syllabus for Business Development

Specific entry requirements

At least the grade Pass on the courses in Theory in bioentrepreneurship, Industrial Management, Communication in bioentrepreneurship 1, Market analysis, Communication in bioentrepreneurship 2 and Practical Placement 1 within the Master's programme in bioentrepreneurship.

Outcomes

The course aims to give an understanding of the basics of business development in the life science industry, that is pharmaceuticals, medical technology and biotechnology.

Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• Explain the basics of business development and based on relevant models identify situations where an organisation may need to initiate business development initiatives.
• Describe the essential elements for successful alliances between companies and external organisations active in the life science industry.
• Identify factors that affect the conditions for a sustainable business.
• Apply basic methods of due diligence, valuing, business intelligence and competitor analysis.
• Identify and analyse the processes that can lead to a deal.
• Critically assess and evaluate the ethical dimensions in business development.

Content

The course deals with the following themes:

• Why business development as a concept emerged
• Methods for business intelligence and competitor analysis
• Due diligence of projects and companies
• Valuation of projects and companies
• Negotiation, decision-making and contract design
• Sources of funding for business development
• Different partnerships pros and cons and the factors influencing the outcome of partnerships

Teaching methods

The teaching consists of lectures, seminars, case studies and group as well as individual assignments.

The course is at the master's level, where the students are assumed to be familiar with the most common study methods in higher education. The fundamental pedagogical view is based on entrepreneurial learning and requires active student participation.

Examination

The examination consists of

• a team assignment (Fail/Pass)
• an individual assignment (Fail/Pass)
• an individual written exam (Fail/Pass/Pass with Distinction)

In order to get the grade "pass" on the whole course, the student must get the grade "Pass" on all examinations. To get the grade "Pass with distinction" on the whole course, the student must get the grade "Pass" on the team assignment and the individual assignment as well as the grade "Pass with distinction" on the written exam.

Compulsory participation
Participation in seminars, workshops and presentations is compulsory. The examiner assesses if and, in that case, how absence from compulsory components can be compensated. The student must participate in all compulsory parts or compensate for absence in accordance with the examiner's instructions, in order to pass the course. Absence from a compulsory activity may result in the student not being able to compensate the absence until the next time the course is given.

Limited number of examinations
Students who have not passed the regular examination are entitled to participate in five more examinations. If the student has not passed the exam after four participations, he/she is encouraged to visit the study advisor. If the student has failed six examinations/tests, no additional examination or new admission is provided.
Physically attending or otherwise commencing an examination is regarded as an examination session. An examination, for which the student registered but did not participate, is not counted as an examination session.

Adaptation of examination
In the event of special circumstances, or if a student with a disability is in need of certain adjustments, the examiner may decide to depart from the syllabus' regulations on examination form, number of examination opportunities, possibility of completion or exemption from compulsory educational elements, etc. Content and intended learning outcomes as well as the level of expected skills, knowledge and abilities must not be altered, removed or lowered.

Transitional provisions

Examination will be provided during a time of two years after a possible cancellation of the course. Examination can take place according to an earlier literature list during a time of one year after the date when a major renewal of the literature list has been made.

Other directives

The course language is English.

Course evaluation will be conducted according to guidelines decided by The Committee for Higher Education.

Literature and other teaching aids

Mandatory literature

The course always uses the latest edition of the literature.

• Austin, Martin, Business development for the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry, Farnham, Surrey : Gower, 2016 - 1 online resource ISBN: 9781317170587, LIBRIS-ID: 7lz2rcps5zwc9s8z

The course leader will assign further mandatory literature in the form of articles, reports, cases and lecture material.