Instructor’s Manual
ANSWERS TO OPENING CASE DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What were the pros and cons of Sangamo pursuing its gene editing programs alone
versus working with a partner?
Sangamo was clearly very reliant on funds from partners to pursue its research programs. Large
partners were also much more likely to have clinical testing capabilities, manufacturing
2. Does the HIV program offer any special opportunities or challenges?
HIV offered both exceptional opportunities and challenges. On the one hand, HIV was a very
large market, and also a highly politicized and visible disease. Finding a way to cure HIV would
be a victory of heroic proportions, which would likely dramatically increase Sangamo’s access to
3. What do you think Sangamo should do regarding the HIV program? Should it license
the technology to a large pharmaceutical? Should it form a joint venture with another
biotech or pharma company? If so, who?
Student opinions will vary on this significantly, and people often come up with very insightful
arguments and creative ideas. If time permits, the instructor is encouraged to split the class up
ANSWERS TO DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of collaborating on a development
project?
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Instructor’s Manual
Advantages of collaboration are the opportunity to share the costs and risks of development, to
access and possibly develop skills and resources not available in house, increased flexibility
2. How does the mode of collaborating (e.g., strategic alliance, joint venture, licensing,
outsourcing, collective research organization) influence the success of a collaboration?
Each mode of collaboration carries its own set of tradeoffs in terms of speed, cost, control,
potential for leveraging existing competencies, developing new competencies, or accessing
another firm’s competencies. If success of the project requires being a first or early mover, then
3. Identify an example of collaboration between two or more organizations. What were the
advantages and disadvantages of collaboration versus solo development? What
collaboration mode did the partners choose? What were the advantages and disadvantages
of the collaboration mode?
Students will identify a wide variety of collaborations. What you will be looking for in their
answers is whether they considered the various tradeoffs inherent in the different forms of
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Education
Instructor’s Manual
4. If a firm decides it is in its best interest to collaborate on a development project, how
would you recommend the firm go about choosing a partner, a collaboration mode, and
governance structure for the relationship?
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Education