Your Guide To Minimizing Scope Creep For Pharma Projects

Effective partnerships between biotechnology companies and Contract Development and Manufacturing Organizations (CDMOs) are fundamental to the success of modern drug development. The path from an innovative therapeutic concept to a market-ready product is intricate and demanding — marked by scientific, regulatory, and operational challenges that can easily disrupt timelines and budgets. Among the most common and costly obstacles is scope creep: the gradual expansion of a project’s objectives beyond the originally agreed-upon parameters, often without proper oversight or documentation. Left unchecked, scope creep can erode trust, inflate costs, and delay critical milestones.

While it may seem like an unavoidable part of complex development programs, scope creep can be effectively managed—and even prevented — with the right strategic foundation. The first line of defense begins with a crucial document: the Request for Proposal (RFP). More than a procedural requirement, a well-constructed RFP serves as a strategic framework that defines project expectations, delineates responsibilities, and establishes mutual understanding from the outset.

The following article and checklist will walk you through the essential elements of a comprehensive RFP and outline proactive measures to minimize scope creep. By adopting these best practices, biotech sponsors can foster more transparent, efficient, and productive collaborations with their CDMO partners — ultimately accelerating development timelines and improving the likelihood of commercial success.