Life Sciences Consultancy

Turn commercial uncertainty into a clear growth plan

Commercial Clarity For Life Science Companies Under Pressure 

When Growth Needs Clear Direction

Many of the businesses we support are successful companies that know they can achieve more. They have built strong foundations, but contact us when they need experienced external input to move to the next stage and make critical decisions. This may be because growth has slowed, expansion feels complex, internal teams are stretched, or leadership needs an objective commercial perspective.

Most life science consultancies help you do more, but we will help you decide what matters before you do anything.  Some clients need help with one specific challenge. Others engage us as an ongoing strategic partner.

Sian talking to a client about selling their business at pivotal links 2025
life science consultant and ceo Tim giving a talk at pivotal links on industry insights

Strategic Thinking With Practical Delivery

We sit between a typical agency and a traditional consultancy.  That means strategic enough to solve the right problem, but practical enough to help implement the next step.

Our services are delivered by a team with both scientific and commercial knowledge, which allows our team to focus on making critical commercial decisions clear. That typically means:

  1. clarifying what you are really selling and to whom
  2. stress-testing your positioning against real market conditions
  3. prioritising the opportunities that will actually drive growth

The output is not more analysis. It is clarity on what to do next and why.

M&A consultants providing strategy advice at pivotal links 2024

Our Consultancy Focus Areas

We focus on the areas that deliver commercial results by combining strategy and consultancy advice with practical delivery.

Positioning & Commercial Strategy 

We help businesses identify the most effective routes to growth, improve commercial focus, and prioritise the opportunities most likely to deliver returns.

Strategic Planning for Life Science Companies

Clear commercial plans to support growth, partnerships, product launches and international expansion

a diagram showing different elements of a strategic business plan, such as marketing, sales

Consultancy for Biotech and Life Science Start-ups

Practical commercial support for early-stage businesses preparing for investment, first sales or market entry

Achievement 3658092 1920

Distribution Strategy & Partnerships

Supporting companies to strengthen distributor performance and expand into new territories

Partnership & Distribution Introductions

Support with building, improving or restructuring distributor networks and strategic channel partnerships

 

a photo of ronald, tim and the Nodic-MUbio team talking at Pivotal Links 2019

Distributor Strategy and Training

Helping distributors better understand, position and sell your products in international territories

Screen shot of a teams call of attendees at distributor training course

Entering the Chinese Life Science Market

Strategic support for businesses evaluating opportunities, routes to market and distribution partnerships in China

Chinese Keyboard

Platforms & Networks

We also operate platforms that support commercial outcomes

Pivotal Links Industry Networking Event

Our networking event connecting IVD, RUO and life science founders, investors and commercial leaders

Marketing Consultants Large

BioDirect Life Science Consultant Network

A specialist directory helping companies connect with experienced life science consultants and service providers

Our Life Science Consultancy Team

Our consultancy services are delivered by experienced life science operators with backgrounds in biotech, diagnostics, distribution and international commercialisation.

  • Stevan Hoyle

    M&A Strategy

    Stevan Hoyle
  • Gabrielle Foster

    Business Analyst

    Gabrielle Foster
  • Sian Bolitho

    Chief Scientific Officer

    Sian Bolitho
  • Jenny Gillard

    Chief Commercial Officer

    Jenny Gillard
  • Tim Bernard

    Chief Executive Officer

    Tim Bernard

Life Science Commercial Strategy Insights

 Commercial strategy in life sciences requires navigating complex markets, regulatory environments and partnership ecosystems. Our articles explore practical challenges faced by biotech, diagnostics and life science companies when developing go-to-market strategies, building distributor networks and expanding into international markets.
  • Commercial Strategy

    How Reagent Licensing Works in Life Sciences (RUO vs IVD):

    Learn how reagent licensing works in life sciences, including RUO vs IVD models

    Sian Bolitho
    Sian Bolitho
    min read
    How Reagent Licensing Works in Life Sciences (RUO vs IVD): Structures, Fees and Deal Terms
  • Commercial Strategy

    A Guide to Life Science Product Portfolio Strategy

    Introduction: when strong science is not enough Biotech companies rarely design their life science product…

    Sian Bolitho
    Sian Bolitho
    min read
    A Guide to Life Science Product Portfolio Strategy
  • Commercial Strategy

    What a Strong Go-to-Market Strategy Really Looks Like in Life

    Introduction When working with life science companies, we often find that they have great technology…

    Sian Bolitho
    Sian Bolitho
    min read
    What a Strong Go-to-Market Strategy Really Looks Like in Life Sciences
  • Commercial Strategy

    How to Scale a Life Science Company in Emerging Markets

    How a Life Science Company Can Leverage Growing Economies Emerging markets represent a significant growth…

    Jake Bernard
    Jake Bernard
    min read
    How to Scale a Life Science Company in Emerging Markets
  • Life Science Consultancy FAQs

    Life science companies often have practical questions about commercial strategy, market entry and international expansion. The following FAQs address common topics searched by our clients looking for guidance on biotech consulting, distributor strategy and partnership development in global life science markets. Still unsure, click the contact us button

    Contact us
    • What if we already have a Business Development Manager in-house?

      Response

      That’s often the case, and our service is designed to complement your existing team, not replace it.

      Your Business Development Manager understands your products, customers and commercial priorities. Our role is to help them spend more time developing opportunities and less time researching and qualifying potential partners.

      We do this by identifying suitable distributors, OEM partners, licensing opportunities and other strategic relationships, then making targeted introductions through our established network. Once a positive opportunity has been identified, your internal team can take the relationship forward.

      If you would like additional support, we’re equally happy to assist with onboarding, introductions and the early stages of relationship development. Our involvement is entirely flexible and tailored to your needs.

    • What are the options?

      Response

      Depending on your requirements, we can offer the following service options:

      • One distributor in one territory (one-off project)
      • Several distributors in several territories (one-off project)
      • OEM partners (to OEM-in your products) – (over 12 months)
      • Sales Channel review and outreach – (over 12 months)
      • Whole Sales Channel creation via outreach and continual review – (over 12 months)

      …do you have something else in mind? Let us know.

    • How does the Partnership Development service work?

      Response

      As with every person, each company is different and the approach is unique. We do not simply apply the same B2B No two life science companies are the same, so neither are our projects.

      Rather than applying a standard process, we take the time to understand your products, commercial objectives, target markets and existing sales channels before recommending the most appropriate approach.

      For example, you might:

      • Need to find a distributor in a specific territory.
      • Be building your first international sales channel and require introductions to distributors or OEM partners.
      • Have an established network but want an independent review to identify opportunities for growth or stronger commercial partnerships.

      Where appropriate, we can also review your existing distributor and OEM relationships to identify gaps in market coverage, underperforming partnerships, or new opportunities within our global network.

      By combining industry knowledge with long-established relationships across the life science sector, we help connect you with organisations that best support your commercial strategy—not simply expand your contact list.

    • When should a biotech company hire a commercial strategy consultant?

      Response

      Biotech companies typically engage a commercial strategy consultant when:

      • Preparing for fundraising or investor conversations
      • Entering new markets or launching new products
      • Experiencing stalled growth despite strong science
      • Considering acquisition, partnership or exit
      • Facing internal disagreement on strategic direction

      The earlier strategic clarity is established, the less capital is misallocated.

    • What does a life science consultancy actually do?

      Response

      A life science consultancy helps scientific and biotech companies develop commercially viable growth strategies. This includes clarifying market positioning, designing go-to-market plans, prioritising target segments, refining revenue models, and preparing for investment or exit events.

      Unlike general strategy firms, a specialist consultancy understands regulatory complexity, scientific credibility requirements and transaction dynamics specific to biotech and healthcare markets.

    • How Do You Support Biotech Start-ups?

      Response

      We understand that biotech start-ups have unique challenges and opportunities. Several of our board members have worked for, or are currently on the board of many start-up companies. That’s why we’ve developed bespoke pricing specifically tailored to the needs of early-stage biotechnology companies. With over 15 years of experience guiding startups from concept to commercialisation, our expert team is here to help you unlock your full potential.

    Supporting life science companies through commercial scale-up