In the race to bring new products to market, modern laboratories face a paradox: the demand for innovation is higher than ever, but internal resources are often stretched to their breaking point.

How do you develop a product requiring specialized testing or niche expertise that your current team doesn't possess? Do you spend six months hiring and training new staff, or is there a faster lane?

In the webinar "Leveraging CRO Relationships to Accelerate New Product Development," industry expert Scott Hanton (General Manager, Intertek Allentown) argues that the answer lies in shifting your view of Contract Research Organizations (CROs). They shouldn't just be viewed as safety valves for overflow work; they should be strategic partners for acceleration.

Here is a breakdown of the core strategies Hanton shares for turning outsourcing into a competitive advantage.

1. The "Rent vs. Own" Model of Expertise

The most compelling argument for using a CRO is the ability to access "non-core" skills without the long-term overhead.

• The Challenge: Your new product might require a specific analytical technique that you will only need for this one project. Buying the equipment and training a scientist is a poor return on investment.
• The Solution: Hanton advocates for a "rental" mindset. By leveraging a CRO, you gain instant access to world-class equipment and experts for exactly as long as you need them—and not a minute longer.

2. Speed Through Flexibility

Internal R&D is often slowed by bureaucracy, hiring freezes, or competing internal priorities.

• The Accelerator: A CRO’s business model is built entirely on speed and deliverables. They can often start a project weeks (or months) faster than an internal team could get approval to buy a new instrument.
• The Strategy: Use CROs to bypass internal bottlenecks. While your team focuses on the proprietary "secret sauce" of the product, the CRO handles the routine or specialized validation steps that would otherwise clog your pipeline.

3. Cooperative Learning & Collaboration

A common mistake is treating a CRO like a vending machine: insert money, get data.

• The Shift: Hanton suggests that the best value comes from collaborative partnerships. When you treat the CRO scientists as an extension of your team, you gain fresh perspectives. These external experts have often seen similar problems across different industries and can offer solutions your internal team might never consider.

4. Active Project Management

Outsourcing is not "set it and forget it."

• The Requirement: To get the speed benefits, you must invest time in managing the relationship. Clear communication of timelines, expectations, and IP (Intellectual Property) boundaries is critical. Hanton outlines frameworks for ensuring that the external workflow integrates seamlessly with your internal milestones.

Watch the Full Roadmap to Partnership

Knowing why to hire a CRO is easy; knowing how to manage one effectively is where many labs fail. In the full presentation, Scott Hanton dives into the practical details of selection, IP protection, and relationship management.

Watch the full webinar below to start accelerating your product pipeline:

Key Takeaway

As you watch, pay attention to the section on "Project Management." The difference between a failed outsourcing attempt and a successful one usually comes down to how clearly the "Statement of Work" was defined at the very beginning.