Melan provides research program management and science program management that monitors partnerships after launch — tracking progress, catching drift early, and identifying when collaborations should expand or adapt.
Partnerships need research operations oversight to deliver results. We provide research administration and research coordination that facilitates communication, resolves friction, and keeps both sides accountable while preserving the flexibility research requires.
How It Works
We establish reporting cadence, milestone benchmarks, and communication protocols at partnership launch. Our scientific administration team monitors progress, flags risks, and facilitates resolution when issues arise. Regular briefings keep both sides aligned through systematic research coordination.
Program management typically follows partnership strategy and IP strategy work, and feeds insights into portfolio intelligence for organizations with multiple active partnerships. For engagements involving external funding, we also provide grants management and grant administration services to ensure compliance and reporting requirements are met.
What We Cover
- Milestone tracking: Measure progress against agreed research objectives
- Drift detection: Catch misalignment before it becomes a problem
- Expansion identification: Recognize when a partnership is ready to scale or extend
- Stakeholder updates: Transparent, regular communication for both sides
Related Case Studies
Novartis-MIT Center for Continuous Manufacturing (CCM)
Novartis and MIT ran a 10-year, $65M joint research center with flat annual funding, a joint steering committee governing research direction, and staged milestone progression from simple small-molecule drugs to complex biologics — milestone tracking across decade-long timelines, drift detection through annual governance reviews, and expansion identification when the technology earned first-ever FDA approval for continuous manufacturing. Our analysis shows how program management at the right tempo kept a long-horizon partnership aligned without stifling academic research freedom.
AtkinsRéalis and Oxford Robotics Institute (ORI) Partnership
AtkinsRéalis and ORI structured a co-development partnership with embedded researchers, a joint technical steering committee, and a tiered deployment pipeline connecting ORI research facilities to UK nuclear site field testing to international rollout across 40+ countries — milestone tracking across three deployment stages, drift detection through embedded researcher feedback loops, and expansion identification as proven UK deployments scaled globally. Our analysis demonstrates how program management frameworks ensure research transitions from lab to field to commercial operation without losing velocity.
Explore Our Other Capabilities
- Competitive Landscape Analysis
- Partnership Strategy
- IP Strategy and Licensing Support
- Technology Scouting
- Portfolio Intelligence
Frequently Asked Questions
When does program management start?
Ideally at partnership launch. We set up research project management tracking, communication protocols, and milestone benchmarks from day one. We can also step into existing partnerships that need research operations structure.
Do you replace our internal team?
No. We work alongside your team as an external partner, providing research administration and scientific coordination that complements your internal capabilities.
What if a partnership is failing?
We identify the issue early through drift detection. When a partnership needs restructuring, we facilitate the conversation and help both sides realign or exit constructively.
