A Leading CRO, the Illinois-based company, CMIC, Inc. Provides the Cutting-Edge Capabilities and Sophisticated Expertise in Bioanalytical

Established in 2008, CMIC, Inc. a global Contract Research Organization (CRO) and a provider specialized in bioanalytical services in support of TK/PK/PD biomarker studies for pre-clinical and clinical developments. The company originated from the first and leading bioanalytical lab in Japan, the second biggest pharmaceutical market, and is positioned as strategic cornerstone investment in the U.S., the biggest market in the world, under CMIC Group. And through the years, the company has gradually accumulated track records with small to mid-size U.S. biotech companies by leveraging Japan-high quality and quick turnaround/flexibility.

With over 30 years of experience in bioanalytical small molecule analysis and a reputation for excellence and a strong commitment to helping improve lives around the world, CMIC has marked its worth in the industry. It continues to grow and expand its facility and capabilities to meet the needs of its clients and the changing drug development environment.

In-Conversation with the CEO of CMIC, Inc., Mr. Mike Suga

Q. How successful was your first project roll on? Share the experience.

One of our earliest clients at CMIC asked for a rescue project which our competitors were not able to perform. That client visited us on some Thursday and returned onFriday and over the weekend we successfully performed the job and by Monday morning we delivered the data to the client. It was really a great experience as it was one of our most successful projects.

Q. What challenges did you face in your initial years? What can your peers learn from it?

Talking about challenges, the former JCL Bioassay and now-CMIC shareholders and senior management needed to be very patient by trusting out future potential. And expectation management with internal stakeholders is equally important as external client relationships. I believe that was a challenge for us in the initial days.

Q. What kind of mixed responses have you received from your clients over the years? How have they motivated you to shape your offerings/grow the company?

While more than 95% of our clients are repeaters, some prospective clients are cautious to work with us due to lack of prior experience with us and our mid-size capacity. At CMIC, we try to offer a relatively small lower risk feasibility project to “show and tell” our high quality and quick turnaround/flexibility.

Q. Fostering a culture of feedback is crucial to the success of every organization. How is this true with your company?

In addition to the collection of the voice of customers, we at CMIC have an “open door” policy. Every employee of the firm can approach me (President & CEO), Jenny (COO) and other senior management with questions and comments about company strategy, compliance concern, and so forth. And this culture at the workplace gives employees the feeling of working with family.

Q. As a question of adaptability, how do you stay relevant to the customer interests and needs in this highly volatile market?

The customer is always at the heart of CMIC and we always work day in and out to keep customers happy. By leveraging CMIC’s CREED (Wellbeing, Challenge, Change, and Communication; in short, “W & 3C”), we keep re-defining ourselves as a solution provider.

Our current business model is “Pharmaceutical Value Creator”, but we are further expanding our business domain into “Personal Healthcare Value Creator”. For example, at CMIC, Inc., we are driving biomarker work, which should enable each patient to benefit from personalized medicine.

Q. Customer service varies, but companies can still be successful. How do you maintain your customers’ trust and loyalty?

This goes back to the five assets that I have mentioned in the previous answer. We should be on top of Wellbeing, we should keep challenging, changing and communicating, along with high quality and ethical standard.

Q. What factors make your company ‘Lead’ the current market?

You can’t be best for everything. You have to focus on one thing and master it. And at CMIC we do that. One example for CMIC, Inc. is Oligonucleotides (in short “Oligo”). Oligo is a specific pharmaceutical area, and we have been accumulating cutting-edge track-records. And I believe if that doesn’t make us a leader in the market then what does?

The Future Path

Looking into the future, CMIC believes that Biomarker will be a critical element in a mid-term, not only because it’s a generally growing area, but also it’s a key for CMIC to be “Personal Healthcare Value Creator” under its newly expanding business model. And based upon the company’s track-record in Oligo, CMIC believes it can also make a difference for large molecule and biomarker area significantly. So, the company is planning to work on a large molecule and biomarker.

Meet the CEO:

Mr. Mike Suga is the current CEO of CMIC, Inc. He was the first person appointed by entire CMIC Group which acquired now called CMIC, Inc. in 2015.

“Being the most respected and trusted bioanalytical laboratories in the world, our mission is to contribute to high quality, efficient drug development, and conduct science that contributes to the public welfare.”