The high cost of drug development, the challenge of translational research, and continuing concerns with R&D efficiency has had entrepreneurs, investors, and drugmakers open to experimenting with new models of innovation. COI Pharmaceuticals, born out of a collaboration between the pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline and Avalon Ventures, is one such model that is showing traction. With management expertise, R&D infrastructure, and a collaborative environment, COI is providing promising startups with a way to accelerate their development in a capital efficient way. We spoke to Jay Lichter, president and CEO of COI Pharmaceuticals, about the COI model, the challenges of cost-effective innovation, and what can be learned from COI’s experience.