The pandemic has brightened pharma’s image, but drug pricing is still high on the political agenda. For US and European politicians, the health crisis has heightened the tension between supporting innovation and controlling rising costs.

The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered extraordinary levels of collaboration. But competition remains, and many newly created coalitions have yet to be stress tested.

COVID-19 has triggered a dramatic shift toward virtual consultations and telemedicine, encouraged by more relaxed regulations and payer support.

As the global shut-down caused by the coronavirus pandemic continues, sponsors are rushing to adapt clinical trials that can move to partial or completely remote monitoring, allowing patients to remain in their homes but continue to participate in studies. And the outbreak may have another silver lining for the biopharma industry, a chance to rebuild its reputation. 

Oncology and rare diseases dominate the industry pipeline, fuelled by science, regulatory tailwinds and high prices. But as the world grapples with coronavirus, and with heart disease still the top killer, can our systems fund treatments for more prevalent conditions?

It has been a bumpy ride for some of the (still modest) number of European biotechs listed on Nasdaq, for various reasons. Yet most expect the direct-to-Nasdaq trend to continue. Europe’s public markets simply cannot compete.