More than 100 biopharma executives and experts told Scrip their predictions for therapeutic area advances in the coming year. The recent commercial success of GLP-1s in diabetes and obesity and their potential in further disease areas fuelled excitement around the metabolic space. Expectations were also positive in neurology following the launch of Leqembi for Alzheimer’s disease in 2023, while the multiple opportunities to improve cancer treatment kept oncology top of the pile overall.

Biotech entrepreneurs tend to be an optimistic group, and there were many pockets of hope for 2024. However, the consensus remains that depressed valuations and paucity of fresh funds will continue to pose a challenge for the sector, and companies will need to prioritize carefully and work even harder to demonstrate and create value.

Global crises and a tough funding environment mean biopharma leadership teams need to work hard to survive, let alone thrive. Industry executives shared their predictions and advice on strategy for 2024.

Private Company Edition: Lilly will open a third accelerator, this time in San Diego, and Fosun partnered with Treehill to help later-stage firms get over the finish line. Also, Flagship – after recent UK investments – signals its next fund will total $3bn. ArrivoBio and Alto Neuroscience raised $45m each.