COVID-19 has disrupted the operational schedules of health care and technology providers alike to unparalleled levels in 2020. But scratch the surface, and outcomes-oriented, value-based health care targets remains a priority – albeit competing a little harder for attention at present.

Several small biotechs are launching new drugs independently in a launch environment that now presents unexpected challenges caused by COVID-19.

Johnson & Johnson is the first big pharmaceutical company to report first quarter financial results, and investors across the industry are interested in hearing how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting the sector's fundamental business dynamics.

If the lengthy litigation history is any guide, Amgen regretted licensing its first product to a big pharma partner, probably because the product was so successful. For most first products, however, a big pharmaceutical collaboration can bring many benefits but the converse – self-commercialization of the first product – has far fewer positive historical connotations.