Scrip Asks

The confluence of data science and molecular biology fuels expectations among biopharma industry leaders for another year of breakthrough innovation in human therapeutics. More than 70 executives and experts reveal what they are most excited about on the technology front.

Biopharma executives see value-based pricing as an increasingly important topic for the sector in 2023, while the US Inflation Reduction Act will have a major impact on portfolio strategies.

Headwinds of political instability, violent conflict, inflation and recession accompany us into 2023. Scrip surveyed industry leaders on the impacts for biopharma.

Deal-making between big pharma and biotech looks set to rise with a looming patent cliff increasing the need for the former to replenish its pipelines. Meanwhile, biotechs need partners to help them advance amid the ongoing big freeze on raising cash on public markets.

With valuations down and borrowing costs up, many industry insiders are expecting Darwinian scenes in biotech this year. Survival of the fittest is the order of the day: companies with riskier, less commercially defined propositions will struggle, while platform companies with multiple shots on strong goals will increasingly find favor in a more risk-averse environment.

Addressing health care inequities, providing a nurturing environment for employees and learning from the pandemic were among the aims expressed by executives surveyed by Scrip.

Digital and telehealth solutions took off during COVID-19 and industry observers expect them to advance still further in the coming year. Coupling enhanced patient experience with rich opportunities to use associated data to enhance product development and health care practice, benefits should accrue to industry, health care practitioners, health systems and patients alike.

The COVID-19 pandemic drove huge shifts in clinical trial practice and the transformation is expected to continue even after the global health emergency abates. Industry leaders sharing their predictions around clinical development homed in on decentralized trials, digitization and data tools as key topics for 2022.

Evolving challenges will keep the COVID-19 pipeline active, while oncology, immunology and CNS are areas also expected to see much progress in 2022. Industry executives look forward to the year in therapeutic R&D.

Many industry leaders expect broad progress in the field of RNA technologies following the rapid and successful roll-out of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 last year. Genetic medicines of various types, emerging platforms for tackling previously “undruggable” targets and the microbiome were among other areas singled out as areas to watch in 2022.

Following two record-breaking years for biotech fundraising, stock valuations are heading downwards. Biopharma executives and industry experts surveyed by Scrip anticipate big pharma executing more deals and acquisitions in 2022.

Biopharma industry leaders highlight key concerns and opportunities across production, supply chain and commercial operations. Business transformation is top of mind for many, perhaps unsurprisingly following two years of rapid and mostly successful adaptation to the strictures of the COVID-19 pandemic.