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.

The US Nasdaq exchange has become the only option for ambitious UK and European biotechs.

Drug pricing and access issues expose the pharmaceutical sector especially acutely to calls for companies to meet ethical and social goals, alongside commercial ones. Digital is up-ending pharma’s processes, its workplaces and its consumers. R&D productivity is spluttering. Amid this turmoil, CEOs highlight company culture – the way an organization behaves – as a crucial ingredient for success. But what is a “right” culture? Organizational culture is neither static nor singular. It is continuously influenced by acquisitions, markets, new technologies and new generations. And pharma’s history suggests that culture change cannot happen without sufficient people change.

ICER’s influence on drug pricing, and policy, is growing. Spotlighting the worst drug price rises is one recent example.