"It's amazing with this consumer empowerment how fast that market is growing," biopharma industry veteran Fred Hassan remarks. "Coming up with good products, scientifically validated, supported by doctors and approaching consumers with proper claims, it's a huge opportunity."

"It's amazing with this consumer empowerment how fast that market is growing," biopharma industry veteran Fred Hassan remarks. "Coming up with good products, scientifically validated, supported by doctors and approaching consumers with proper claims, it's a huge opportunity."

Biopharma companies closed out 2016 with $9.6 billion in financing, the strongest quarter of the year. M&A deals reached $12.2 billion in value, led by Lonza's takeover of Capsugel; most of the fourth quarter's largest partnerships were built around innovative platforms in antibodies, peptides and gene therapy.