1. In Vivo
  2. >>Business Strategy

Big Pharma's Response to R&D Woes: More Early-Stage Compound Deals

The earnest tone of the discussions at this year's Pharmaceutical Strategic Alliances Conference reflected an increasingly common assumption among industry executives and insiders: the drug industry's growth problem isn't a merely cyclical issue. Declining productivity, a problem evident in biotech companies as well as Big Pharma, is to blame. Industry executives provided mixed opinions on how to best tackle this challenge, but both Pfizer and Bristol-Myers Squibb suggested a trend towards early-stage compound licensing.

The earnest tone of the discussions at this year's Pharmaceutical Strategic Alliances (PSA) Conference held in New York City reflected an increasingly common assumption among industry executives and insiders: the drug industry's growth problem isn't a merely cyclical issue. Forecasts for flat or single-digit earnings growth are widely accepted. Worse, confidence in the industry's projections – once one of the sector's greatest investment assets – has disappeared. "The whole aura of predictability has melted away for Big Pharma," remarked Arnie Snider, General Partner, Deerfield Management. "It will take a while to get this back."

The fundamental cause, noted speaker after speaker, is declining R&D productivity.

Read the full article – start your free trial today!

Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on In Vivo for daily insights

  • Start your 7-day free trial
  • Explore trusted news, analysis, and insights
  • Access comprehensive global coverage
  • Enjoy instant access – no credit card required
Start Free Trial

Already a subscriber?

More from Business Strategy

Late-Stage GLP-1 Drug Trials Outside The Cardiometabolic Space

 
• By David Wild

A look at Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly and other companies' late-stage clinical studies of GLP-1 drugs in indications ranging from neurodegeneration to oncology, and alcoholic liver disease to autoimmune conditions.

Rising Leaders 2025: Metsera’s Whit Bernard’s Musical Path To Biotech Leadership

 
• By David Wild

Metsera CEO Whit Bernard applies an unconventional leadership philosophy to develop next-generation obesity therapeutics, including monthly GLP-1 injections and oral peptides.

AI In Drug Discovery: The Patent Implications

 
• By David Wild

A Q&A with DeAnn Smith, partner and co-chair of the Patent Trial and Appeal Board Proceedings Practice Group at law firm Foley Hoag.

Is Advanced AI Revolutionizing Sales Enablement In Pharma?

 
• By Marina Hickson

Advanced AI is revolutionizing sales enablement by addressing training gaps and performance challenges. Used correctly, it can help to bridge the sales-marketing divide, accelerate ramp-up times and provide managers with data-driven insights.

More from In Vivo

Rising Leaders 2025: Doxie Jordan, From UNC Graduate To Global Market Strategist

 
• By Jo Shorthouse

Bristol Myers Squibb executive Doxie Jordan discusses his path to global commercial leadership and the principles guiding pharmaceutical market strategy

Podcast: Brain+ CEO Discusses “Groundbreaking” Potential Of CST Assistant For Dementia Patients

 
• By Anabel Costa-Ferreira

Devika Wood, CEO of Brain+, explains the importance of developing health tech solutions for dementia and the growing need to both raise awareness and improve overall access to nondrug interventions like CST.

Behind The Buyout: Dispatches From The Dealmaking Table

 
• By Jo Shorthouse

In a challenging funding environment for biopharma, strategic dealmaking has become a critical growth engine. In Vivo explores what it truly takes to navigate high-stakes acquisitions and partnerships, drawing on insights from seasoned industry leaders.