Back in 2000, newly merged GlaxoSmithKline PLC began to reorganize its R&D to boost productivity. Over the following decade and a half, the big pharma experimented with variously sized discovery units, oversight structures and incentive systems designed to create biotech-like innovation within its walls. (See Exhibit 1.)
It was a ripe time to try. Scientific discovery has flourished since the turn of the century. Genomics and gene-editing...