The biotech industry faces growing challenges from R&D productivity and greater scrutiny on drug safety to mounting price pressures and a daunting economic climate. As investors seek near-term gains in this increasingly complex environment, they are financing more product-focused companies and fewer technology platform companies, more companies whose strategy is an M&A exit and fewer being built for the long term.
The result is a relative dearth of new technologies and platforms. This void is being filled by universities, many of which have turned to drug discovery and translational medicine as a funding source. The structure of the entire biomedical R&D effort is being redefined. Each of the segments of the enterprise is seeking new ways to work with the others. Understanding how to operate in the changing industry structure will be critical to the success of any company, large or small.
This plenary session provides a unique perspective and will engage the audience in a thoughtful discussion. Looking ahead, how will business models adapt? What role will medical research foundations, academic institutions, investors, patient advocacy groups and government play in the evolution of the global biotech industry? And what will it mean for how different segments of the industry of work together?
Keynote:
George Scangos
Chief Executive Officer, Biogen Idec
