Scrip Asks

More than 100 biopharma executives and experts told Scrip their predictions for therapeutic area advances in the coming year. The recent commercial success of GLP-1s in diabetes and obesity and their potential in further disease areas fuelled excitement around the metabolic space. Expectations were also positive in neurology following the launch of Leqembi for Alzheimer’s disease in 2023, while the multiple opportunities to improve cancer treatment kept oncology top of the pile overall.

Some 50 experts and executives in the biopharma sector shared their views on the major trends they expect to see driving change in the clinical trials arena in 2024. Artificial intelligence applied to clinical development, greater use of remote monitoring and increased patient diversity in trials were key themes.

More than 75 industry executives and experts gazed into the crystal ball and shared with Scrip their predictions around transformative technologies. Perhaps unsurprisingly, AI was the dominant theme – but gene editing, cell therapies and new targeting modalities were also among the highlights.

Looking ahead on manufacturing and supply-related issues in 2024, respondents told Scrip to expect companies to bring their supply chains closer to home, improvements for delivery of cell and gene therapies, a focus by contract manufacturers and developers on sustainability and continued emphasis on access to critical drugs.

Biotech entrepreneurs tend to be an optimistic group, and there were many pockets of hope for 2024. However, the consensus remains that depressed valuations and paucity of fresh funds will continue to pose a challenge for the sector, and companies will need to prioritize carefully and work even harder to demonstrate and create value.

Global crises and a tough funding environment mean biopharma leadership teams need to work hard to survive, let alone thrive. Industry executives shared their predictions and advice on strategy for 2024.

The acceleration of efforts to increase diversity among clinical trial subjects is expected to continue in 2023. Furthermore, many executives hope for greater inclusivity within companies, from new recruits to leadership.

Improving human health is the raison d’etre of the biopharma sector. But what can the industry do to safeguard and improve the health of Planet Earth? Executives shared their thoughts with Scrip.

Neuroscience and oncology fuel high hopes for therapeutic R&D progress among 90-plus surveyed biopharma industry leaders.

From synthetic data to real-world data, from patient engagement to patient stratification, from combination trials to master protocols and from fully decentralized through hybrid to onsite trials, the world of clinical development is undergoing major changes. Fifty executives share their predictions around clinical trial trends for the year ahead.