Digital must become a core capability for pharma if it is to remain competitive. New technologies bring faster innovation cycles, but demand new kinds of expertise and partnerships that threaten traditional hierarchies and mindsets. The rewards, for pharma, are most likely to come from improved efficiency and stronger relationships with stakeholders, rather than from digital end-products.

Following the acquisition of cell therapy assets from Sanofi, which Sanofi had secured in its purchase of Genzyme, Aastrom Biosciences changed its name to Vericel, doubled down in cell therapy and relocated to Massachusetts. Since then it has seen its revenues grow 12% per year from just under $43 million in 2013 to just under $64 million in 2017. The target for 2020: drive revenues north of $100 million.

The first half of 2018 appeared promising for the European biopharma sector, with multiple large investment funds promising cash to young, innovative companies in the region – a turnaround after years of life science firms suffering from a funding drought across Europe.

Industry and academic representatives shared viewpoints at Biotech Week Boston in September 2018, including what is unique about deal-making in the cell and gene field.

Exploring route of administration, mode of action, clinical trial, and therapy area trends across the biopharma pipeline.

LivaNova is counting on CMS paying more than lip service to the value-based agenda as it assesses coverage decisions for Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) for the treatment of resistant depression over the coming months. In many ways it is a test for both parties.

Boston Scientific Corp. has been back on the M&A trail in a big way in 2018, with a succession of strategic additions of various sizes that all have potential patient and shareholder impact across – and beyond – its established divisions. Chief medical officer of 18 months Ian Meredith explains the thought processes driving this policy, and the added dimension a CMO can bring to the overall question of strategy.

Drug delivery technology specialist Consort Medical has capitalized on device respiratory expertise for 50 years, but a renewed focus on strategic expansion has seen it make an IP play, move into the pharma side and target other delivery formats for global pharma industry customers. Its enhanced capabilities will keep rivals on their toes.

Straddling the R&D and commercial sides of a typical pharma organization means medical affairs is naturally positioned to play an expanded role along the full pharma value chain. The combination of exploding data from internal and external sources, and a stronger focus on value and outcomes, has reshaped the requirements and expectations for drug development and commercialization businesses.

Investment in digital health is at an all-time high having reached $1.6 billion in the first quarter of 2018, representing a total of 77 digital health deals and growing 44% over the first quarter of 2017. But what can the medtech market learn from early successes in other industries to seize its opportunity in digital health?

Potentially curative regenerative medicine therapies are no longer theoretical, but instead have become reality. As more and more gene, cell and tissue-based therapies reach the market, the need for payment solutions is becoming more pressing. The Alliance for Regenerative Medicine has consulted with payers and other stakeholders to consider the barriers to alternative payment models and look at possible solutions.

Derived from Strategic Transactions, Informa’s premium source for tracking life sciences deal activity, the Deal-Making column is a survey of recent health care transactions listed by relevant industry segment – In Vitro Diagnostics, Medical Devices, and Pharmaceuticals – and then categorized by type – Acquisition, Alliance, or Financing. This month’s column covers deals announced in August 2018.

Biopharma financing for the second quarter totaled $12.4 billion, a 25% decrease from Q1 2018. Meanwhile Q2 merger and acquisition deal value reached $101 billion, three-quarters of which came from Takeda's $79 billion takeover of major European player Shire. Alliances – totaling $13.8 billion (a significant decline from the previous quarter's $30.7 billion) – featured large partnerships in the antibody space, the biotechnology industry sector with the highest dollar volume.

What are the top 10 most common drug forecasting errors, and how can these be avoided? Life sciences consulting firm, Trinity Partners, explores the ins and outs of forecasting.