Big pharma has faced many evolutions to the pharma playbook of old. New technologies such as wearables introduce behavioral change to patients, while e-commerce giants such as Amazon seek a piece of the Rx action. The health care industry has done a reasonable job of weathering the storm inflicted on its core business model over the years, but it has yet to be a true disruptor. As the world marches on is pharma’s choice to disrupt, or inevitably be disrupted for good?

Spearheading discussions with NICE, bluebird bio’s UK general manager Nicola Redfern has been central to efforts to introduce fresh reimbursement models within the health technology assessment process and commercial framework. Success could change the way cell and gene therapies are assessed and affect the outlook for many patients living with rare diseases.

The passing of a decade always brings with it an inevitable glance in the rear-view mirror to see how far we have come. The pharma industry is no different and it would be remiss to ignore the failings of the industry’s collective R&D engine while also celebrating its successes.

The contract drug delivery industry is facing disruptive influences from an evolving client base, the increase in biologics manufacturing and specialty pharma needs. In Vivo speaks to Catalent’s vice president of strategy, Cornell Stamoran, about the evolution of the industry and the continuous search for efficiency.

With Priority Review given to Roche’s novel flu antiviral baloxavir marboxil for potential approval in the US, and Shionogi’s launch of the product under the brand name Xofluza, it looks set to lead the market for single-dose antivirals.

Kala Pharmaceuticals is hoping to shake up the dry eye market with a NDA filing this year for its steroid eye drop KPI-121 0.25%.