BioSpace reported on Apr. 2 that several biopharma executives discussed the major challenges facing drug discovery, including industry uncertainty, funding difficulties, and issues within the innovation process.
The long timeline for bringing a drug to market—often between 10 to 15 years—means professionals face many obstacles along the way. These include rapid changes in regulatory environments, shifting funding priorities, and hurdles associated with pioneering new scientific approaches.
Brian Culley, CEO of Lineage Cell Therapeutics, said that uncertainty makes planning difficult for companies. "So, how as a company can you sit here and think about the next three, five, eight years on a program when three, five, eight days later, the geopolitical environment could be totally different...the person who’s in charge of your program at the regulator could be totally different?" he said. Culley added that focusing on improving human health helps him stay grounded despite external volatility: "No matter what’s going on out there in the world, the work that we are doing is grounded in improving the human condition...making new medicine." He advised leaders to remain aware of broader industry trends rather than simply focusing internally: "You’ve got to be seeing what’s going on...whether it’s going to affect your timelines that you’re going to communicate or you’re going to budget for."
Martin Brenner of iBio highlighted funding scarcity as another major issue. He said academic research generates crucial targets for drug development but depends heavily on stable funding: "Basically, if funding for academia goes down, we will not be able to have these targets coming at the rate we saw them before." Brenner also noted a trend toward herd behavior among investors favoring certain areas like AI tools or obesity treatments over diversification: "If some funds go in one area, everybody runs to this area...do you really want to invest in the 103rd GLP-1...?" He emphasized maintaining cash efficiency and nimbleness despite large fundraising rounds.
Dan Tardiff from CAMP4 Therapeutics described how breaking new ground means there is often no clear blueprint: "There’s not an exact blueprint that you’re following based on what someone else has done." He recommended building broad networks with academics and other stakeholders because basic research remains essential.
Vic Clavelli of Oxia Therapeutics pointed out structural silos within biotech pipelines limit progress toward restoring patient function rather than just managing symptoms. However, he expressed optimism after recent meetings with international peers: "The biotech opportunity is to weave together the capital, scientific and commercial resources of East and West...The visionaries and leaders who do this are poised to surpass gains delivered by the 20th century."
Industry observers note these ongoing challenges highlight both persistent barriers as well as emerging opportunities for collaboration across regions.
