Leading Through the Storm. How Biotech CEOs Can Stay Resilient in Turbulent Times
The biotech sector is built on hope, innovation and possibility, but right now it is navigating some of the most complex headwinds in memory. For any CEO of a biotech company today, the challenge is two-fold: you must not only advance the science and commercial vision, you must steer through turbulence without losing momentum or morale. Based on current data and my time working with biotech leaders, here is a framework for how to understand the challenges, and how to stay resilient as a CEO during this phase. 1. The Current Landscape: What’s Really Pressuring Biotech It’s worth beginning with a clear-eyed view of the major stress-points in the industry, so you and your leadership team can align on reality (rather than hope it will go away). Some of the key issues: Capital and funding constraints The industry entered a funding correction after the COVID-era boom. In 2021, biotech startups raised huge sums; by the later 2022–2023 period, investment dropped by 35–40% compared to the highs...