Emerging Biotech/Biopharma Trends to Watch for in 2022

1. Increasing focus on rare diseases and oncology

Oncology and rare diseases, two therapeutic areas with large unmet needs will continue to gain more attention, with companies creating accelerated and creative pathways in the research and development (R&D) space.

2. Partnerships with academia for asset selection and early clinical development

Acceleration in the number of academic and industry sponsored partnerships for asset selection and early clinical development are expected, especially in the field of cell and gene therapy (CAGT), will lead to more collaborative partnerships and innovative multi-stakeholder models of engagement.

3. Machine learning to identify potential drug candidates

Escalation in advanced predictive analytics such as artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) is expected to drive better clinical research, real-world evidence outcomes, and identify high potential drug candidates. Companies can make more informed decisions and better focus their R&D investments.

4. Emergence of molecule to market

An increasing number of emerging biopharma companies are shifting to a fully integrated biotech model, focusing on commercializing their assets. These biotechs are hence incorporating data generation and access considerations in parallel to clinical development.

5. Advancement of tech-enabled clinical trials

Decentralized Clinical Trials (DCTs), remote monitoring, and remote Source Data Verification (SDV) are increasingly becoming the norm in clinical trial development. Sponsors now have the insights to build them into future protocols to create efficiencies to reduce patient burden and improve retention.

6. Insourcing of technologies

A small number of biotech companies build their own clinical operation and data management teams and insource resources through an FSP model. Sponsors are turning to SaaS-based clinical technology providers for better clinical development lifecycle – study planning, site engagement, remote patient services, and remote study monitoring.

They are now driven by a well-orchestrated clinical technology ecosystem that generates highly interoperable solutions to improve clinical operational efficiencies.