The pharmaceutical industry thrives on innovative products and clinically differentiated medicines that can create real value. Innovation has the greatest impact on a pharmaceutical company’s long-term success, yet pressure to reduce drug prices from both government and consumers may force drug companies to seek alternative revenue streams. The pharmaceutical industry is in a constant state of flux, and it has never been more important for industry insiders to identify trends and anticipate outcomes.

The obstacles to success in the industry over the next ten years are numerous and complicated. 2015: Strategic Considerations for the U.S. Pharmaceutical Industry maps out the competitive, scientific, and regulatory hurdles ahead, and offers insightful and creative business strategies to navigate through the challenges, capitalize on the opportunities, and adapt to change.This report offers a thorough analysis of current trends and issues that are challenging high-level decision making, including the following:

• The main issues that companies face as a result of globalization.
• The need to align products and markets, and differentiate products.
• Key issues in forming development partnerships.
• Convergence strategies—finding new combinations of formerly distinct market segments for a company’s pharmaceuticals, therapeutic devices, and diagnostic processes or equipment.
• Outstanding needs in new product development & commercialization.
• Managing the regulatory environment and drug approval process.

2015: Strategic Considerations for the US Pharmaceutical Industry builds on this analysis by constructing 4 bold scenarios based on the interaction between the fundamental drivers of change —customized therapeutics versus blockbuster drugs, and free market versus price control. Using these two drivers and their variables, the report details developments in the following four areas:

• Socio-economic
• Technology
• Market and regulatory
• Distribution

The scenarios are based on direct input from industry insiders through in-depth interviews as well as extensive secondary research of the US market. This analysis provides insight into the issues that will shape the industry and prompts managers to begin preparing for long-term changes.

About the Author

Dr. DiFelice received BS and MS degrees in chemistry from the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and earned Ph.D. in chemistry with honors from Virginia Tech. He was a Post-Doctoral Fellow at RIT and earned his MBA with honors from Kenan-Flagler Business School (UNC-Chapel Hill). He is the Founder and President of Alpha V, Inc., a company that is commercializing a long-lasting micro-battery (potentially 100 year lifetime) to power implantable devices and wireless sensors. Dr. DiFelice also consults within the venture capital industry on emerging biotechnology companies, and advises both large and small companies on corporate strategy issues in both the pharmaceutical and energy sectors.