Scrip Outlook for 2010

As 2009 drew to a close, what were the panellists' expectations for the year ahead?

For the biotech industry, encouraging signals were coming from the US, the setting for a healthy number of secondary offerings. Yet the picture was bleaker in Europe where the funding gap persists. Many UK and European biotech firms were thought to be downsizing their activities in anticipation of the markets' recovery.

The VC panellist identified two reasons for hope: capital markets becoming "more permissive" and signs that the innovative capacity of biotech firms, the industry's "drug hunters", is as strong as ever. His firm is focusing on modes of action that have been validated. For this reason, he expects to concentrate on doing deals with single-molecule companies at the preclinical stage, although he hopes to participate in a smaller number of disruptive-technology financings over the next few years.

Healthcare reform
After President Barack Obama's inauguration this year, healthcare reform became the big talking point in US politics. The Round Table dissects the various pros and cons.

Personalised medicine
The Round Table explores the likelihood of Big Pharma diversifying into personalised medicines.

Scrip Outlook for 2010
The Round Table concludes with a look at what 2010 holds in store for the pharmaceutical and biotech industries.

China
China, like the US, has also been concentrating on healthcare reform this year. The Round Table discusses what effect this new fertile market will have on the industry.

The Round Table
The Round Table dissects this year's many alliances and partnerships and the effects on the various companies undertaking them.