Life Sciences in 2008: Where Exactly Are We? Where Are We Going?

MidwestBusiness.com
12/29/2008

CHICAGO – Is the biotech industry facing a nuclear winter (as some have forecasted)? Will many of the smaller companies disappear due to a lack of financing monies?

While tough times surely lie ahead, this is a resilient industry. There are still many diseases needing more effective medicines, a rapidly aging population requiring increased health care and persistent entrepreneurs to bring these to the forefront.

What are some of the top trends that have taken place in 2008 that we may see carried through to 2009? This is my take on the top six at the advent of a new presidency:
-Health care reform in the U.S.
-Growth of stem cell research
-Big Pharma rushing to transform itself into biotech
-Japanese and Indian Big Pharma globalization
-Biofuels on a backburner, but an increased need for alternative renewable fuels
-Biotech consolidation

Let’s take a look at each of these.

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