Why the Future of Biopharma Belongs to Agile Innovators, not Industry Giants

Christelle Huguet, Executive Vice President, Head of R&D at Ipsen, challenges the outdated belief that bigger means better in biopharma, arguing that agility – not size – drives breakthrough innovation. With precision, swift decision-making, and an unwavering focus on patient needs, agile innovators like Ipsen are poised to deliver real-world impact.

The future of biopharma will be shaped not by the biggest players, but by the most agile ones. That is why I believe our operating model at Ipsen gives us a real advantage in today’s fast-moving landscape.

We’re a global biopharmaceutical company with the mindset of a biotech. This unique position allows us to combine the scale and reach of a large organization with the focus and flexibility of a biotech. That means faster decisions, specialist expertise across the pathway, and the agility to adapt as new data and insights emerge – all helping us move promising medicines through development at speed.

At the heart of our approach is a science-driven R&D model, focused on what matters most: patients. We follow a clear strategy to build a pipeline where options are limited and patient needs are high. These are the avenues that remain elusive or where few others tread, but where we are taking compelling science to address barriers to new treatments and in new disease areas. What remains key to this approach is flexibility; coming together as a team and pivoting when the data tells us to. While we start with a clear roadmap, as new evidence emerges, particularly in early research, it can reveal greater possibilities for patients. It’s a clear example of what it means to follow the science in practice, and how that approach helps us unlock the full potential of our medicines for patients.

Being cross-functional in our approach also results in swifter decision-making. This means involving our medical and regulatory teams from the very beginning of development. By doing so, we enhance efficiencies, leverage end-to-end expertise, and ensure we make the right calls.

Above all, it shows that being agile is essential – to follow the science, make meaningful decisions, and ultimately meet patient needs.