INTRODUCTION
To call 2020 an unprecedented year would not only be an understatement but would also play into the general overuse of the word ‘unprecedented.’ Coronavirus has disrupted pretty much every element of our lives, from our social habits, to the way we operate workwise. Industries suffered, offices and facilities closed, and–if they haven’t already–will reopen their doors with a wide range of new regulations and working practices to ensure safety and compliance.
But what of the life sciences space? While sectors beg for bailouts, biopharma has remained, on the whole, buoyant and even resilient in the face of COVID-19. Maybe this is unsurprising as our industry is being looked on as critical in developing cures and prophylactics against the virus. But crucially our industry is broad, working to feed the demand for solutions for all elements of human healthcare during and beyond this pandemic. Populations are still suffering from cancer, children are still being born with debilitating diseases, and so the biotech and biopharma workhorses continue to discover and develop their life-changing drugs.
And the fuel making the pharma engine turn? Innovation. The meandering of science and technology continues to fuse, leading to the exciting and rapid progression of drugs, diagnostic tests, and healthcare tools unknown even a decade ago. And as the investment and regulatory environments drive further innovation, the industry is poised to solve the next generation of healthcare problems.
Xconomy and EBD Group have devotedly supported the life sciences innovation space, through pertinent and in-depth reporting on the latest tech and R&D disrupting the sector, and through the embracing and facilitating of partnering programs and events. Thus, harnessing some of the most enthralling presentations from the BIO-Europe Spring event, we bring together exciting innovations hoping to change the healthcare world with this special edition e-book.
Stay safe during these unprecedented times but stay innovative.
Dan Stanton –Managing Editor of Xconomy