Finding the Covid-19 silver lining

Covid-19 has been devastating on multiple levels — but there may be an upside for the broader biomedical community, according to Anne White, president of Lilly Oncology. Researchers are learning from the hyper-speed research and development that’s taken place this year, and White thinks the lessons will impact the industry’s direction long after the pandemic has been quelled.

Scientists are collaborating on an unprecedented level. Although competition and intellectual property will remain mainstays of the industry, she opines, more conversations are happening on how to expand R&D partnerships. She also points out that the time’s ripe, and the science is there, to rejigger clinical trial design — and better integrate digital technologies.