Covid-19 boosted the life sciences as an industry in ways we couldn’t have foreseen before the pandemic. Professionals in the space had to quickly adapt to working remotely and scale at a pace that was, until recently, unprecedented. Innovation in health and life sciences was booming.
The pandemic saw investors flocking to the UK life sciences sector and funding increased to record highs. The money was coming in and the industry was thriving, despite the challenges of decentralised practices and working remotely.
Innovative Life Sciences
Decentralised clinical trials became a reality during the pandemic and people were able to contribute to medical trials without having to be at a specific facility. Novel technologies and life science software development allowed for studies to take place in different locations, creating better access to medical trials.
The industry became more reliant on smart devices and the Internet of Things (IoT) to conduct standard practices during a time where social distancing and self-isolation were required. Life sciences technology companies used this time to innovate and create devices to change the way the industry operates.
Personalised medicines were also introduced. This is a medical model where individuals or groups of people received tailored treatment based on their predicted response or risk of disease. Treatments included gene therapy; one particular method of treatment, CRISPR Cas9, has seen great developments in recent months.
The Industry as a Whole had to Adapt
The industry had to adapt to a completely new model during this time. Relationships had to change, workflow solutions had to be implemented, and new innovation roadmaps had to be introduced.
Sales professionals in the life sciences sector had to completely alter their way of working to suit the new normal. They faced a number of challenges, including no more in-person industry events, a lack of face-to-face interactions, and having to find a new way to generate leads.
Business development professionals in life sciences technology companies and product sales had to learn how to adapt to the times and find new business without conferences and live events. It was a time of many challenges, but also great innovation.
Opportunities for New Business
Despite all the issues facing BD professionals in the industry, there were many opportunities for new business. Salespeople needed to figure out how to operate in a completely new environment, which led to creative thinking and new ways to make sales.
Creative ways of doing business presented themselves – organising online events to generate leads, using LinkedIn to its full potential, and more. Workflow apps, such as Trello and Clickup, helped BD professionals keep track of clients. Sales professionals also had more time thanks to a massive reduction in commuting. Wellbeing regimes were implemented to ensure that BD professionals were at their best at all times.
Partner with Focus On LifeScience
As the pandemic winds down and we see a return to regular life, choose a recruitment partner that knows the industry and can identify new business opportunities for you. We can help you build your sales team and help you keep up with sales and technology trends in life sciences.
