INSIGHTS

What does it take to build a consulting partnership that truly adapts to the realities of life sciences? In this episode of The Consulting Pulse, Spinnaker co-founder Dane Callow discusses how founder-led consulting, deep domain expertise, and senior-level engagement differentiate Spinnaker in a crowded market—helping life sciences companies navigate evolving operations, finance, and growth challenges.

Amid rapid scientific progress, familiar targets continue to capture momentum while promising alternatives struggle for visibility. A quiet cognitive bias shapes how opportunities are assessed and prioritized. For companies developing novel science, recognizing this pattern—and designing strategies that anticipate and counter it—will be essential to advancing differentiated programs in a landscape defined by precedent.

As 2025 ends, biopharma dealmaking is rebounding on new terms. Q3 saw $30.8 billion in transactions led by Merck and Genmab, signaling renewed confidence amid tighter capital and faster diligence cycles. Today, commercial clarity drives valuation as much as science. At Spinnaker, we help leadership teams translate innovation into market strategy, quantify value, and compete effectively in a shifting deal landscape.

Merck’s subcutaneous (SC) Keytruda, FDA-approved on Sept 19, 2025, transforms cancer care delivery by replacing 30-minute infusions with 1–2 minute injections. This shift frees oncology clinic capacity, enhances patient access, and redefines value creation in immuno-oncology. By integrating delivery efficiency into strategy, Merck positions Keytruda’s SC formulation as a competitive and operational milestone in oncology’s evolving landscape.

s Q4 begins, biopharma strategic planning takes center stage. What was once a quarter for cleanup is now a critical reset period for 2026. Investor pressure, pricing reform, transparency mandates, and tariff risks are reshaping commercial priorities. For leadership teams, the challenge is clear: recalibrate forecasts, refine launch plans, and align strategy to today’s realities before competitors pull ahead.

Patient journey mapping has transformed how life sciences companies understand and serve patients—but most maps miss a crucial voice: the caregiver. By expanding mapping to capture real-time, diverse patient experiences and integrating caregiver perspectives, companies can design more relevant trials, value-based products, and compelling launch narratives. Including those who guide patients through care not only humanizes development but drives adherence, satisfaction, and co