Does the life sciences industry have the right talent to drive innovation?

Pharma, biotech, and medical device companies are still struggling to find the right mix of people and skills to drive innovation, according to a survey by specialist life sciences recruitment company, Real Life Sciences

For those European organisations where innovation was absent, 57% of the pharmaceutical and medical device professionals surveyed said it was due to a lack in skill sets and not having the right people on board to drive greater innovation.  

Commenting on the results of the survey Real Life Sciences’ Head of Service and Client Development, Gareth Rose said, it’s really interesting to hear people from inside the pharma, biotech and medical devices sectors recognising the need for new people and skills to drive innovation.  

“Traditionally, innovation has been part of the R&D department with little cross-functional support – but with more companies realising they need to change the way they’ve done things in the past they need to ensure they have the right people and skills in the right departments, across the business - all driven from an innovation strategy,” he said.  

“As the regulatory and business landscape changes companies should look at alternate solutions for talent acquisition including hiring from outside the sector, perhaps looking at other sectors with heavy regulation like finance and looking towards technology start-ups who have exploited new opportunities in emerging markets to innovate,” he concluded.  

To download the full Innovation report click here.