Biotech CEOs: Is It Time to Rethink How You’re Resourcing Corporate Communications?

After three days at Fierce Pharma Engage and dozens of candid conversations with top in-house talent, one message was crystal clear: It’s a brutal time to be a corporate communicator at a pre-commercial biotech company.

Exhausted. Under-resourced. Expected to do it all—with shrinking budgets and limited strategic influence. Most are an N of 1 covering IR, employee comms, media, medical messaging, advocacy, and more.

The familiar refrain we heard:

• “My leaders don’t get it.”
• “They think AI can do my job.”
• “They cut my headcount.”
• “They eliminated my agency support.”
• “I’m burned out.”

Here’s the hard truth:

If your comms approach is reactive, fragmented, or underfunded, you’re putting your company’s reputation and its future—at risk. It’s time to do more than rethink the corporate communications model. It’s time to recognize the value of strategic communications from day one—and resource it accordingly.

Communicators are your front line, connecting the dots of opportunity with every audience that matters:

• Investors
• Patients
• Media
• Employees
• Advocates
• Physicians
• Regulators

The best ones:

• Translate market signals into strategy
• Connect scientific milestones to compelling narratives
• Elevate disclosure to an art form
• Confidently represent the company while navigating headwinds
• Build relationships through consistent, strategic engagement

They don’t just push messages—they drive business goals. And when they’re under-resourced or un-empowered to put their expertise to work, they leave. Along with them goes your narrative, visibility, and reputational momentum.

See it. Fund it. Value it. Because corporate communicators drive competitive advantage, paying dividends over time.

Whether you’re a CEO looking to maximize ROI from communications, or a biotech communicator looking for thought partnership, I’m happy to chat. Email me at kkraemer@waterhousebrands.com.