Why is Biotech Hiding? We Aren’t Doing Ourselves Any Favors

Meredith Kiernan

Mar 31, 2025

I’ve spent considerable time this year immersing myself in the state of the biotech industry and the dynamics affecting our clients. From a prolonged market downturn to zombie biotechs, to geopolitical pressures and shifting policy landscapes in Washington, the picture isn’t pretty.

That’s why last week’s MassBio State of Possible conference felt like a breath of fresh air. For the first time in what seems like forever, impact and belief took center stage.

Throughout the day, industry leaders, patients, caregivers, and advocates highlighted biotech’s profound contributions to patient care and better health outcomes. The industry continues to push through any number of challenges to make incremental and transformative progress for patients every day.

Biotech’s Visibility Problem

Yet, our biotech’s good work is going largely unseen. According to Gallup’s 2024 Industry Reputation poll, 79% of Americans hold neutral to negative views of the pharmaceutical industry. How can we change this narrative?

During the “Rising Stars of Biotech: Shaping the Future of Medicine” panel, Nello Mainolfi of Kymera Therapeutics analyzed this perception gap:

We are the only industry changing people’s lives for the better. No other industry can say that. Yet biotech is worth a fraction of tech. That is not okay. And we only have ourselves to blame. We are always apologizing for what we do. There are too many layers between the innovators and the patient. 99% of people in this industry work here because of the impact. Yet we struggle to fund our companies. There is a misconception about what we do and how we do it.

Nello Mainolfi

Founder, President and CEO, Kymera Therapeutics

This hits home. I’ve had numerous conversations with C-suite teams this year who feel it’s best to stay quiet until they have more to say. I get it—this is a business full of inherent risk. But what do we lose when we opt out of the conversation?

It’s not just about visibility—it’s about trust. Only by engaging consistently do we build credibility with stakeholders.

Be the change

So, what’s the solution? From my point-of-view, there are four ways biotech leaders can help shift biotech’s reputation today:

1. Lead with Your Why: Clearly articulate your company’s broader purpose and vision, emphasizing the bigger-picture impact on patients, healthcare providers, and society.

2. Make Science Relatable: Biotech often operates in its own echo chamber. Simplify complex science to foster understanding beyond the healthcare bubble. Test it at your next family gathering—if they get it, you’re on the right track.

3. Don’t Hide—Evangelize: Get your story out there and engage with the public. Too early to reveal a whole lot? Build your personal thought leadership platform to emphasize your work’s purpose.

4. Invest in the Next Generation: I worry these current market dynamics will deter future biotech leaders. Double down on mentorship, internship programs, and STEM education to keep our talent pipeline strong.

I left the State of Possible conference reinvigorated by the purpose of our work and grateful for this community and how it continues to push boundaries. But let’s not hide. Biotech is changing lives, and the world deserves to see it.

An extraordinary journey leads to extraordinary brands.