Artificial intelligence (AI) in the pharma value chain, along with delays in generating product revenue due to pricing and reimbursement process, will be among the major focuses and key challenges for the biopharmaceutical industry in 2026, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.
When asked to identify the top industry trend expected to have the greatest impact on the pharmaceutical sector in the next 12 months, pharmaceutical industry professionals in the survey published in GlobalData’s report “The State of the Biopharmaceutical Industry – 2026”, selected AI in the pharma value chain (17%) and delays in generating product revenue due to pricing and reimbursement process (14%) as the top two choices. These trends displaced anti-obesity medications, which were the top trend a year ago.
Urte Jakimaviciute, Senior Director of Market Research and Strategic Intelligence at GlobalData, comments: “AI in the pharma value chain will continue to capture pharmaceutical industry’s radar due to its potential to revolutionize drug discovery, streamline clinical trials, and optimize manufacturing−driving greater efficiency. Meanwhile, addressing delays in generating product revenue caused by complex pricing and reimbursement processes will remain a critical issue, as these delays create substantial financial and strategic pressures for pharmaceutical companies, particularly given their significant investments in R&D. Both will shape the strategic priorities and challenges in 2026.”
While, according to GlobalData, the obesity population in the seven major markets (7MM*) is expected to grow at an annual growth rate (AGR) of 0.7%, reaching over 160.6 million cases by 2031–underscoring this as one of the major drivers for pharma investments in anti-obesity drugs–the new survey data shows that interest in this area has faded over the past year.
Jakimaviciute continues: “Anti-obesity medications are still capturing interest, with drugs such as Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro and Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy expected to be among the top selling drugs by 2026. However, this area has lost some of its prominence due to the factors like market saturation and shifting market priorities.” *7MM- The US, the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Spain and Japan
