Skip to main content

Life Sciences

Life sciences companies have the opportunity to truly change the world, but success depends on how well certain emerging and traditional risks are managed. Marsh’s specialists can support your business objectives with risk strategies that promote resilience and competitiveness.

Life sciences companies face specific challenges throughout the discovery, development, and commercialization processes, including exposure to a high degree of risk.

Increasingly stringent global regulations mean compliance must remain at the forefront of daily activities, and the penalty for violations goes beyond finances. Because life sciences companies' work largely involves human beings, trust and reputation management are critical aspects of their risk management plan.

Risk for life sciences companies comes from a number of angles. Whether it’s litigation regarding regulatory actions or intellectual property disputes, product liability claims, cyber theft, or supply chain disruptions, life sciences companies require a strong strategy for minimizing risk as well as a solid plan for addressing situations that might arise.

Marsh’s experienced life sciences risk management team can help develop solutions relevant to your business and to your risks, whether you are in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device and supply, or contract research sector.

The Global Risks Report

The top risks for 2024 and beyond. Data and insights from more than 1,400 global experts and leaders.

Featured insights

Pipette dripping into PCR strip in a laboratory.

Article

22/04/2024

New frontiers in cell and gene therapies: A growing market

A series in collaboration with Kennedys reviewing the current state of the CGT market with an overview of some of the most promising scientific advancements.

Young scientists conducting research investigations in a medical laboratory, a researcher in the foreground is using a microscope

Podcast

07/11/2023

Clinical Trials Podcast Series – Episode 2

The second episode of Marsh’s Clinical Trials Podcast Series discusses decentralised and adaptive trials, the increasing use of technology, and how these impact the risks and insurance.

chemcial symbols on a blue background

Video

04/07/2023

Latest trends and emerging risks in the Chemical Industry

What are the key questions chemical organisations should be asking to safeguard their activities and growth in 2023?

FAQs

Life sciences firms face a great deal of risk exposure. Any time an entity is involved in researching or treating human or animal subjects, especially at critical moments as experienced with COVID-19, its general risk profile increases. In an industry guided by strict regulation, the risk of violations is most certainly at the forefront of company leaders’ minds.

Competition and intellectual property risks are also relevant to the life sciences industry. It's very expensive to research and develop pharmaceuticals and other products, and a leak of critical research or claims of fraud can be devastating to a company. Although intellectual property regulations are currently in place to protect companies, the laws are constantly evolving and you need to be aware of how this can affect your bottom line.

Risk management advisors have the opportunity to offer life sciences businesses valuable support when it comes to assessing, quantifying, and mitigating risk exposure. Particularly valuable solutions and services include strategic risk consulting, supply chain management, clinical trials risk management, and business continuity or crisis management plans. Because the work of different life sciences companies tends to be diverse and highly nuanced, it can help to have the insight of not only internal and external stakeholders, but also advisors, such as Marsh, who can add perspective from an industry-wide stance. Taking a comprehensive approach to developing tailored solutions, from insurance brokerage to advisory and risk management services, can position your company for stability and success and allow you to focus on safety and profitability.