Biopharma CEOs brace for COVID-19 variants; JP Morgan conference coverage

As the global economy continues to reel in the wake of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, leaders at the world's largest pharmaceutical and biotech companies said their industry remains largely on track, particularly as new treatments and vaccines hit the market.

Speaking at the 2021 J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference on Jan. 11, Johnson & Johnson CEO Alex Gorsky observed the progress the industry has made since the beginning of the outbreak.

"If you look at the improvements that have been made over the course of the last 10 months in morbidity and mortality as patients were hospitalized, and better understanding of how to treat these patients, how to take care of them, how to triage them — it's quite remarkable," Gorsky said.

The CEO added that the world is still in the middle of the pandemic, noting the toll the virus has taken while remaining unchecked. But the healthcare industry stepped up, he said.

"On a relative basis, I think healthcare systems around the world, let alone in this country, have responded in a very significant way," Gorsky said.

After challenging 2020, biopharma CEOs brace for COVID-19 variants, uncertainty

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Keep up to date with the latest sector-specific news on how the coronavirus may impact public health, the global economy and commodity markets. Market Intelligence users can view our Issue in Focus: Coronavirus: the global impact.

Essential Healthcare is a weekly collection of critical developments across the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, healthcare provider, healthcare technology and medical equipment industries that draws on exclusive analysis and value-added content from the Healthcare News team at S&P Global Market Intelligence. Subscribe now to get Essential Healthcare delivered to your inbox every week.