Driving Progress

A recurring theme running throughout biopharma today is that innovation is moving faster than ever — but only if organizations can keep pace with it. That idea comes through clearly in two of this issue’s executive features.

In a special conversation with Sarah O’Keeffe, Ph.D., group vice president of product research and development at Eli Lilly, the trained chemist shares with Pharm Exec the company’s ambitious new Medicine Foundry and a challenge that may surprise some readers: Discovery is no longer the primary bottleneck. More apparent is the question of whether global life sciences organizations can reliably manufacture, scale and deliver increasingly sophisticated therapies quickly enough to reach patients. O’Keeffe’s vision centers on breaking down the traditional barriers between research and development and manufacturing, leveraging digital technologies and artificial intelligence and creating a more connected system where every day saved can translate into faster access for patients.

Our cover profile of Theravance Biopharma CEO Rick Winningham offers a reminder that scientific progress is only as strong as the people behind it. Named the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association’s 2026 Honorable Mentor, Winningham reflects on a career built around mission, mentorship and long-term leadership development. His perspective is refreshingly simple: Strong pipelines don’t emerge solely from great science — they emerge from cultures that invest in people, encourage growth and prepare the next generation of leaders.

Combined, these stories highlight two sides of the same challenge. The future of health care depends not just on accelerating innovation, but also building the talent, systems and leadership needed to sustain it.

Thanks for reading.

Mike Hennessy Jr. is Chairman and CEO of MJH Life Sciences^®