Steering through geopolitical turbulence:

Building resilient pharma and life sciences operating models

Business colleagues discussing strategy at office
  • Insight
  • 5 minute read
  • 28/07/25

The pharmaceutical and life sciences industry is facing turbulent markets as geopolitical tensions continue to reshape the global landscape. These shifts require companies to rethink their operating models, from R&D to commercialisation. In this new reality, building resilience is key.

Supply chain and operations

At the core of this transformation is the need for robust and flexible operations, particularly in supply chain management and manufacturing. In today's volatile geopolitical environment, diversifying your supplier base across multiple regions and investing in local manufacturing capabilities can provide crucial buffers against disruptions, while also helping to navigate increasingly complex regulatory requirements. Advanced analytics for real-time operational visibility are becoming indispensable tools, enabling quick responses to unexpected changes across the entire value chain.

Clinical operations

Clinical trial strategies are also evolving in response to geopolitical factors. Developing a geographically diverse trial network can help insulate your research from regional instabilities. Incorporating remote monitoring and decentralised trial approaches not only increases resilience but can also improve patient accessibility and data quality. As regulatory expectations vary across regions, aligning protocols with these differences from the outset can prevent costly delays and setbacks.

Taxes and transfer pricing

In today's environment, regulatory strategies must be both compliant and forward-looking. It's crucial to anticipate future changes and build flexibility into your processes to ensure regulatory compliance in the supply chain. Scenario-based regulatory plans that account for potential geopolitical shifts become increasingly important to bolster operations. Legal considerations are also no longer separate from business strategy. With the rise of data-driven healthcare and cross-border collaborations, complex questions around data ownership, privacy, and intellectual property rights are emerging.

Preparation is key

Facilitating cross-functional collaboration within your organisation is crucial. Breaking down silos between regulatory, legal, tax, and operations teams can lead to more holistic and effective strategies. Scenario planning exercises that consider multiple geopolitical outcomes can help prepare your organisation for various futures. Implementing agile decision-making processes enables quicker responses to rapid changes in the global landscape.

Companies must focus on creating an operating model that's both resilient and adaptable. Regularly assessing the global footprint and being prepared to shift resources as needed can help you anticipate and quickly respond to geopolitical shifts. Developing strong relationships with regulators and policymakers across key markets can provide early insights into potential changes and help influence outcomes. Investing in workforce development ensures your team has the skills and knowledge to handle emerging challenges.

The most successful pharma and life sciences companies will be those that can turn challenges into opportunities. Building flexibility into your supply chain, adapting your clinical trial strategies, navigating complex tax landscapes, fostering cross-functional collaboration, and embracing digital transformation will help you to be well-positioned to weather geopolitical storms and seize new opportunities as they arise.

Act now

Are you ready to fortify your operating model against geopolitical risks? Let's start a conversation about how we can help you build a more resilient, future-ready organisation, so you can respond to geopolitical crises quickly and with confidence.

Our cross-functional team is here to provide tailored insights and solutions for your unique challenges.

Dr Sandra Ragaz-Fumia

Dr Sandra Ragaz-Fumia

Partner, Leader Pharma & Life Science – International Indirect Tax & ReguIatory, PwC Switzerland

Jean-Pierre Anzevui

Jean-Pierre Anzevui

Director, Pharma & Life Sciences – International Indirect Tax & Regulatory, PwC Switzerland

Dominik Hofstetter

Dominik Hofstetter

Senior Associate, Pharma & Life Science Regulatory, PwC Switzerland