Deloitte Survey Finds Rising Company Confidence in Life Sciences Despite External Challenges
Life sciences executives report they are demonstrating strong confidence in their own company performance and remain focused on executing disciplined growth strategies despite continued wariness of external conditions, according to the “Deloitte 2026 Mid-year Life Sciences Outlook.”
Sixty-two percent of leaders say their company outlook has improved, while only 9% feel better about the global economy. That gap suggests that life sciences companies are likely banking on execution even as they remain uncertain about external factors.
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Key takeaways
- Company confidence is outpacing macro confidence: 62% of executives are more confident in their company’s outlook, versus 9% who are more optimistic about the global economy.
- R&D remains the top spend, while AI and digital are gaining pace: AI and digital investments are now growing at the same rate as R&D.
- AI deployment is outpacing value outcomes: 71% report progress on AI deployment over the past six months, but only 45% report measurable performance gains.
- Partnerships are accelerating AI and innovation: 61% of leaders cite partnerships as especially important for accessing AI capabilities, and 45% emphasize partnerships for innovation and pipeline development.
- Investment posture balances growth and risk: About half (49%) of executives describe their approach as balanced, while 36% are taking a more growth-oriented approach compared to six months ago.
- Risk profiles differ by sector: Biopharma leaders cite policy and reimbursement as the biggest risks, while medtech leaders point to macroeconomic conditions and care delivery dynamics.
Why this matters
Life sciences leaders report that they are increasingly focused on successfully executing internal strategies within their immediate control, prioritizing strategic resource allocation, productivity improvements, commercial execution, strategic partnerships and AI value measurement. In the second half of 2026, leaders may have an opportunity to strengthen resilience where exposure is highest, demonstrate value in AI and sharpen organizational and operational agility.
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Key quotes
“As life sciences leaders continue to navigate a complex operating environment shaped by overlapping pressures, the leaders who are likely to perform best are those converting this internal confidence into measurable action.”
- Pete Lyons, U.S. Life Sciences sector leader, Deloitte
“AI deployment is advancing rapidly, but the gap between deployment speed and value measurement suggests a critical need to define KPIs, establish baselines and prove the use cases that advance strategic business priorities. Companies that focus on workflow redesign and rigorous value demonstration may be well positioned to capture the full value of their AI investments.”
Deloitte provides industry-leading audit, consulting, tax and advisory services to many of the world’s most admired brands, including nearly 90% of the Fortune 500® and more than 9,000 U.S.-based private companies. At Deloitte, we strive to live our purpose of making an impact that matters for our people, clients, and communities. We bring together distinct talents, technologies, disciplines, and an ecosystem of alliances to help tackle today’s most complex business challenges and drive long-term progress. Deloitte is proud to be part of the largest global professional services network serving our clients in the markets that are most important to them.
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