BUSINESS INSIGHTS
Network pharmacology: curing by design

The pharma industry is under pressure to improve R&D productivity, yet many chronic diseases remain untreatable at the root cause. In this episode, Prof. Dr. med. Harald HHW Schmidt, medical doctor, pharmacist and professor at Maastricht University, Coordinator REPO4.EU, joins our partner and pharma expert Dr. Thilo Kaltenbach to discuss how network pharmacology could redefine disease understanding and accelerate the path to cures.

The conversation outlines why current organ-based definitions limit therapeutic impact and how a more precise, mechanism-based approach could open new frontiers. Harald Schmidt explains how understanding protein interaction networks in cells helps identify new combinations of existing drugs, allowing for faster, more cost-effective clinical trials and increased repurposing potential.

But the scientific vision is only one part of the transformation. The business model of global pharma, the regulatory system, and reimbursement frameworks are not yet built to support this paradigm shift. The discussion also highlights the European Union’s role in backing early implementation, and how new tools, platforms, and partnerships can help navigate regulatory, clinical, and commercial hurdles.

Looking ahead, the idea of a personalized, preventive health system powered by early genome sequencing and risk-based treatment could become reality. Yet for this future to materialize, companies and policymakers will need to align on a fair return for innovation, especially when reinventing existing drugs for new applications.

How can the pharmaceutical industry address ongoing supply shortages? This episode examines the structural challenges affecting drug availability and the strategic measures companies and governments are adopting to mitigate risks.

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