LIFE SCIENCES AND MEDTECH
PREDICTIONS FOR 2026
REPUTATION & CRISIS MANAGEMENT
PREDICTIONS FOR 2026
Investment Will Finally Loosen
and medical devices. While the specific playbook is still forming, likely tools include: • Executive Orders accelerating permitting and licensing for FDA-regulated manufacturing sites • Near-shoring incentives for critical inputs (APIs, reagents, chips used in connected devices) • Tax credits or expedited grants for domestic production of essential medicines and Class II/ Class III devices Employer impact: expanded facility operations, higher demand for manufacturing talent, and increased workforce mobility programs. FDA Deregulation Boosts Commercial Hiring and Launch Velocity A more deregulatory posture at the FDA will shorten timelines, ease certain labeling and post-market requirements, and speed up device modifications – paving the way for aggressive commercial expansion. Life Sciences companies will respond by hiring more sales reps, market-access specialists, and clinical educators to support faster launches. Employer impact: larger commercial footprints, more salesforce restructuring, and heavier training obligations.
After two years of political and economic whiplash, private equity and venture capital are poised to open the tap again in 2026. Funds have been sitting on record dry powder, waiting for stability and clearer signals on rates, regulation, and market direction. With the plateau of late 2025 giving way to calmer footing, expect a Q2– Q4 modest to significant increase in capital deployment, especially into growth-stage MedTech, AI-driven therapeutics, and device makers with strong regulatory pathways. Employer impact: renewed hiring across R&D, clinical operations, commercial teams, and regulatory affairs. Immigration Will Stabilize After the H-1B Turbulence The 2025 H-1B shakeup created chaos for research labs, device developers, and engineering teams – but the dust has largely settled. With clearer rules and predictable wage tiers, companies now know how to plan. More Life Sciences employers will shift toward alternative pathways – O-1, TN, STEM OPT, and J-1 research programs – to secure global talent. Employer impact: better workforce planning, more reliable candidate pipelines, and fewer emergency visa workarounds. The Administration Will Push Domestic Drug and Device Manufacturing We expect a 2026 push for “US-based resilience” in pharmaceuticals, biologics,
Businesses Won’t Be Able to Escape Political Wars Employers will find themselves thrust more deeply into the political and culture wars in 2026. Active political engagement by both employees and the public will increase while the administration will take strong stances that may not always align with employee and client preferences and interests. With employees protesting, organizing, and boycotting more than ever, employers must walk a narrower tightrope to maintain productive internal, external, and regulatory relations. 👉 Read More: The Politics of Brand Perception: 5 Steps for Business Leaders Managing Political Outcry AI to the Rescue? The widespread adoption of AI tools will democratize reputation management and make it easier for organizations with fewer resources to effectively plan and execute strategic messaging. But this new trend comes with risks. ChatGPT and other GenAI tools are only as good as the humans using them, and clumsy AI use will harm organizations that rely on it in unsubtle and unskilled ways. Fractured Media Landscape Will Dominate Discourse Non-traditional media (social media, individual reporting, video posts, review aggregators, etc.) and “micro-audiences” will play a dominant role in reputation management in 2026, eclipsing the reputational impact of legacy media outlets. Out are polished, media-savvy statements. What will be in? Building and mobilizing grassroots support to develop vocal coalitions of helpful stakeholders. Plan for Professional Provocateurs More and more organizations will find themselves the targets of professional provocateurs. The new media internet has amplified the use of “yellow journalism” tactics – such as lurid headlines, exaggerated claims, and conspiracy theories – with the goal of getting clicks, gaining followers, and growing platforms through algorithmic amplification. These individuals thrive on controversy, sensationalism, emotional reaction, and institutional overreaction. Your organization will need to have a plan ahead of time so you’re not scrambling when a crisis hits, so work with FP’s Reputation and Crisis Management Team now to develop a strategy.
James C. Fessenden San Diego/Irvine Partner, Life Sciences and Pharma
Rick Grimaldi Philadelphia/Washington, D.C./
Brandon Kahoush San Francisco/Silicon Valley Partner, Life Sciences and Pharma
New Jersey/Cleveland Partner, Co-Chair
Melanie L. Webber Cleveland Partner, Co-Chair
John M. Polson Irvine/Los Angeles Chairman and Managing Partner
Jeannie Muzinic Tampa
Danielle H. Moore San Diego Management Committee Co-Chair Tech Team
Chief Busines Development & Marketing Officer, Co-Chair
Pawel Binczyk Portland, ME Partner
Hannah Sweiss Woodland Hills/Los Angeles Partner, Co-Chair Healthcare Team
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