Sex-Specific Therapeutics - the Main Market Access Barrier

54% of biopharma leaders cite payer reimbursement as their biggest commercial hurdle.

Boston MA -- September 22: The life sciences sector is caught in a vice between tightening federal trial requirements and hostile commercial payer environments.

The Women's Health Infrastructure Report 2026 reveals that while clinical innovation is accelerating, translating that success into market adoption remains a massive operational barrier.

Reimbursement struggles (54%) vastly outweighed the challenges of FDA diversity compliance (28%) and clinical end-user adoption (14%).

"The path from target identification to clinical proof of concept in many women's health indications remains underdeveloped. Too often we lack validated biomarkers, predictive preclinical models, and clear regulatory pathways."

Fiona Marshall

President, Biomedical Research, Novartis

This finding represents just one of dozens of insights uncovered through the Women's Health Infrastructure Report 2026, a cross-sector study bringing together perspectives from health plans, providers, employers, clinicians, life sciences organisations and innovators.

The full report features detailed findings, expert commentary, benchmark data and practical implications for healthcare leaders looking to understand where women's health is heading next.

Lead Research Partner