Breaking down barriers to collaboration in pharma and healthcare R&D

Collaboration is often described as the lifeblood of pharmaceutical and healthcare R&D. With rising costs, complex approval processes, and a rapidly evolving scientific landscape, no organisation can succeed in isolation. Yet while collaboration promises faster innovation and more efficient delivery, in practice, many R&D teams struggle with ineffective collaboration models, siloed cross-functional teams, and weak project, programme, and portfolio management (P3M) processes.

These challenges are more than operational setbacks: they can directly affect outcomes. Research delays, cost overruns, and wasted resources can all stem from poor collaboration, threatening competitiveness and, ultimately, patient outcomes. Addressing these issues requires not just new structures, but a fundamental shift in mindset, supported by strong leadership and targeted learning and development.

Evolving collaboration models

Today’s pharma and healthcare projects increasingly depend on partnerships beyond organisational boundaries. Strategic alliances with academic institutions, biotech firms, healthcare providers, and even competitors are now common. These relationships give R&D teams access to specialised expertise, advanced technologies, and a broader understanding of patient needs.

However, partnerships also bring risks. Differences in objectives, intellectual property concerns, and the complexities of data sharing can all slow progress. Without strong governance and communication skills, collaborations that should accelerate discovery can instead create friction and inefficiency.

Siloed cross-functional teams

Even within organisations, silos remain a persistent problem. Research scientists, regulatory specialists, clinical teams, and commercial staff often operate with their own processes, terminology, and metrics. The result? Miscommunication, misaligned priorities, and delays across the development pipeline.

Breaking down silos requires more than simply encouraging departments to “work together.” It demands structural support, clear shared objectives, and a culture where collaboration is valued as much as technical expertise. Leaders must be the role models for this behaviour, while project managers and team leads play a critical role in aligning goals and ensuring open communication.

Ineffective P3M processes

Pharmaceutical R&D is characterised by long timelines and high risk, with drug development taking an average of 10–15 years. In this environment, effective project, programme, and portfolio management is essential. Yet many organisations still struggle with legacy systems, weak governance, and poor alignment with strategy.

Ineffective P3M processes can result in poor project prioritisation, duplicated efforts, wasted resources, and missed milestones. Without alignment across the portfolio, promising opportunities may be overlooked while less strategic projects consume valuable time and budget. Strengthening P3M practices helps ensure that projects are selected, prioritised, and executed in line with organisational goals.

How L&D can help

Learning and development plays a vital role in addressing collaboration challenges. Tailored training in stakeholder engagement, communication, and leadership equips teams to navigate both internal silos and external partnerships. Skills in governance, risk management, and benefits realisation give project professionals the tools to ensure collaborations deliver value.

In particular, development in P3M practices provides a common language and toolkit for managing complex portfolios. When teams share an understanding of project and programme management frameworks, it becomes easier to align priorities, improve visibility, and streamline delivery.

L&D can also help foster a culture of collaboration by embedding soft skills such as empathy, adaptability, and conflict resolution. These are essential for overcoming friction in cross-functional and cross-organisational teams.

Collaboration as the foundation of R&D success

Collaboration challenges may take different forms, but the impact is the same: slower timelines, higher costs, and missed opportunities. Addressing them is not simply about improving communication, but about reshaping how R&D organisations work together at every level. Strong governance, shared objectives, and effective project, programme and portfolio management practices provide the structure needed to align teams. At the same time, leadership and cultural skills ensure that collaboration becomes a daily habit rather than a one-off effort.

By tackling these barriers, pharma and healthcare R&D organisations can unlock the true potential of collaboration. They can accelerate innovation, improve decision-making, and bring therapies to patients faster, creating benefits not just for their business, but for society as a whole.

Download our white paper to explore how collaboration challenges are reshaping pharma and healthcare R&D. Discover how our development programmes in governance, portfolio management, and communication can help your teams work together more effectively.