The JP Morgan Healthcare Conference sets the tempo for pharma leaders and the wider industry. Whilst analysts tracked deals, our Social Media team combed conversations across X, Reddit, Facebook and major news outlets – tracking volume, visibility, engagement and trusted voices to separate signal from noise. The result: #JPM26 insights communicators can act on now.  

Two key trends emerged:  

1. Oncology remains front and centre, with continued focus on innovation and growth

With significant interest in all things obesity over the past few years, JPM26 is a timely reminder that oncology is still a powerhouse.

• Competition is intensifying as assets mature and new partnerships emerge → Credible differentiation will be vital at both therapy area and corporate level. Brands must avoid tropes and clichés to stand out.
• AI momentum in oncology R&D is evolving from “AI will deliver” to “AI is delivering” as hype becomes reality → Communicators will need to ensure that AI is a central message pillar (e.g., AI-enabled pipelines) in how they communicate around their oncology pipelines, as failure to do so could mean they are perceived as being behind.

2. New CEOs mean new narratives

There has been a significant wave of new appointments across the industry and 2026 is likely to be the year they begin to make their mark.

• We saw newly appointed, and established CEOs, begin to put forward their 2026 visions as they seek to demonstrate value immediately due to industry (and markets') expectation → Communicators must build sharper thought leadership, media narratives and social visibility that clearly land each CEO’s strategic vision.
• New appointments will compete for share of voice and seek ways to successfully articulate their vision → Integrated PR + social campaigns will need to prioritise brand storytelling, category leadership and pipeline visibility to drive meaningful differentiation.

The broader backdrop

In addition to the above trends, it is always important for communicators to understand the wider environment they are working in and from JPM our insights showed:

• For much of the industry, 2026 is less about reinvention and more about delivery – confirming pipelines and navigating a tougher macro climate shaped by looming patent cliffs and economic volatility
• China continues its steady ascent as a competitive force in biopharma, with global players maintaining strong appetite for in-licensing, even as geopolitical headwinds add complexity
• Access remains central to the conversation across therapy areas as pressures on pricing, evolving reimbursement models, and policy shifts only increase

Need real insights for your 2026 comms and social plans?

As the year unfolds, the brands that win will be those that understand the signals early and translate them into meaningful strategies. From data-driven brand communications to leadership visibility, advocacy and social, our Public Relations and Social Media teams help clients cut through the noise, crafting stories that earn attention and move audiences. If you would like to discover how we can help you do the same, let’s talk.