In today’s biotech world, science has become incredibly complex and multi-layered. Published results are often taken as gospel, but the reality is that you can’t always rely on the conclusions of papers and studies. Recent research shows alarming statistics: many scientific studies cannot be reproduced. In 2016, a study published in Nature found that most scientists had difficulty reproducing the results of their own and other people’s experiments. In 2024, a study on the topic confirmed that problems with reproducibility persist in the biomedical field and affect the credibility of research.
This is especially important for biotech investors. Investing in a project with an unstable scientific base carries enormous risks. In an environment where many research results are difficult or impossible to reproduce, rigorous scientific verification through due diligence is essential for informed investment decisions.
The Role of Expertise in a World of Complex Data
Preparing to invest in biotech requires a deep understanding not only of the specific science, but also of the reliability of the research methodology. Numerous factors can lead to a research result being non-reproducible: pressure to publish, limited resources to validate experiments, statistical errors, or even bias. In such situations, it is important to have a trusted expert who will conduct a detailed analysis of the data to identify the potential and weaknesses of each project.
Professional analysis helps to identify both the real prospects of the project and possible pitfalls. Such support, like a reliable guide, points the investor to projects that have solid scientific evidence and prospects, and helps to avoid those that do not have a reliable basis.
Support in Making Investment Decisions
In order to invest in biotechnology successfully, one must have faith in its dependability in addition to an interest in science. Careful scientific research is necessary to obtain this level of assurance in a setting where many studies are still non-reproducible. Expert due diligence enables businesses to see past the statistics and distinguish between projects that are merely false prospects and those that have potential.
Having a trustworthy partner who can decipher complicated scientific data aids investors in making wise decisions, conserving money, and preventing losses. Relying on reproducible and effective scientific evidence is crucial when investing in biotechnology, which is a long-term endeavour.
References:
Cobey KD, Ebrahimzadeh S, Page MJ, Thibault RT, Nguyen PY, Abu-Dalfa F, Moher D. Biomedical researchers’ perspectives on the reproducibility of research. PLoS Biol. 2024 Nov 5;22(11):e3002870. doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002870. PMID: 39499707; PMCID: PMC11537370.
Baker, M. 1,500 scientists lift the lid on reproducibility. Nature 533, 452–454 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/533452a
