Market Matters with Ailsa Craig from Schroders

Our monthly podcast brings you big-picture insights from leading investment experts, exploring the opportunities, challenges and risks shaping investor portfolios.

This month's guest is Ailsa Craig, manager of the International Biotechnology Trust, who has extensive experience in the biotech industry.

In this month’s episode, we discuss a range of topics including the investment case for biotech, the role of M&A in plugging big pharma’s patent cliff and the most exciting developments in the sector.

00:00 Introduction

00:36 Background to asset management

02:58 What is biotech?

04:30 Most exciting developments in treatments

05:47 The merit of an active strategy

07:45 How has Trump affected M&A

10:04 Size of acquisitions

11:31 Credible challengers outside the US

12:36 Outlook for GLP1s

15:13 Impact of AI in biotech

16:21 Has sector consolidation been a positive?

18:01 Thoughts on current sector recovery

19:19 Thoughts on current market outlook

21:43 Risk warning

Please note that this podcast was recorded on 19 August 2025.