For decades, substantial public investment—particularly in nations such as the United States and Singapore—has driven biomedical research. Today, however, shrinking budgets and waning traditional revenue streams are creating critical gaps in the innovation pipeline. Stepping into this void is a new wave of funders—philanthropists, foundations, corporations, venture investors, and cross-sector alliances—who are increasingly shaping the course of global biomedical progress. This session will explore how countries across Asia-Pacific, Europe, and beyond are advancing research and development in frontier fields such as gene editing and AI-driven drug discovery. As the geopolitical landscape of science shifts, we will explore how bold leadership can accelerate high-impact innovation, close critical research gaps, and ensure that the next generation of breakthroughs strengthens global health equity in an era of unprecedented change.