The Science Behind Scientific Communication
In the fast-moving world of biotech and pharmaceuticals, groundbreaking research is only half the story. The other half? How well that research is communicated. Many companies develop innovative science but struggle to share its value with investors, partners, and customers. This gap between what companies know and what others understand directly affects funding outcomes, lead generation, and market position.
The numbers tell a compelling story. Biotech companies that invest in high-quality content marketing see an average three-year return on investment (ROI) of 844%, translating to $1.1 million in new revenue. And biotech shows the worst numbers. For pharma, the average three-year ROI is about 1000%, and for medical devices, close to 1500%. The picture is crystal clear. Content investments strengthen over time as a company builds authority and search visibility. Transparent, accurate communication builds trust and credibility with audiences who evaluate life sciences companies on both innovation and integrity.
How clear scientific writing converts
Research analyzing millions of landing page conversions found that pages written at a 5th to 7th-grade reading level convert at 11.1%. This is 56% higher than pages written at professional complexity levels. For life sciences companies, this is a big warning. Their pages are often filled with complex copy, meaning they are losing on accessibility and missing opportunities to impress investors, regulators, and healthcare professionals.
This isn't about dumbing down science. It's about translation, speed, and ease of understanding. A 5th-grade reading level refers to sentence structure and word choice, not conceptual depth. When scientific content is precise, accessible, and free of unnecessary jargon, readers grasp the core concept faster. This allows them to trust it. And they act on it more reliably. Making science simple and relatable isn't just good practice, but a proven conversion strategy.
The cost of poor communication is substantial. New research by Grammarly (now Superhuman) shows that US businesses lose approximately $1.2 trillion annually due to inadequate communication. In life sciences, where regulatory compliance, clinical accuracy, and investor confidence are critical, communication failures carry outsized consequences. Companies that prioritize clear communication see tangible returns.
5 ways life sciences companies improve scientific communication and boost ROI
Here are five simple and evidence-based approaches that life sciences companies use to strengthen communication and drive measurable business impact.
Write for accessibility without sacrificing accuracy. Content that reaches a 5th to 7th-grade reading level converts significantly better than complex writing. Use tools like Hemingway App or Grammarly to help with this if needed. Aim to remove jargon, shorten sentences, and make the relevance of your research clear to non-specialists.
Align content with search intent for qualified lead generation (SEO). Companies that publish regular, scientifically accurate blog content targeting niche keywords attract self-qualified leads. People searching for specific scientific solutions have already identified their problem. Globally, biotech companies see an average 1.8% organic conversion rate, because the audience self-qualifies through search intent.
Invest in content depth and consistency to build search authority. Companies that blog consistently generate 67% more monthly leads than those without. Among B2B companies that maintain active blogs, ROI is 13 times higher than non-blogging competitors. This advantage compounds over time as search engines recognize a website's authority in a particular field.
Ground content in genuine scientific expertise. Content produced with deep domain knowledge ranks higher and builds stronger credibility than generic alternatives. Studies comparing expert-written scientific content to AI-generated writing reveal significant gaps. While AI systems generate grammatically fluent text, expert-written content demonstrates superior depth, factual consistency, and nuanced argument logic. AI may present accurate information, but it often lacks the contextual understanding that researchers and PhDs bring to specialized audiences.
Use clear writing to stand out in saturated market. As 89% of B2B marketers increase content output in 2025, saturation is inevitable. Companies that invest in genuinely expert-driven communication stand out in search results and convert at higher rates.
Impact of scientific communication in research and funding
Scientific communication shapes research trajectories in measurable ways. Researchers who excel at communicating their work secure more funding than equally qualified peers who struggle to articulate their vision. This is a pattern, not coincidence. Grant reviewers allocate funding based on written proposals, and those proposals are evaluated on clarity and persuasiveness.
For biotech companies navigating the "valley of death" between early-stage research and commercialization, this dynamic becomes critical. Companies that articulate not just what their science does but why it addresses an unmet need (clinical, scientific, societal) attract investment at higher rates. They secure partnerships with larger pharmaceutical players. They recruit top talent faster.
The impact extends beyond funding. Research with clear communication gets cited more frequently. Scientists who communicate effectively build larger collaborative networks. They influence others better and their science is gains traction faster. Over a researcher's career, these communication-driven advantages compound substantially.
Why scientific accuracy shapes search rankings and competitive advantage
Search engine algorithms have evolved to reward content that demonstrates expertise and trustworthiness. Google's systems now evaluate whether content is written by authors with demonstrated authority in the topic. Content that shows scientific accuracy, cites peer-reviewed research, and avoids factual errors ranks higher and sustains those rankings longer.
This technical reality translates to business advantage. A blog post on drug metabolism written with biochemical accuracy by an author with credentials in pharmacology outranks generic content on the same topic. Over months and years, this ranking advantage compounds. The scientifically accurate website becomes the reference site. Traffic grows. Leads accumulate.
What separates emerging biotech companies from their rivals is often not the science itself but the ability to communicate why that science matters. Investors, researchers, and pharmaceutical partners evaluate companies not just on what they study but on how clearly they articulate clinical or commercial relevance. In a sector where credibility determines funding and partnerships, scientific rigor is in itself a SEO strategy and a competitive edge.
Practical advice for life science companies
For startups and SMEs in life sciences, the question is not whether to invest in communication but how to maximize the impact of that investment. An option is to do it in-house, through your scientists. Another is to hire part time, freelance help. You may also hire a dedicated person, A final option is to aim for a big agency. Here are some tips to make the money last and help you the most.
Aim for consistency: 1 blog a month and 1 promotional post a week is a great and simple start that you may even be able to do in-house. Alternatively, small businesses or freelancers can tackle this.
Quality over volume: A few SEO-optimized blogs, articles written by experts, and fact-checked posts beat a flurry of aimless activity. Strategy and quality matter. Hiring experts for SEO and strategy, whether freelance, agency, or in-house, is definitely the best choice.
Outsource when your hands are full: In-house scientists can help you with content, but their time might be better spent elsewhere. Paying for high-quality content is worth it if it increases your team productivity.
Hire when you are ready for a constant commitment: A dedicated person to create quality content will help you in the long run. Hire when you are ready for the investment of a full-time salary, it will be worth it.
If you look to outsource, partnering with scientific communication services that combine SEO and social media expertise with domain knowledge is the best option. Businesses like Helixa Communications create content that is simultaneously scientifically rigorous and search-optimized. This de-risks the investment and accelerates returns.
If you want to learn more about our services, head here!
