And what company was this that you worked for that was willing to work on projects with 30 to 40 year timelines for possibly delivering a product?
My interaction with the pharm industry does tell me they have longer timelines than an average company, but we're still nowhere near 30+ years before a product is delivered, after which you then have the FDA approval process.
"but we're still nowhere near 30+ years before a product is delivered, after which you then have the FDA approval process."
This is your first mistake. Pharmaceuticals are not delivered until after the FDA approval process.
I never said I worked for them, but I did study what they do when I was applying to work for them years ago. All of the big ones work off of a long term strategy.
One other thing. In business school I was informed that the board of directors of an large company (any type) was to look out for the strategic long-term good of the company. This was defined in the text books as being not less than 25 years and usually went to at least 50 years.