Real Chemistry
Real Chemistry is a healthcare-only communications and marketing group founded by chairman Jim Weiss and backed by New Mountain Capital, with 14 office hubs including Boston, Chicago, New York, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., London and Zurich. It provides integrated and medical communications, market access, precision media, analytics and commercial services to pharmaceutical and biotech companies, saying it works with the top 20 pharma companies. O'Dwyer's ranks it second among independent PR firms with $560 million in 2025 net fees and 2,034 staff. Nobody pays to be ranked.
Why it’s hereThe second-largest independent PR firm in O'Dwyer's 2025 rankings and MM+M's 2025 Healthcare Network of the Year. Number 6 of the PR firms in the US.
Who leads itShankar Narayanan, Chief Executive Officer.
Estimated: $8,000–$15,000/mo, typical for US PR retainers; not a quote.
Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
A fit forPharmaceutical and life sciences companies that want one healthcare-specialist network for communications, medical expertise, AI and data analytics, and creative when bringing a product to market.
- Based in
- San Francisco, CA
- Team size
- 500+ people
- Led by
- Shankar Narayanan, Chief Executive Officer
- Known for
- healthcare communications · medical communications · market access · precision media · analytics
- Best for
- Pharmaceutical and life sciences companies that want one healthcare-specialist network for communications, medical expertise, AI and data analytics, and creative when bringing a product to market.
- Estimated cost
Estimated: $8,000–$15,000/mo, typical for US PR retainers; not a quote.
Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
UpdateGlobal healthcare communications network with main hubs in cities including New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Boston and London; Shankar Narayanan succeeded Jim Weiss as CEO in January 2022.
Sources realchemistry.com, odwyerpr.com
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