Transforming Biopharma

How can healthcare and biopharma meet patients where they are? Maria Whitman interviews Oya Gilbert, a podcaster and patient advocate, about his journey as a multiple myeloma patient. They also talk about Oya’s work with the Health, Hope and Hip-Hop Foundation, which aims to use hip-hop culture to promote health literacy in underserved communities. Covering the importance of authenticity and trust in healthcare, as well as the need for education and empowerment for patients, this conversation highlights the importance of understanding each individual’s unique experience and addressing their specific needs.

How can pharma use AI and other technology to deliver a better customer experience? Maria Whitman and a panel of ZS experts discuss pharma’s next-generation commercial model. Carolyn Morrow, Namita Powers, Srihari Sarangan and Karthik Sourirajan talk about how pharma can create behavior-changing, personalized customer engagement at scale and how companies will need to rethink data collection to achieve data connection. 

Recent headlines about the use of prescription drugs for weight loss make obesity a prominent and relevant topic in today’s discussions about health and well-being. Bill Coyle, ZS’s global head of biopharma, and Mandi White-Ajmani, Ph.D., clinical psychologist and owner, Small Brooklyn Psychology, join Maria Whitman to talk about the underlying challenges obesity presents to society and healthcare, even as new treatments emerge.

Yelak Biru, president and CEO of the International Myeloma Foundation, is passionate about patient advocacy with good reason—he’s been one himself for 28 years. Yelak joins Maria Whitman to talk about his patient experience and how it shaped his perspective as the leader of the first and largest global organization focusing specifically on multiple myeloma. He also talks about how evolving tools and technology like AI can be used to create personalized patient experience, how his passion for data and analytics informs his work today and the key areas where biopharma can engage to better support patients on their journey.

As biopharma transforms its commercial model, what can it learn from other industries? To find out, Maria Whitman sits down with Arun Shastri, global AI practice lead at ZS. Arun’s an expert on how organizations are modernizing their customer experience and the technology and mindset needed for success. He discusses key principles for the modern sales organization, the real potential of artificial intelligence and how companies can unlock success. Hear how pharma can learn from disruptors, influencers and innovators everywhere.

Madhavi Ramakrishna, global vice president and chief digital officer of commercial, GSK, is passionate about data and technology. A former executive in broadcast media, she’s now at the forefront of adopting analytics to drive commercial success in biopharma. In this episode, she shares her definition of digital transformation and discusses the biggest opportunities she sees for innovation in pharma’s commercial model. She also discusses what pharma can learn about digital success from companies like Nike and Apple, how pharma can best realize generative AI’s potential and her vision of what successful digital transformation in pharma might look like.

Savitri Basavaiah, vice president portfolio and commercialization strategy at Janssen, the Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, has a deep background in biopharma. She joins Maria Whitman to talk about the broader challenges of commercial leadership and what the future might look like as pharma reimagines its commercial model. She also discusses what pharma should do next at a moment when the pace of innovation is incredibly fast and the challenges are unprecedented; why a growth mindset is critical as the industry thinks about the skills and capabilities it needs for the future; and why inclusive leadership is the key to unlocking value for patients.

Propeller Health brings digital therapeutic expertise together with respiratory care experience to create solutions that improve patients’ lives. General Manager Susa Monacelli joins Maria Whitman to give her perspective on how pharma companies can succeed on the new frontier of digital therapeutics. She also talks about the progress made so far in realizing the potential of digital therapeutics—and what still needs to be done—as well as the learning curves that may create barriers to adoption for providers and patients. Finally, she discusses the foundational questions that pharma should address before embarking on a digital therapeutic strategy.

As head of precision medicine for Merck U.S. Oncology, Dennis Flannelly is thinking ahead. He joins Maria Whitman in this episode to talk about the capability and mindset shifts biopharma needs to make to design, develop and deliver on precision medicine. He also shares the successes he's seen and what he's most excited about as precision medicine evolves. Listen to find out why navigating data will be a key capability in the future and hear advice for biopharma executives who want to succeed in precision medicine. 

Biotech CEO/CBO Kris Elverum has worked in large pharma and small biotech firms. He currently acts as a consultant and advisor to both biotech and venture capital companies. Kris joins Maria Whitman on the podcast to share his perspective on precision medicine and the opportunities he sees ahead, as well as how biopharma companies of all sizes can succeed in this sector.