PharmaBoardroom

New report download: Switzerland Healthcare & Life Sciences Review 2024 Switzerland stands tall as a global powerhouse in healthcare and life sciences, a nation where innovation and precision converge to shape the future of medicine. With its thriving biotech ecosystem, groundbreaking research, and advanced manufacturing capabilities, Switzerland remains the gold standard in Europe—punching far above its weight for a country of just 8.5 million. Home to giants like Novartis and Roche, with pharmaceuticals accounting for a staggering 40% of national exports, this is a nation that continues to lead on the world stage. But even titans face challenges. Switzerland lags behind in healthcare digitalization, a critical weakness in an era of data-driven innovation. Regulatory and pricing pressures in the local market further complicate matters, slowing access to groundbreaking therapies at home and raising questions about the country’s ability to maintain its status as an R&D hub. Yet, Switzerland is no stranger to reinvention. Ambitious digital initiatives and bold new reimbursement models signal a readiness to tackle these obstacles head-on and secure its future. This report dives deep into the intricacies of Switzerland’s healthcare and life sciences sectors. From the resilience of its regulatory frameworks and cutting-edge manufacturing to the pivotal role of generics and biosimilars in balancing costs, it captures the full spectrum of a nation at the crossroads of tradition and transformation. Download now, for free, at: https://lnkd.in/ezwcEvaS Featuring the insights of: Michael Altorfer Stefan Berg Matteo Boggi Hans Peter Borger Dr. Raimund Bruhin, Exec. MPA Uni Bern Dr. René P. Buholzer Myriam DeLeone Dennis Engelke Jérome Garcin Katharina M. Gasser Dimitri Gitas Giuseppe Grossi Adrian Hunn Christof Kloepper Michael Kubischik ✅Patrick M. Leimgruber Thomas Meier Anne Mette Wiis Vogelsang Deana Mohr-Haralampieva Stephan Mumenthaler Lars Nieba Ernst Niemack Max Pahlow Georg Pirmin Meyer Marianthi Psaha Michael Quirmbach Daniel Roth Kari Sarvanto Florian Saur Florian Schick Thomas A. Tóth von Kiskér David Traub David Veitch Miro Venturi Fabrice Vericel Hendrik von Waldburg Daniel Weber Ricardo Werner Marek Thomas Wirth Jürg Utzinger

Sparking Life and Innovation in China China is Merck Group's second-largest global market and, as Managing Director & General Manager of Merck China Healthcare Vivian Zhang explains, the company has a comprehensive and long-term commitment to the country. Zhang explains how Merck leverages its Beijing R&D hub to accelerate clinical trials and collaborates with local companies to expand innovation. She also lays out how Merck is leading the way in fertility treatments in China while supporting government efforts through education, advocacy for improved access, and solutions aligned with population development goals. Read the full, exclusive conversation at https://lnkd.in/g2n7CRG9

This week on PharmaBoardroom we look at the Mexican government's ambitious new plan to tackle the country's diabetes crisis; ophthalmology specialist Santen's winning strategy to improve eye health in China; insights into the Swiss biotech ecosystem from one of the country's top VC firms; and a conversation with the Puerto Rican institution aiming to propel the island towards R&D hub status

Driving Diagnostic Innovation in China Vincent Chan, VP and GM of bioMérieux Greater China, shares insights into how the microbiology diagnostics company's presence has evolved in China over the course of 30 years to today serve some 4,000 hospitals across the country. He walks us through the government measures that have prioritized microbiology testing to reduce antibiotic overuse and the cost containment efforts that have resulted in pricing pressures, and comments on the company's efforts to reduce its time-to-market in China. Read the full conversation at https://lnkd.in/dCUuiPs4 and stay tuned for our full Healthcare & Life Sciences Review China country report coming later this month  

Eyes on the Prize Eye health often flies under the radar, receiving far less attention than areas like oncology or diabetes. Yet, conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy are serious, with incidence rates rising due to aging populations, diabetes, and increased screen time. Marianthi Psaha, EMEA lead at Santen, a global leader with a singular focus on ophthalmology, explains how the company is gearing up for three major product launches in the next few years while doubling down on awareness, partnerships, and innovation. Read the full interview at: https://lnkd.in/dTRdahvU

This week’s top content on PharmaBoardroom includes what Donald Trump's pick for FDA chief means for pharma; Daiichi Sankyo's winning strategy in Switzerland; how Puerto Rico is attempting to transition into an R&D hub; and insights from J&J Medtech on the move to value-based care in Mexico

The Future of European Pharma Europe and Canada (EUCAN) have an essential role in Takeda’s global mission to advance healthcare innovation. Ricardo Werner Marek, President of Takeda’s EUCAN division, discusses the operational and regulatory challenges in the continent (as well as the multiple opportunities), the importance of Switzerland as a strategic base, and Takeda’s post-Shire acquisition growth strategy. Read our exclusive interview, in full, at: https://lnkd.in/dfvzk9rc

BMS in Switzerland: Talent, Access & Innovation Jérome Garcin, newly appointed General Manager of Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) Switzerland, shares his journey to the role and discusses the strategic importance of the Swiss affiliate within the global BMS network. He highlights BMS’s focus on innovation across therapeutic areas such as oncology, hematology, cardiology and neurology, as well as Switzerland’s unique healthcare landscape—including its approach to advanced therapies like CAR-T. Garcin also addresses the challenges of the local healthcare system and his priorities for talent development and future growth within BMS Switzerland. Read the full interview at: https://lnkd.in/gEp4NvV7

Shaping the Future of Mental Health: A Global Call for Innovation & Policy Reform Dr Catherine Duggan, CEO of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), lays out how mental health systems must shift from reactive crisis intervention to proactive, patient-centered approaches; why traditional care models need reimagined funding that prioritises community mental health services and incentivises innovation; and the vital role that pharmacists, as accessible healthcare providers, can play in early symptom identification, stigma reduction, and community awareness. Read more at: https://lnkd.in/ddP4mJJS

This week’s top content on PharmaBoardroom includes four key trends to watch in the booming obesity drug boom; why blood biomarkers may be a massive breakthrough for Alzheimer’s diagnostics; what Trump’s second term might mean for pharma, vaccines, and innovation; reflections on building a new affiliate from the ground up in Switzerland; and Puerto Rico’s enduring appeal as a manufacturing hub.