Personify Health clients will now have integrated access to WeightWatchers for Business’s full-spectrum weight health platform. This platform is customizable to support benefit coverage decisions and offers a flexible spectrum of care that can grow in intensity from behavioral to medical interventions.

“Obesity is a serious and costly yet common issue. Employers are well-positioned to play an important role in helping their employees manage their weight and improve their overall health, but they can’t go it alone,” said Jeffrey Jacques, MD, chief medical officer at Personify Health.

WeightWatchers for Business’s platform includes:

• WeightWatchers’ science-backed behavior-change programs for sustained outcomes.
• Weight-health behavioral programs tailored to those living with diabetes and those on GLP-1 medications.
• Access to virtual clinic care and medication management for those eligible.
• Robust virtual and real-life communities and coaching support at scale.
• Integrated health insights for real-time data access and analysis.

WeightWatchers for Business has been a B2B partner for more than 35 years, with experience spanning 500+ businesses across all industries. With its science-backed weight health care platform, WeightWatchers for Business supports all acuity levels, taking a weight health first approach and optimizing for those members living with overweight, obesity, pre-diabetes, diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia.

This partnership marks a significant step forward in the fight against obesity and related health issues, providing employers with a comprehensive solution to support their employees’ weight health and overall wellbeing.

More details here

Julianne Bride’s 20+-year tenure with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts underscores her deep understanding of the intricacies of the healthcare landscape. She has successfully steered the development, execution, and measurement of numerous digital health initiatives, ensuring they leverage market, consumer, and industry trends and deliver exceptional quality, clinical efficacy, and operational efficiency.

In addition to Julianne’s impressive track record with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Julianne served as a consultant to CareHive before joining the company.

“We’re so happy to have Julianne officially join the team, bringing her strategic counsel, market focus, and passion for innovation to this new role,” said Ron Dixon, MD, CEO of CareHive. “Julianne’s proven expertise and her strategic acumen will be invaluable as we forge new partnerships and make sure our clients reach the successes they’re striving for.”

“I’m honored to join CareHive in this pivotal role,” said Julianne Bride. “The opportunity to lead strategic partnerships and enhance client success within such a dynamic and forward-thinking organization is truly exciting. I look forward to leveraging my experience to foster collaborations that drive meaningful advancements in how we deliver, pay for, and achieve quality in healthcare.”

About CareHive

CareHive Health provides a micro-targeted, behavior-changing healthcare navigation experience that helps patients with chronic conditions. With CareHive, patients, their providers, and their health plans can solve some of the most challenging access, cost and quality issues they face. From digital-first, highly personalized recommendations, to white glove support, CareHive ensures that patients get the lightest dose of high-quality care, at the right time and at a better price point. Discover more at carehive.com.

Contacts

For media inquiries, please contact:
Linda Zespy
VP of Marketing and Engagement
lzespy@carehive.com
651.329.9229

Salerno, Italy | Newel Health, a pioneer in digital therapeutics, is pleased to announce the appointment of Ervin Ukaj as its new Chief Executive Officer. A proven leader with an extensive digital health background, Ervin is well-positioned to drive Newel Health’s impact in the healthcare industry. Ervin’s impressive career includes founding startups acquired through successful mergers and acquisitions with entrepreneurial stint at Oppimi and strategic roles at Novartis Pharmaceuticals.

Ervin will spearhead the commercialization of the company’s pioneering digital therapeutics portfolio. He also aims to expand Newel’s cardiovascular and neuroscience product pipelines through strategic partnerships leveraging the company’s H.Core framework for the rapid development and testing of novel digital therapeutic candidates.

As I step into the role of CEO at Newel Health, I’m driven by a deep sense of purpose, said Ervin Ukaj. ” Our journey in the digital therapeutic realm is about more than just navigating complexities; it’s about fostering understanding, collaboration, and innovation. Together, we’re on a mission to ensure that patients and providers alike recognize the incredible promise of digital therapeutics, backed by rigorous research and validation. We want to forge a future where healthcare isn’t just effective, but compassionate and tailored to each person’s unique needs.

“Ervin’s entrepreneurial experience combined with his field knowledge, make him ideally suited to usher Newel into this new chapter,” said Mauro Pretolani Senior Partner of the FITEC fund-Fondo Italiano d’Investimento SGR, an indirect investor in Newel Health. “Under his guidance, we expect that Newel will accelerate product adoption in this nascent industry.”

Ervin holds an executive MBA from Bologna Business School and an GMP from Harvard Business School.

For media inquiries or to connect with Ervin Ukaj, contact: media@newel.health

About Newel Health:
Newel Health is a pioneering company dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with health conditions and supporting the work of their healthcare providers by developing clinically validated digital medicines (DM) and digital therapeutics (DTx) solutions. The company partners with pharmaceutical, medical device, and wellness organizations to broaden its customer base and fulfill its vision for future healthcare. With a history of successful industry collaborations and a patient-centered approach, Newel Health consistently achieves positive outcomes.
The company actively develops new digital product ideas in neuroscience and cardiovascular health and aims to forge new partnerships to expand its DTx offerings. Additionally, Newel Health owns H.Core, a proprietary software framework that speeds up the design, validation, production, and launch of its DM and DTx solutions. Read more at: newel.health

CHICAGO and SALERNO, Italy, April 15, 2024 / — EVERSANA, a leading provider of global commercial services to the life sciences industry, today unveiled a new full-service affiliate in its EVERSANA INTOUCH global agency network, EVERSANA INTOUCH Healthware.

Today’s announcement comes following the October 2023 acquisition of Healthware Group, an agency and innovation consultancy headquartered in Salerno, Italy. The new affiliate will operate from multiple offices across Italy, Finland, the United Kingdom and the United States, focused on innovation, transformation and client delight.

EVERSANA INTOUCH Healthware joins five full-service affiliates and four specialty affiliates serving clients across the globe with world-class strategy, next-generation branding and creative, and innovative solutions to propel the future of life science marketing. Combined, the network helps pharmaceutical, medical device, and emerging biotech companies globally launch products, expand market access, and solve unique geographic and market-specific challenges.

Fulvio Fortini, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, will lead the affiliate, and Roberto Ascione, founder and CEO of Healthware, will now assume a larger role across EVERSANA as President, Health Innovation. Ascione will be responsible for driving health innovation solutions and connecting opportunities for clients across the globe, an ideal new role given his background as a pioneer in digital health.

“Today marks a significant milestone in the ongoing journey of our team, and the continued commitment to driving meaningful impact for our clients,” said Roberto Ascione, President, Health Innovation, EVERSANA. “In an era where brands are increasingly challenged to meet the diverse needs of patients globally, innovative strategies are paramount. We are excited to harness our expertise to deliver customized, technology-driven solutions that effectively tackle the unique challenges confronting our clients in this ever-evolving landscape.“

“More than ever, our clients need partners with global strategy and integrated commercial solutions to bring brands to life around the world,” said Jim Lang, CEO, EVERSANA. “Now, through the expanded full-service affiliate of EVERSANA INTOUCH Healthware and coupled with Roberto’s new role driving greater innovation and transformation for clients, we’re positioned to deliver greater value to clients and their brands than ever before.”  

Healthware’s global events, media and publishing divisions – including the annual Frontiers Health conference and pharmaphorum, a premium source for healthcare and pharmaceutical industry news, insight and debate – will not experience any branding changes at this time. They are, however, fully owned and operated by EVERSANA.

About EVERSANA®
EVERSANA® is a leading independent provider of global services to the life sciences industry. The company’s integrated solutions are rooted in the patient experience and span all stages of the product life cycle to deliver long-term, sustainable value for patients, prescribers, channel partners and payers. The company serves more than 650 organizations, including innovative start-ups and established pharmaceutical companies, to advance life sciences solutions for a healthier world. To learn more about EVERSANA, visit eversana.com or connect through LinkedIn and X.

About EVERSANA INTOUCH
EVERSANA INTOUCH is a global, full-service marketing agency network serving the life sciences industry, and is the first – and only – agency network to be part of a fully integrated commercialization platform through EVERSANA®. EVERSANA INTOUCH provides marketing services – connected and powered by data-rich, digitally forward analytics – through its full-service and specialty affiliates: EVERSANA INTOUCH Solutions, EVERSANA INTOUCH Proto, EVERSANA INTOUCH Seven, EVERSANA INTOUCH Oxygen, EVERSANA INTOUCH Engage, EVERSANA INTOUCH Healthware, EVERSANA INTOUCH Tech & Transformation, EVERSANA INTOUCH Media, EVERSANA INTOUCH MedComm and EVERSANA INTOUCH Market Access. To learn more, visit eversanaintouch.com or connect through Facebook, LinkedIn, X, or Instagram.

MEDIA CONTACTS

EVERSANA
Matt Braun
Director, Corporate Communications
matt.braun@eversana.com

Antonietta Pannella
Director, Marketing & Communications
antonietta.pannella@eversana.com

SOURCE EVERSANA

The funding, led by Amaanah Circle, a Singapore-based health tech fund, includes investors like Epic Angels, Cross Fund, USAID, Augmentor, Impact Investment Exchange (IIX), and the Elahi group of companies.

Founded by Dr. Sara Saeed Khurram and Dr. Iffat Zafar Aga, Sehat Kahani offers virtual doctor-patient connections within 60 seconds, along with on-demand laboratory services and online medicine delivery. The support from USAID has been crucial for Sehat Kahani’s growth.

Dr. Sara Saeed Khurram views the funding as pivotal for their future, enabling the development of advanced features like decision support systems and predictive AI models.

Its Corporate Application offers hassle-free access to specialists for corporate employees and their families, while the Consumer Application operates in over 310 cities, providing affordable healthcare.

Dr. Iffat Zafar Aga notes its significant growth, with a 141% average year-on-year growth and a fivefold increase in consultations post-COVID. The funding will support Sehat Kahani’s global expansion plans.

Sehat Kahani, with its network of over 7,500 healthcare professionals, aims to bridge healthcare gaps and empower women in medicine with its innovative solutions.

We as leaders of life sciences organizations must ensure that our workforce possesses the necessary skills to navigate this evolving space and create working environments that enable our employees to meet the needs of our ever-changing industry. Though not a simple task, by identifying such skills and mindset, incorporating them into our organizations, and adapting as needed, we can foster innovation internally and allow for it to extend to our clients and the communities we serve.

Digital Literacy, Augmented Working and Capabilities that go Beyond AI

Mentioned by Forbes as one of The Top 10 In-Demand Skills for 2030, more than half of jobs will require digital literacy, and professionals that adapt well to advancements in technology and incorporate them into their daily tasks to create value, will be in high demand. And as AI and automation continuously develop across the life sciences industry, “augmented working“, which involves leveraging AI to eliminate repetitive tasks to enable individuals to concentrate on complex and innovative aspects of their roles, is set to become an indispensable skillset. In fact, as AI systems become more complex and sophisticated, thus will human intelligence. And while AI has an unprecedented range of activities, it can only be maximized with human creativity. Therefore, individuals with the ability to come up with new ideas and solutions and aren’t afraid to question the status quo will be instrumental to drive value.

With the increasing amount of information available to us, critical thinking skills, or the ability to identify valuable data and objectively analyze issues and situations, could be one of the most relevant capacities for leaders as they continue to sort through biases and fake news.

Fostering the Right Culture

It’s also vital to encourage a culture of lifelong learning, curiosity, and self-improvement. In this context, individuals should proactively seek new skills and stay updated on trends, particularly in the context of digital transformation processes. This approach aligns with the evolving nature of work and ensures that individuals remain adaptable in the face of constant change.

There is an increasing relevance in terms of sustainable working practices which brings into focus not only our impact on the environment, but also strategies for prioritizing employee well-being. It’s really about creating a healthy working environment to ensure that our people feel good where they are and that they can express their full potential.

Often times, companies are solely focused on the skills that their teams must acquire and often look past the key elements of change management and people management that must be assumed at an organizational level. In order to be truly successful in this space, we must bring our people along for the journey, considering how we can empower them to take us where we need to go. Whether through agile working, ongoing personal growth, or fostering an innovative culture, we can enable individuals to reach this potential.

Smart Working and Emotional Intelligence

Smart working extends beyond having the flexibility to work from wherever we find ourselves, representing a transformative approach which forces us to focus on why and what we need to achieve. It requires us to be 100% clear about the best way to tackle an objective and allows us the flexibility and responsibility of determining whether it will be maximized as a team in-person at the office or individually somewhere else. In any case, we will have to find a way to stay connected to our teams and colleagues.

For some years now, our personal and professional lives have steadily become more blended, necessitating a holistic approach to employee well-being. Further accelerated by the pandemic, successful managers require strong emotional intelligence more now than ever. Thus, it is a pivotal competency for leaders to enable workforces from a professional standpoint while also considering their personal challenges and their lives outside of work. A “work-self” and “personal-self” simply do not exist, and we must see individuals as a whole, eliminating this separation and encouraging personal growth that can flow into both spheres.

Within Healthware, we recognize and expect every member of our team to be changemakers, working together to build future health. Therefore, we strive to be there with them as they navigate the future of work. 

This article is part of the Innovation as Strategy series.

At the forefront of this evolution is Debiopharm Innovation Fund, a corporate venture fund within the Debiopharm Group. We explore the fund’s mission, recent initiatives, and insights gained at the Frontiers Health conference in Rome, where Nicole Raleigh met with Marc Cikes, Managing Director, and Tom Gibbs, Senior Investment Director.

Digital Solutions for Pharma R&D

Debiopharm Innovation Fund strategically positions itself as a key player in the digital health space, concentrating on digital solutions that span from late discovery to clinical trial technologies. Marc Cikes emphasized the fund’s commitment to innovation, especially in the oncology patient journey. With two compounds currently setting the standard in cancer treatment, Debiopharm leverages its expertise to invest in solutions that redefine the landscape of pharmaceutical research and development.

Seeding Innovation in Challenging Times

Despite economic challenges, Debiopharm Innovation Fund recently launched a seed initiative, a move that raised eyebrows in the investment landscape. Tom Gibbs sheds light on this strategic decision, highlighting the fund’s agility as a privately owned entity. The initiative aims to make numerous small investments rapidly, building a substantial portfolio that encompasses cutting-edge innovations at their early stages.

Strategic Alignment for Accelerated Innovation

As a strategic fund, Debiopharm Innovation Fund aligns its investment thesis closely with its core business objectives. The focus is not only on financial returns but also on investments that bring innovation into the Debiopharm Group. Tom Gibbs underscores the importance of accelerating the delivery of better treatments to patients, emphasizing the fund’s unique role in bridging traditional pharmaceutical approaches with the dynamic landscape of digital health.

Frontiers Health Conference Insights: Maturity and Realism in Digital Health Startups

The Frontiers Health conference, a prominent gathering in the digital health realm, provided a platform for Debiopharm Innovation Fund to observe and engage with the latest trends. Cikes notes a significant trend in the increased maturity of startups. Unlike in the early days, startups are now more pragmatic, considering regulatory, reimbursement, and adoption challenges early in their development. This realistic approach positions them for long-term success in an industry known for its complexity and conservatism.

Gibbs echoes these sentiments, emphasizing the impressive realism exhibited by startups, particularly on themes like artificial intelligence. The showcased products demonstrate a better fit with the actual conditions of the pharma and healthcare industry.

The Exciting Trajectory of Digital Health Innovation

The digital health ecosystem is maturing, and both Marc Cikes and Tom Gibbs express excitement about its current state and future trajectory. The commitment of startups to meaningful impact and their adaptability to industry conditions, especially in areas like artificial intelligence, indicate a promising future for digital health innovation.

Conclusion

In a landscape where the convergence of pharmaceuticals and digital innovation is paramount, Debiopharm Innovation Fund stands out as a catalyst for change. By strategically investing in digital solutions and aligning with its core business objectives, the fund contributes significantly to the ongoing transformation of the pharmaceutical industry. As healthcare continues its digital evolution, Debiopharm Innovation Fund’s role becomes increasingly vital, bridging the gap between tradition and innovation to drive positive outcomes for patients worldwide.

Against the backdrop of a rainy day in Rome, they follow his plenary keynote “Dosis sola facit venenum ‘only the dose makes the poison’” delving into how the dosage of medicine not only impacts healing but also influences toxicity.

They discussed the need for a paradigm shift, where technology and data are combined to refine and optimize medications.

At the intersection of technology and healthcare. With limited time for physicians and varying degrees of patient engagement, Yadi envisions a solution for the democratization of care through technology.

The combination of drugs and software holds immense potential. By translating the intricate interplay between patients and physicians into scalable software, accessible through patient-facing apps, the goal is to align technology with drug regimens. This alignment aims to enhance therapeutic efficacy for each individual, fostering a more tailored and effective healthcare experience.

A forward-looking perspective. Yadi envisions a future where collective efforts within the industry could crack the code of the existing business model.

This interview encapsulates an exploration of the current challenges and future possibilities within the realm of digital health.

Hakim Yadi’s insights provide a compelling narrative regarding the need for a personalized approach to medication and the transformative role technology can play in reshaping the future of healthcare.

CHICAGO & SALERNO, Italy – 11 October 2023 – EVERSANA, a leading provider of global commercial services to the life sciences industry, today announced the acquisition of Healthware Group, a full-service agency and innovation consultancy headquartered in Salerno, Italy. The acquisition immediately expands EVERSANA’s European operations and worldwide capabilities to help pharmaceutical, medical device, and emerging biotech companies globally launch products, expand market access, or solve unique geographic and market-specific challenges.

Today’s announcement is the next remarkable step in our journey to reinvent commercialisation by effectively integrating what we believe to be the best service providers around the world,” said Jim Lang, CEO, EVERSANA. “Gone are the days of siloed, ineffective operations or regional strategies. Our clients need global strategy and integrated commercial services balanced with the right in-market expertise. And now with an even stronger global agency powerhouse connected to EVERSANA’s full commercial ecosystem, we are advancing our commitment to provide clients with unmatched support for brands worldwide.

Healthware to seamlessly integrate with EVERSANA INTOUCH; shifting from established joint venture to scaled global operation

With more than 150 employees and multiple offices across Italy, Finland, and the United Kingdom, Healthware will seamlessly merge with EVERSANA’s global agency network, EVERSANA INTOUCH. The two award-winning agency networks have had a long-standing relationship since 2017 when Healthware signed a joint venture agreement with Intouch Group, which was later acquired by EVERSANA in 2021.

Healthware Group and EVERSANA INTOUCH have had a long and successful partnership dating back many years and spanning Europe, Asia Pacific, and North America. Our companies share a common culture and vision, and together, we are already leveraging the power of digital and technology solutions to deliver global brand impact and transform stakeholder engagement and patient care,” said Roberto Ascione, CEO of Healthware Group. “With this merger, we will become a formidable force in the market, providing services well beyond a traditional agency network, which is why this merger was so compelling to us. We look forward to serving both new and existing clients with an expanded set of commercialisation services and to continue to lead the transformation of the life sciences industry and beyond.

Founded by Ascione, Healthware has provided marketing, advisory, customer engagement and media services, medical communications and education, and advanced technology capabilities for over 25 years. Those services will integrate into EVERSANA INTOUCH’s full-service, global healthcare agency network – led by Faruk Capan, CEO, EVERSANA INTOUCH and Chief Innovation Officer, EVERSANA. The expanded global agency network will leverage its combined roots in digital innovation to “pharmatize” the power of AI in marketing. The network’s strength in innovation matched with world-class omni, data, and media capabilities provide the basis of modern, authentic, and differentiated healthcare brands.

As part of the acquisition, Healthware’s flagship global events, media and publishing divisions, including the annual Frontiers Health conference and pharmaphorum, healthcare and pharmaceutical industry news, insight and debate, will be owned and operated by EVERSANA.

With the acquisition complete, Ascione is joining the EVERSANA global leadership team effective immediately. EVERSANA and Healthware Group leadership will have a joint presence at Healthware’s signature event, Frontiers Health 2023, held 8-10 November in Rome. Financial details of the acquisition are not being disclosed.

Reed Jobs, the 31-year-old son of Apple’s co-founder Steve Jobs and philanthropist Laurene Powell Jobs, is making headlines with his new venture capital endeavor focused on revolutionizing cancer treatment.
His firm, ‘Yosemite‘, named after the famous national park where his parents got married, has already closed its first fund at an impressive $200 million.
With the support of renowned institutions like MIT and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, as well as experienced investor John Doerr, Yosemite is poised to have a significant impact on medical innovation.

We’re on a mission to lead the next chapter in the fight against cancer,” Reed Jobs said, “forming our standalone entity gives us the flexibility to best drive great ideas to scale.

This venture carries a deep personal meaning for Reed Jobs, as the passing of his father to pancreatic cancer in 2011 motivated him to seek new ways of combatting the disease. Previously studying to become a physician, Reed shifted his focus to history after the loss. In 2004, he joined his mother to form Emerson Collective, through which he engaged in impact investing and philanthropic endeavors.

I had never ever wanted to be a venture capitalist,” Reed Jobs told the New York Times’ Dealbook. “But I realized that when you’re actually incubating something and putting it together, you can make a tremendous difference in what assets are part of that, what direction it’s going to take, and what the scientific focus is going to be.

Yosemite emerges as an offshoot of Emerson Collective, with Reed Jobs, formerly the managing director of health within the organization, now extending his mission through this new venture. While Yosemite will operate as a for-profit entity, it will also maintain a donor-advised fund, allowing for grant funding to support scientists and innovative research in the field of cancer treatment.

By nurturing innovation and actively participating in the commercialization of groundbreaking discoveries, Yosemite aims to generate scientific advancements and potential financial returns.
Reed Jobs’ move into venture capital and medical innovation not only honors his father’s legacy but also paves the way for transformative breakthroughs in cancer treatment that can benefit patients and medical professionals alike.