Pioneers in dialogue
Danish innovation delegation visits Pfizer Healthcare Hub
How is digitalization changing the role of the life science industry? What are the big challenges, what potential is there? And above all: What can we learn from each other? As part of the "Danish Life Sciences Days", a Danish life sciences delegation visited the Pfizer Healthcare Hub in its office in Berlin. The hub presented its projects and discussed digital innovations and the digitalization of the life science industry with the Danish representatives.
Current developments in the German healthcare sector such as the "Digitale Versorungsgesetz" (DVG) or the "Krankenhauszukunftsgesetz" (KHZG) are ensuring an ongoing drive in the German healthcare system and creating incentives to further digitalize and personalize patient care – this is the central field of activity of the Pfizer Healthcare Hub Berlin: In cooperation with innovators, the Hub develops innovative solutions for improved patient care. As Germany is the second largest export market for the Danish life sciences industry, these developments also represent a great opportunity for Danish pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers. At the same time, Denmark is considered one of the most advanced countries in the world in terms of healthcare and digitalization. To have a dialogue on the potentials, opportunities and challenges of the digitalization of the healthcare sector, the Pfizer Healthcare Hub welcomed around 30 Danish visitors from business and politics in its office in Berlin on Tuesday, October 11.
The former Danish Minister of Defence and Vice President of the Danish Chamber of Commerce, Gitte Lillelund Bech, opened the afternoon: "On behalf of the Chamber of Commerce, I would like to thank Pfizer very much for the Life Science Days in Berlin. We would like to discuss the digitalization of the healthcare sector with them. All participants are part of the healthcare sector in Denmark and we are very much looking forward to the exchange on such an important topic." Jakob Skaarup Nielsen, CEO of Healthcare Denmark, added: "In our experience, the best digital solutions are developed in strong partnerships!" From the business side, senior managers, CEOs and directors of Coloplast, Novo Pharma, Enversion, Novo Nordisk, Orifarm, Pentabase, Radiobotics, Area 9 Innovation, Viskon and Abelló were present.
Pfizer Healthcare Hub as contact for Digital Health Solutions
"The visit puts Pfizer's digital strategy further on the agenda of relevant players in the digital healthcare industry," says Maja Hoock, who took over the management of the Berlin Healthcare Hub in October 2022. Peter Neske, Innovation Lead at the Healthcare Hub Freiburg added: "In view of the large number of exciting pharmaceutical companies, we are particularly pleased that this top-class delegation has chosen Pfizer as its discussion partner. We take this as a compliment for our commitment to the innovation ecosystems."
Improved patient journey through collaboration between startups and Pfizer experts
Pfizer's Director Customer Operations, Thorsten Mintel, emphasized the importance of the Pfizer Healthcare Hubs in his presentation: "The Pfizer Healthcare Hubs are central to achieve Pfizer's digital goals. New players such as start-ups are shaping the healthcare system of the future. Our collaborations between innovators and Pfizer are win-win situations." The aim is to find ways at eye level to improve the patient journey within the framework of Pfizer's expertise. A model example of this is the Pfizer Healthcare Hub's sales partnership with the Danish startup Cortrium to distribute the C3⁺ Holter Monitor, a long-term wireless ECG.
Judith Niehaus from the Danish Consulate General commented on her visit to Pfizer: "The team of experts around the Pfizer Healthcare Hub showed us how Pfizer is using the opportunities of digitalization to shape the healthcare of the future. In particular, the insights into DiGAs and the discussion on cooperation models were valuable for us."
In addition to the insights into the digitalization of the German healthcare industry, the digital strategy at Pfizer and the role of the two Pfizer Healthcare Hubs, the Danish way of digitalization was also discussed again and again. This resulted in a inspiring and multifaceted dialogue for all parties with new impulses, insights and perspectives for the digitalization of the life science industry. Our team of the Pfizer Healthcare Hub is looking forward to continue and deepen the discussion at the right opportunity!
