Chugai Pharma Germany: faster time-to-market for digital services through a streamlined innovation process

Values at a glance:  

• The implementation of a fast and lean approach enables an early and cost-effective hypothesis validation and streamlined decision-making. 

• Development of a comprehensive innovation management system, enhances Chugai Pharma Germany's strategic focus and positions them as an innovation leader. 

• The establishment of a clear innovation strategy accelerates the time-to-market and strengthens collaboration with internal and external healthcare partners. 

Chugai Pharma Germany, a leading pharmaceutical company, is dedicated to offering digital products and services beyond its established drug portfolio. In line with this commitment, the company partnered with Zühlke aiming to accelerate its digital health solution development efforts. 

Initially, Zühlke took over a vital role in consolidating Chugai Pharma Germany’s product vision and developing strategic options for innovative digital services. After this initial phase, both partners defined and implemented a holistic system for digital innovation management. Subsequently, Zühlke supported Chugai Pharma Germany in leveraging this system to transform new ideas into validated concepts by executing a fast and lean approach for efficient decision-making. This collaboration has positioned the company at the forefront of digital healthcare advances. 

Developing the five core dimensions of innovation

Working in tandem, Zühlke and Chugai Pharma Germany developed the innovation management system along five essential dimensions: 

1. Innovation vision and strategy: we crafted a clear and focused direction for digital innovation. 

2. Offering and services: we identified the digital products and services aligned with strategic goals. 

3. Organisation and processes: we streamlined internal structures and workflows to drive collaboration and efficiency. 

4. Partner ecosystem: our team helped cultivate partnerships and leveraging external expertise for enhanced innovation capabilities. 

5. Methods: we implemented proven methodologies and best practices to guide innovation projects. 

Parallel to system development, Zühlke facilitated knowledge enrichment for the innovation team through workshops, lectures, and training conducted by industry experts in digital health. 

Achieving rapid time-to-market and better collaboration

Within a span of just nine months, Chugai Pharma Germany observed significant results. They established a clear innovation strategy and approach for projects, with defined business goals for transparent success measurement and expectation management. Additionally, the company achieved faster time-to-market for their digital innovation initiatives. 

The collaboration with internal departments and the German health system was also significantly strengthened. This helped foster closer relationships with colleagues and external healthcare partners, furthering Chugai Pharma Germany's position as an innovation leader. 

Efficient evaluation and decision-making

To prioritise innovation ideas effectively, the team engaged in co-development with patients, striking a balance between patient needs, business objectives, and feasibility. It also defined the business model, crafted a comprehensive project plan, and prepared a management presentation for the executive council's go/no-go decision. 

Executing a fast and lean approach

With Zühlke's support, Chugai Pharma Germany successfully implemented a fast and lean approach, swiftly transforming innovation ideas into validated concepts. This approach featured early and cost-effective hypothesis validation by healthcare professionals and patients, allowing for the efficient termination of low-potential ideas. Standardised concepts facilitated high comparability and enabled streamlined evaluation and decision-making by the executive council. 

As a result of this streamlined innovation process, Chugai Pharma Germany effectively accelerated their digital health innovations, bringing market-ready solutions closer to realisation. By leveraging Zühlke's expertise, Chugai Pharma Germany stands at the forefront of digital healthcare advances.