Health IT, Pharma

Is health tech the next career chapter for departing Novartis CEO?

The idea of a pharma CEO moving into health tech seems like a much more logical move these days, given how much the lines have blurred between the technology and pharma sectors.

Joseph Jimenez, Novartis CEO

As Joseph Jimenez, the CEO of Novartis, prepares to leave a role he has held since 2010 next year, his next career move could be a job in health tech. In an interview with Forbes, Jiminez said he’s interested in the Silicon Valley and is intrigued by startups who understand healthcare and are using technology to help repair the broken system.

“When I think of what really excites me, it’s where biology comes together with technology, like when you think about what’s happening right now in the Valley in California.”

He added:

“The thing that needs to be fixed is the inefficiency in the U.S. healthcare system. This is a system that is going to implode based on the burden of disease, for instance, Alzheimer’s disease. How are we going to pay for the innovation that’s coming?” Jimenez asks. His answer: “The only way is to get rid of the inefficiency in the system. That’s where I see digital technology starting to have a significant impact.”

It would not be such a huge leap for Jimenez, as Novartis is no stranger to collaborating with and investing in technology companies. Earlier this year Novartis and Propeller Health agreed to collaborate on connected inhalers to monitor COPD patients using inhalers from Novartis. Last year the pharma company teamed up with Microsoft Kinect to develop an assessment tool to improve the way patients with multiple sclerosis are evaluated on standard tests. The pharma company teamed up with Qualcomm Life to use mobile tools in clinical trials through its Trials of the Future program. It also formed a joint venture with Qualcomm called dRx Capital, to invest in promising technology companies. Clinical trial innovator Science 37, bioelectronics business Cala Health as well as Omada Health are listed in dRx Capital’s portfolio.

Jimenez’s outlook reflects just how connected the worlds of health tech and pharma have become.

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