Hi Else Beth, how nice of you to take the time to let us interview you.
You have worked for a long time in the area of Life Science. How did that begin? It started with BioTech studies, in the area of immunology. That was very interesting at the time. Eventually, I continued my studies and went to Business school. In fact, I have now been in the Life Science industry for 30 years – incredible, when you think about it. Nowadays, I work with board of directors, management, diagnostics and MedTech on all continents around the globe.
In the nearest future Else Beth, what is on your assignment list?I’m on the board of directors for Atlas Antibodies, and in addition, I am advisor for many companies within MedTech and Life Science. Previously, I was the CEO for Euro Diagnostica and that is of course where I got to know you at Anchor Management.
Considering BioTech, which is close to your heart, as I understand it – what is the industry facing? Obviously, Biotech is an essential part of diagnostics and everything that happens there today. For instance, how to perform diagnostics remotely – away from the hospital, but close to the everyday life of the patient – and how to do this in an optimal way from the patient’s perspective. And the most important question – how to do this to the same high-quality standards. Those are the main questions that need to be addressed already now, says Else Beth.
This is also related to another exciting area – What we call health economics. I.e. economy for society– work and functions to optimize the entire society from a Life Science perspective. For instance, the time period a patient is away from work, or if there are synergy effects on which one could capitalize. The first question is what could be moved into the home or the work place, and how this could happen. Holistical economics, in a way. Here there are plenty of opportunities for a win-win, the way I see it.
What is required to make this work, according to you? To make this work, other processes are needed. Flexible interfaces, resulting in what I want to call convenience. Convenience is the key expression today, since we need to create systems for better diagnostics, with requirements on functionality, usability and feedback. It is a new discipline, which we see emerge rapidly. It includes training the patient, many patients. We need to build trust – a difficult task, which obviously doesn’t happen by itself. Consider that this concerns all staff, that will use new processes and understand new ways of thinking and new opportunities.
Else Beth, exemplify that, so that I can understand. Yes, consider analyses and measurements. There, we mention quality of life a great deal. For instance, if you are suffering from a chronical intestinal disease. In that case, it is of course a great benefit of measurements, monitoring, and analysis can occur more frequently, almost without anyone taking notice. Data is transmitted through the mobile, immediate response. Of course, this leads to an increased quality of life for the patient.
A completely different question. Else Beth, being from Copenhagen, what do you see as positive in a Nordic collaboration. To generalize, Swedes are well trained in discussing and debating at such a level that new ideas can be generated. Something that is essential in my domain. Danes want to get to the end result. They contribute with their energy, in short, dare to put their chin out. In collaboration, you travel quickly. This, in cooperation with open minded Swedes, contributing with their input, the mix becomes considerably more that the separate parts. Just consider the example from my region, the Öresund Bridge. As soon as it was there, a fantastic dynamic was created with new opportunities to innovation, new views of the value chain – very interesting to partake in.
One last question. What’s on your nightstand right now? I am a boat owner, so right now an exciting book about meteorology. Clouds, winds, why they arise and how it all ties together. But even more exciting and interesting for our future in the world and in business is the book “Monsoon”, written by the visionary Robert D. Kaplan. I really recommend that you read it! Thank you, Else Beth, we look forward to our cooperation.
