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The transformation of a pharma company

A Kronos Group case study

A biotech company with a global presence and headquarters based in Europe, our client was a pharma company that innovates and develops small molecule medicines with the aim of creating breakthrough treatments for unmet medical needs.

Key transformations

The client went from a RIPCO—engaged in early stages of pharmaceutical discovery and development to a FIPCO—engaged in the entire value-driven cycle from pharmaceutical development to commercialisation

Launched 5 new offices in prime business hubs on a 6-month timeline and key positions filled

Established 5 operational companies and corporate frameworks in a 3-month timeframe

Created central and local support organisations in all 5 locations within 9 months

Obtained distribution licences in all 5 countries

The client’s aims

When the client first approached Kronos Group to drive their transformation, it had a few key areas in mind.

The goals they were aiming to achieve through their transformation were to:

Establish its operations in five key European markets. Namely, France, Spain, the UK, Germany,
 and Italy.

Add resilience to internal processes and build the support structures to become an integrated, complete commercial pharma company.

Strengthen coordination with the commercial teams rooted in its headquarters and their affiliates for smoother launch planning.

With the client having just completed a $5 billion partnership with another major pharmaceutical company; a timeline of just one year until its first product was set to enter the market, and an established presence in only Belgium and Netherlands, the transformation that was needed was vast.

Kronos Group’s solution

Here at Kronos Group, our specialisation extends across the procurement, finance, and project management fields. The transformations we create offer an integrated approach to these fields and aim to strategically meet short and long-term company goals and objectives.  

For the purposes of our client’s transformation and the coordination required to maintain quality and delivery across the intended geographical scope, Kronos Group followed our areas of experience to establish an integrated transformation.

With the project scaling from just 2 consultants to 5 consultants at the peak of the project, on top of off-site expert support when it was necessary, the Kronos Group team was able to create results that exceeded initial aims.

Procurement, finance, and project management scope

The procurement and finance functions were at play to support on-the-ground execution of operations and bring about transformation.

Meanwhile, the project management arm was in place to structure and ensure coordination and seamless communication between teams.

  • Providing end-to-end support

From flagging urgencies and consolidating workstreams to ensuring integrated planning, execution, and coordination with external regulators—every step of the project was governed and executed by Kronos Group’s team before the final handover to local teams once each function reached maturity.

  • Creating portals for specific objectives

To ensure that our client reached the objectives they had set, Kronos Group developed specific web portals for each stage in the journey of their product—from the pre-launch portal designed to raise awareness to the final stage of building out and supporting value-added initiatives.

  • Ensuring continuous improvement

Our approach to our client’s transformation is one of continuous improvement. That is why our process involved steps through which issues were captured, improvements were made, and standardisation was achieved.

  • Providing localised support

Through our operations across Europe, Kronos Group teams leveraged the geographical specialisation they have developed through their years of experience and the networks they have formed to ensure a smooth transition for our client.

This was especially critical due to the accelerated timeline in place and the speed at which the client wished to establish itself across several locations.