The life science sector is one of strong growth and while seeing significant changes to its past business models and customer demands, it is a sector with vast opportunities for digitalisation. We interviewed our life science expert, Youjie Zhang, for his thoughts on the life science sector, its future, how he will help inspire a sustainable change and much more.
Why did you decide to join Monstarlab?
I am a firm believer that “we can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them”. Therefore, as I in 2020 was looking for an organisation which could bring new insights and know-how across industries in the new digital era and in which I could contribute with my extensive project and product management expertise from the life science sector, Monstarlab, – or Nodes as we were called back then, was a great option.
With our rich experience, special focus on the life science sector, and unique combination of UX and digital development competences, Monstarlab is an exciting company to join.
What is your role and primary focus?
I am the Delivery Director of digital projects for life science companies. My primary focus is to inspire life science clients and help them build solutions for the next generations, supported by my talented colleagues.
With Monstarlab’s more than 2200 successful digital projects in the suitcase, our clients don’t have to reinvent the wheel, and we don’t necessarily have to “think out of box”. We just need to think outside the life science building and get inspired by other industries; That will benefit the life science companies tremendously. Along with this, I make sure we deliver Monstarlab’s service as promised, so that our clients truly benefit from our great customer experience.
What characterises the life science sector at the moment?
The life science sector is on the learning curve on how to adapt to the new digital world. Many companies have started their own innovation labs or initiatives and, based on their industry knowledge, they are trying new ways, digital ways, to engage with their stakeholders, both internally and externally. Innovation projects span widely, from digitising internal business administration processes, drug development, clinical trials, manufacturing, supply chain, marketing, and medical devices, to different digital technologies. This is also strongly supported by regulators and governments.
Yet, there is a very unique characteristic in life science from the patients’ perspective. Not a single person would like to have any health issues, and no one, including their family, would prefer to engage further with their health issues if they could avoid that. It’s not about the digital product, it’s about knowing the patient and improving their experience towards better health and a normal life.
Looking into the crystal ball, what will happen to the life science sector in the future?
As William Gibson said, “the future is already here — it’s just not very evenly distributed”. In this digital world, the life science sector is no exception. The trend is that the companies who are winning through exceeding expectations, who are leveraging digital technologies to offer personalised multi-channel interaction with their customers (internal employees, HCPs, patients, patients family, communities, etc.) and who are creating better customer experiences, will have a sustainable business.
CX is the telescope to see the “future”; Design Thinking is the “how”.
Previous employment
Program Manager, Novo Nordisk
Project Manager, NNE
Education
MSc in Computer Systems Engineering
