Real projects - real outcomes.
Here is a selection of the work I have done across Digital healthcare, Pharma Marketing , and Executive Leadership - from pioneering product launches to building organisations through change.
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Digital Healthcare
Digital Companion launch together with Pharma partners
At Sidekick Health, we built and launched digital companion apps in Atopic Dermatitis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Breast Cancer — in partnership with global pharma companies. I co-created go-to-market strategies and launch plans with partner teams across multiple EU markets, and led execution on the ground. User adoption was tracked as a core KPI and continuously improved throughout the launch cycle.
What this demonstrates: End-to-end pharma partnership management, multi-market launch execution, digital health commercialisation.
EMA approved Rx+DTx Launch in Asthma - Novartis & Propeller Health
Novartis and Propeller Health co-developed a digital companion for the Breezhaler portfolio. Enerzair Breezhaler became the first product approved by the EMA with an integrated digital companion. I led the strategic partnership across cross-divisional teams on both sides — delivering the sensor and app, contributing to the EMA submission, and coordinating the pioneering launch as a lighthouse digital project at Novartis.
What this demonstrates: Regulatory-grade digital health partnerships, pharma-startup collaboration at the highest level, global and local launch coordination.
pDTx (DiGA) launch in ADHD - MEDICE
MEDICE developed and launched the first DiGA in ADHD — a digital parent training for families of children with ADHD. As Interim Marketing Director, I led the full launch preparation: brand strategy for hiToco, market research, launch planning, and all pre-launch promotional activities. The launch event received exceptional feedback from customers and the medical community.
What this demonstrates: Interim marketing leadership, DiGA launch expertise, patient-centric brand building.
EU Market Entry Strategy - Cancer Platform
I advised an American startup running a cancer community platform on their European expansion — including the acquisition of a German cancer DTx and the development of a market entry strategy for the EU.
What this demonstrates: Strategic advisory for US startups entering European markets, digital health M&A support.
Hybrid Ecosystem for Respiratory Patients - LoveXair Foundation
As part of the Lovexair Foundation, I contributed to building a validated hybrid ecosystem delivering clinical and social care for citizens with respiratory diseases. Lovexair partners with EHTEL and HIMSS and actively shapes the European Health Data Space (EHDS) debate.
What this demonstrates: Patient-centric ecosystem design, non-profit digital health leadership, European policy engagement.
COPD Exacerbation Risk Prediction - Novartis
AC/DC: Diagnostic Algorithm - Novartis
At Novartis, I oversaw the development, testing and patenting of an AI/ML-enabled algorithm allowing physicians to perform differential diagnosis of asthma and COPD. The AC-DC algorithm was developed with oversight from GOLD and GINA guideline committees and demonstrated superior diagnostic accuracy compared to standard clinical assessment.
What this demonstrates: AI/ML product development in pharma, clinical collaboration, IP development.
I led the development of a predictive algorithm to identify COPD patients at risk of an upcoming exacerbation — with the goal of reducing hospitalisations and healthcare costs. This included developing the business model for commercialisation in the US market.
What this demonstrates: Predictive health analytics, business model design for AI-based products.
Altys: Asthma Virtual Health Assistant - Novartis & Lovexair & Observia
Together with the Lovexair Foundation, I co-developed Altys — a virtual health assistant for asthma patients focused on treatment adherence and sustainable behaviour change. The product was built around the SPUR behavioural diagnostic framework and designed for specific patient personas.
What this demonstrates: Behaviour science-led product design, patient engagement, cross-sector collaboration.
Mobile Spirometry Distribution - NuvoAir & Novartis
Novartis distributed NuvoAir's AirSmart mobile spirometry technology to physicians worldwide to address the unmet need for accessible lung function testing in respiratory patients.
What this demonstrates: Medtech-pharma partnership, global distribution strategy, respiratory care.
Pharma Marketing
Drug Launches - Building Commercial Success Across Markets & Disease Areas
Over two decades in pharma, I have led or contributed to drug launches in Germany, Malaysia, and across European and Asian markets — covering inhaled asthma and COPD products, heart failure, and digital companion co-launches. Roles ranged from Brand Director and Business Franchise Head to Asian Cluster Lead and Global Head of Digital Solutions.
Across these launches, I developed go-to-market and portfolio strategies, led cross-functional teams, and built market access approaches including commercial partnerships for generic defense at loss of exclusivity.
What this demonstrates: Multi-market launch leadership, portfolio strategy, cross-functional team management.
Commercial Projects - Campaigns, Partnerships, and Patient Engagement
Beyond launches, I led a range of commercial initiatives: P&L management for drug portfolios, customer and scientific events, differentiated promotional campaigns (including Faces of COPD), and patient-facing initiatives such as Lauffeuer für COPD — a step-counting campaign raising awareness for COPD patients. I also established a digital patient council to co-develop digital health solutions with patients from the ground up.
What this demonstrates: Full commercial leadership, patient engagement programmes, integrated campaign development.
Executive Leadership
Senior Executive Track Record
30 years as a senior life science executive across corporate pharma, healthcare startups, and consulting — with consistent responsibility for P&L, cross-functional leadership (marketing, sales, medical, digital, regulatory, market access, finance), and global and regional teams. Also active as Board Observer and mentor.
Interim Management
Interim CEO — Healthcare Startup (MEDICE)
Brought in during a period of fundamental organisational change, I managed the transition of a digital health startup into the MEDICE organisation. I developed a revised portfolio strategy, reduced the monthly run rate, restructured the team, and sharpened role profiles to create a leaner, more focused organisation.
"In a time of fundamental change for our portfolio company, Susanne was a very effective communicator and key to keeping the team focused on its core mission." — Philipp Große, Managing Director, MediVentures GmbH
What this demonstrates: Crisis leadership, organisational restructuring, startup-corporate integration.
Interim Marketing Director - pDTx Launch (MEDICE)
Led the launch team and full launch preparation for the first DiGA in ADHD, operating across a combined global and local marketing function.
What this demonstrates: Interim leadership in complex matrix organisations, launch readiness.
© IGNITED VISION by Susanne Gruber 2026