Our idea of digital health ecosystems and their potential to deliver value to all stakeholders involved, is changing. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the need to improve remote care, engagement tools and interconnectivity, which are all necessary to support a functioning digital ecosystem. In this opinion piece, we touch upon the basic components of a Digital Health Ecosystem and how it can be optimised with health technology. Content overview: What is a Digital Health Ecosystem? Why Do We Need Digital Health Ecosystems? The Pros and Cons The Potential Digital Health Ecosystems to Watch Download here: https://velametis.com/the-potential-of-a-digital-health-ecosystem/

1. Insight. Strategy. Results.
Collaborating with you on journey to success in digital healthcare.
The Potential of a Digital Health
Ecosystem

2. What is a Digital Health Ecosystem?
An interconnected infrastructure that enables cross-functional, multidisciplinary and
collaborative healthcare delivery
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MedTech or Tech
Payers
Providers (Hospitals,
pharmacies, HCPs, etc…)
Pharma
Digital platform(s)
All stakeholders within a digital health
ecosystem can be connected to each
other by one or more digital platforms
via the internet or Bluetooth.
Patients/ users
IoT
(Internet of Things)
Internet (5G use to be
widespread in ~5 years)
Bluetooth

3. Why Do We Need Digital Health Ecosystems?
To optimise patient care by adding value to activities of all stakeholders involved
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• To lessen burden on healthcare
infrastructure
• To manage diseases remotely and
efficiently, especially chronic diseases
• To support engagement with HCPs at
their convenience
• To support data-driven treatment (e.g. data
analyses  algorithm development  digital
therapeutics)
• To move from curative to prevention models
• To improve R&D and treatment delivery
• To create and support value-driven care
• To lower cost of healthcare leading to
economic sustainability
Development of digital metrics and data
exchange could support discussions
around value of treatment.
• To personalise and
improve care
• To empower patients –
remote care may lead to
maintained QoL

4. The Pros and Cons
A digital health ecosystem can add value to a product but requires early investment
and a robust digital healthcare infrastructure
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+
-
Builds customer loyalty and
promotes engagement
Digital security requires
continuous improvement
Difficult to develop and implement
Requires the “buy-in” of all
stakeholders involved
Requires highly skilled workforce
for maintenance
Data generated can add value
and create new revenue streams
Creates a hub where stakeholders
use MedTech’s or Pharma’s tools
Reduced burden on healthcare
infrastructure
All digital tools and platforms must
be compatible and easy to use
Positive outcomes can be
measured and improved on
Low future R&D costs as digital
healthcare becomes personalised
Companies may need to support
digital infrastructure development

5. The Potential
Digital platforms can be the “glue” that keeps the ecosystem functioning however
content needs to be customised to address the needs of each stakeholder
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Pharma could develop data metrics in
collaboration with payers to justify value of
products and facilitate access/reimbursement.
Insurers could access direct feedback
and data from patients to support
pricing negotiations with Pharma.
Pharma could leverage Tech’s
expertise to develop impactful
platforms and digital therapeutics.
Providers and patients/users
could communicate and
exchange data.
Tech and Pharma could support
care providers and strengthen
healthcare infrastructure.
Data could be gathered and
analysed by Tech and Pharma to
support disease management and
optimise R&D.
Insurers could access direct feedback
and data from providers to support
pricing negotiations with Pharma.
Some of the relationships described above are already in place however, there is a need to
streamline, improve services and minimise the number of tools used by all stakeholders.
A digital ecosystem can be enriched
by AI and Blockchain technology.

6. 6
Digital Health Ecosystems
could be developed and
driven by Pharma and/or Tech

7. Digital Health Ecosystems to Watch
The trend: Pharma, Medtech/ Tech and consulting firms are collaborating to develop
digital health ecosystems
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Pharma
MedTech/
Tech
Other Therapeutic Area Description
Diabetes
Roche acquired mySugr and created a collaboration with consulting
firm Accenture in 2017 to support an open digital management
ecosystem.
Roche integrated mySugr with the existing Accu-Chek tools and the
solution is compatible with 130+ diabetes management devices.
See more
Multiple
Sanofi is collaborating with telecommunications giant Orange,
consulting and digital transformation company Capgemini and
insurance firm Generali to develop solutions to support the first e-
health ecosystem in the EU.
See more
N/A
• Cardiometabolic
and renal diseases
• Oncology
• Women’s health
Bayer is collaborating with five startups through its G4A Digital Health
Partnerships Programme to develop a digital health ecosystem
• Caria (A data and AI company focusing on Women’s Health)
• Elly Health (A digital startup focusing on personalised audio
content for chronic diseases)
• Decipher Biosciences (A startup which is offering genomic tests
and is building a database to identify biomarkers)
• Sweetch (A disease management platform which uses AI)
• MyONCARE (A medical device platform which provides a holistic
view of patients’ wellbeing and connects them to care specialists)
See more
Acquired by Roche
in 2017

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