Title

AWS re:Invent 2022 - Best practices for cloud-native transformation in healthcare (PRT206)

Summary

• Panelists Introduction: The panel consists of Matt Rich from PWC, Brooks Fowler from AbbVie, Tim Coleman from Eli Lilly and Company, Wes Barnes from Pfizer, and Nicole Quash from Gilead. Each panelist holds a significant role in their respective organizations, focusing on cloud and digital transformation in the pharmaceutical and life sciences sectors.

• Cloud-native Solutions: The panelists discuss their experiences with cloud-native solutions and how these have accelerated innovation and business outcomes. Tim Coleman highlights the importance of speed in delivering new medicines, while Wes Barnes emphasizes Pfizer's shift to cloud technologies to maintain the pace of innovation post-COVID-19. Nicole Quash talks about patient-centric innovation, and Brooks Fowler discusses the need for cloud-native technologies to handle the increased data from decentralized clinical trials.

• Patient Experience and ROI: The panelists explore the impact of cloud technologies on patient experience and the challenge of measuring ROI. Tim Coleman is interested in patient experience as a key differentiator, while Brooks Fowler explains how cloud technologies can ease the burden of clinical trials on patients. Wes Barnes and Nicole Quash discuss the importance of improving patient experience and reaching diverse patient populations.

• Cloud Strategy: Nicole Quash shares Gilead's approach to using a combination of off-the-shelf and cloud-native solutions, while Tim Coleman discusses Lilly's shift towards cloud-native development for automation and advanced analytics. Wes Barnes talks about Pfizer's focus on modernizing key business processes and leveraging common platforms across the enterprise.

• Talent Acquisition and Retention: The panelists address the challenges of finding, retaining, and attracting cloud engineering talent. Nicole Quash mentions Gilead's efforts in reskilling staff and hiring new talent, while Wes Barnes and Tim Coleman discuss the importance of meaningful work and continuous learning. Brooks Fowler highlights the need for critical thinking and technology fluency in the clinical data management domain.

Insights

• Speed and Agility: The panelists consistently emphasize the importance of speed and agility in the pharmaceutical industry, enabled by cloud-native solutions. The ability to accelerate processes from months to days is a game-changer for drug development and patient care.

• Patient-Centric Focus: There is a strong focus on improving the patient experience through cloud technologies. This includes easing the burden of clinical trials, reaching diverse patient populations, and developing digital medicines.

• Combination of Solutions: Organizations are adopting a mix of off-the-shelf and custom-built cloud-native solutions, depending on the specific needs and problems they aim to solve.

• Advanced Analytics and Automation: There is a clear trend towards leveraging advanced analytics and automation, including AI and machine learning, to gain insights and improve operational efficiencies.

• Talent Management: Attracting and retaining cloud engineering talent is a critical concern. Companies are investing in continuous learning and development opportunities to keep their workforce engaged and up-to-date with the latest cloud technologies.

• Industry Collaboration: The panelists' discussion suggests a collaborative approach within the industry, with companies learning from each other's experiences and challenges in cloud-native transformation.