Read the Conversation
Meeting highlights:
- Eisai establishing commercial offices in 2024 in SA.
- Fatima de Castro launched the Eisai subsidiary in South Africa, furthering the company’s commitment to the African region.
- Eisai’s priorities: a holistic approach to health to generate long-term social impact.
- Eisai’s portfolio: market leader in neurology and oncology, and upcoming new products.
- Eisai’s long-standing commitment to Africa: working with WHO for disease awareness, research collaboration to address Malaria in Kenya, and partnership with DNDi and other leading stakeholders to drive the health agenda forward.
- Eisai’s Human Healthcare Philosophy (hhc): patient-centred corporate philosophy, guiding the company’s mission and operations.
- Digital transformation: Eisai promotes strategic partnerships to incorporate digital technologies and improve access.
- The importance of having a diverse and inclusive company culture.
EF: Could you elaborate on your role in Eisai in Africa and your footprint?
FC: It was a great honor to spearhead Eisai Pharmaceuticals' entry into South Africa. Eisai Pharmaceuticals, a globally recognized research and development-driven pharmaceutical company, has been headquartered in Japan since its establishment in 1941. Our expertise spans R&D, manufacturing, distribution, and marketing, with a strong emphasis on prescription medicine.
Our commitment to Africa began in 2010. Eisai Pharmaceuticals has partnered with global organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, to combat neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) like lymphatic filariasis.
We have been manufacturing diethylcarbamazine tablets, a lymphatic filariasis treatment, and providing 2.36 billion tablets for free, as well as conducting disease awareness campaigns to support these efforts. Additionally, we are dedicated to advancing the development of new treatments for other NTDs and malaria. Our ongoing commitment includes leveraging our SDG activities to collaborate on research and development, bringing cutting-edge therapies in neurology and oncology to the continent. This reflects our dedication to making a significant impact in African healthcare.
In January of 2024, we inaugurated our offices in Johannesburg, officially launching our sales subsidiary based in Sandton. This strategic move reflects Eisai’s dedication to advancing healthcare accessibility across the African continent. Initially, our focus will be on the SADC region, with future expansion plans into South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and East Africa. Our journey begins with this significant presence in Johannesburg.
EF: How do you define your priorities, and what are they now?
FC: At Eisai Pharmaceuticals, our commercialization strategy is deeply rooted in our core corporate concept, Human Healthcare (hhc). Our mission in South Africa is to alleviate health-related concerns and create a lasting societal impact by improving access to life-saving medications.
We focus on critical therapeutic areas such as oncology, neurology, neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), and malaria. Our efforts include expanding access to essential treatments like Lenvima, Halaven, Fycompa, and Dayvigo, with future plans to enter the Alzheimer's treatment space. This strategic approach underscores our commitment to enhancing healthcare outcomes and addressing pressing medical needs.
Our immediate focus is on strengthening our presence in South Africa, while we are also preparing for expansion into SADC countries. This strategic growth plan highlights our commitment to broadening our reach and enhancing our impact across the region.
EF: Could you elaborate on the ‘human healthcare concept’, and how does it translate to your operations and management style?
FC: The Human Healthcare (hhc) is at the core of everything we do at Eisai Pharmaceuticals. It is not just a corporate philosophy but a fundamental principle that guides all our actions and decisions.
Our commitment to hhc shapes our approach to patient care, our business model, and our day-to-day operations. This philosophy is reinforced by our global teams and cascades through our organization, ensuring that we consistently focus on making a societal impact and addressing health-related concerns. It’s integral to how we operate and how we strive to enhance healthcare outcomes.
EF: What strategies is your organization employing to advance healthcare, and how effective have these been so far? Additionally, what future strategies do you foresee for further increasing access to healthcare services?
FC: Access to healthcare remains a top priority in Africa, and South Africa is no exception. At Eisai Pharmaceuticals, our strong relationship with headquarters is crucial in this regard. Through regular meetings and comprehensive market understanding, our headquarters effectively supports our efforts to enhance patient access.
Clear communication and thorough research are essential to our approach. We collaborate closely to identify and implement solutions tailored to the needs of the continent and South Africa specifically. For example, our recent project received excellent support from headquarters, demonstrating their commitment to innovative patient support programs. These initiatives are designed to significantly improve patient care and access in South Africa.
EF: Could you elaborate on your digital transformation footprint and how is this going to increase access in Africa?
FC: Digital transformation is pivotal for enhancing our operations and leveraging technology to reach a broader population across the continent. Addressing the constraints of healthcare access, we have strategically partnered with RecoMed, a leading South African digital healthcare marketplace company.
RecoMed's platform, utilized by 3,000 healthcare providers, has received funding from Eisai Pharmaceuticals. This investment solidifies our position as a key player in the local market and supports the creation of a unified digital patient healthcare journey, with a focus on oncology and neurology. We are excited about this partnership and look forward to collaborating with RecoMed to drive significant advancements in digital healthcare.
EF: What you're most looking forward to when it comes to the access to health that you're bringing in through Eisai?
FC: I am proud of Eisai’s investment in the continent, which reflects our strong commitment to enhancing healthcare access, particularly in our areas of expertise: oncology, neurology, and neglected tropical diseases, including malaria.
Our efforts are driven by a philosophy aimed at addressing healthcare disparities and improving the overall burden of disease. We are excited about upcoming collaborations designed to tackle regional healthcare challenges and co-develop treatments for neglected diseases and malaria.
Notably, we are partnering with the Broad Institute and the University of Kentucky on these initiatives. Additionally, Eisai is working with the Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi), an international NGO, to develop safe, effective, and affordable treatments for neglected diseases. Our ongoing R&D efforts are dedicated to addressing critical healthcare needs in Africa.
EF: Looking back into the time that you have been, what are you most proud of that you have accomplished?
FC: Reflecting on our achievements, I am particularly proud of the successful commercialization of our operations in South Africa this year, which was greatly supported by regional collaboration and our headquarters. The official office opening in March this year was a significant milestone, made even more special by the presence of esteemed delegates.
Another highlight has been the recent launch of innovative drugs, which marks a key success in our ongoing efforts. These accomplishments were achieved through the dedicated efforts of both our local and global teams, working seamlessly as one. Seeing our philosophy drive progress month after month underscores the strength of our collective commitment and reinforces our shared vision.
EF: You should feel proud of being an important piece of the incredible journey Eisai has been having in the past years. What would be your advice to business leaders who are willing to be part of something similar to what you have done?
FC: To business leaders aspiring to embark on a similar journey, my advice is to fully embrace the process and commit deeply to your mission. Understand the regional needs and ensure you have the necessary support to meet them effectively.
Courage and perseverance are crucial. It's essential to drive your core philosophy with determination and work tirelessly to bring it to life. For me, living the Human Healthcare (hhc) philosophy daily is what fuels my drive and commitment.
Every challenge presents an opportunity for innovative solutions, so view obstacles as chances to create impactful changes. This mindset will help you not only overcome difficulties but also transform lives and achieve your goals.
