Read the Conversation
Meeting highlights:
• Lilly's vision is getting medicines to morepatients faster.
• Lilly is focused on continues innovation,accelerating new product launches, expanding reach and access for patients,fostering strategic partnerships and embracing digital transformation to betterserve the patients.
• Lilly is focused on key therapeutic areas:oncology, diabetes, immunology, and neuroscience
• Lilly has been a pioneer in diabetes care sinceintroducing the first commercial insulin, continuously developing innovativetreatments that improve the lives of millions with diabetes.
• Cesar Buendia's management philosophy emphasizes living by the principles ofexcellence, integrity and respecting others.
EF: Could you elaborate on the priorities of your agenda for the region for 2024?
CB: At Lilly, our primary mission is "getting our medicines to more patients faster," which provides unique opportunities to enhance the reach and scale of our innovative medicines including:
• Enhancing the accessibility of our medicines, especially in low- and middle-income countries, through strategic partnerships and innovative ideas.
• Speeding up the launch of new products and indications to benefit more patients sooner.
• Pushing forward our pipeline of groundbreaking therapies, particularly in areas like oncology, immunology, neuroscience, and diabetes.
• Leveraging digital transformation to improve patient outcomes with cutting-edge solutions.
• Fortifying our culture of innovation, collaboration and excellence.
• Investing in our people and nurturing a continuous learning environment.
EF: Based on the partnerships you are building, how is Lilly addressing the challenges of increasing access to innovative therapies in the South African health system and the region?
CB: Patient-centricity is at the heart of every decision we make at Lilly. We are continuously exploring innovative strategies to expand our reach and enhance access across the region. Having one of the most innovative product pipelines in the industry, Lilly leverages strategic collaborations with partners who bring complementary strengths, engaging with health authorities and various stakeholders to accelerate the introduction of new medicines.
Having such a robust pipeline presents both opportunities and responsibilities; thus, our firm commitment is to boost and speed up access to cutting-edge therapies for patients, making it our highest priority.
EF: What are the driving forces in the region? How do you see the market trends, and where are the bigger medical demands for Lilly's products?
CB: Our region is facing a surge in chronic diseases, compounded by a growing population that demands effective and sustainable healthcare solutions. The market is increasingly tending towards personalized medicine and the integration of digital health technologies to enhance patient care and treatment outcomes. South Africa has already adopted these advancements, providing examples of tuberculosis care.
Therefore, the highest demand for Lilly's products revolves around innovative therapies targeting conditions such as diabetes, oncology, and immunology. These fields present significant health challenges but also offer immense opportunities for impactful health interventions. Lilly is at the forefront of innovative treatments that are transforming patient care in these fields.
More than a century ago, Lilly transformed diabetes care by being the first company to bring insulin to market, a game-changing advancement that saved innumerable lives. Today, Lilly remains at the forefront of diabetes treatment, extending its innovative essence to create new therapies that address every facet of the disease including chronic weight management.
EF: What specific strategies and educational initiatives does Lilly have to ensure access to innovative therapies and to bring value beyond the products to South Africa and the region?
CB: At Lilly, we follow a robust set of strategies aligned with our vision to deliver our medicines to patients faster, especially in regions where quality services and treatments are critically needed. Our multifaceted approach includes:
• Strategic partnerships: designed to broaden our reach and enhance access to our medicines.
• Collaboration with Regulatory Agencies: we work closely with these organizations to speed up the approval process for new effective treatments and indications.
• Fostering innovation to improve the healthcare system and patient care.
• Lilly 30x30 Initiative: this ambitious goal focuses on improving access to quality healthcare for 30 million people annually by 2030, with particular emphasis on Africa.
EF: The advances in alliances and collaborations and your proactive role have spotlighted South Africa. How has your leadership style and team evolved after one year of leading the South African branch?
CB: Throughout my professional journey in Latin America and South Africa, my leadership style has been profoundly shaped by embracing the values of integrity, excellence and respect for people. These principles are at the heart of Lilly's core values, representing what great leadership means to me.
By leading through example and truly "walking the talk," we can inspire our teams to strive for excellence, promote strong teamwork and cultivate a winning mindset. Also, always remembering our higher purpose of improving the lives of patients with Lilly’s medicines boosts our drive and commitment to deliver our best every day.
My aspiration has always been to do the right thing and learn from my mistakes, striving to become a better leader every day. For me, it's not just about achieving results but also about building lasting relationships and making a positive impact on people's lives.
I am grateful for my extraordinary experience in South Africa and deeply proud of my team and all we have accomplished together. I aspire to have contributed to their professional growth while leaving a meaningful mark on the lives of patients in South Africa and the region.
EF: What makes South Africa and the Sub-Saharan region strategically valuable to Lilly?
CB: South Africa along with the Sub-Saharan region, offers a mix of significant challenges and tremendous possibilities. The healthcare sector is dynamic, with a demanding need for innovative solutions that could address extensive health needs. This scenario aligns with Lilly’s commitment to reach more patients faster, reinforcing our mission in this vital region.
