Otsuka Pharmaceutical

Partnering with healthcare researchers to improve patient communications.

How did we help:
Visual Identity Product Design Prototyping Website Development
Otsuka Hero

The client

Otsuka is a global holistic healthcare company. Originally founded in Japan in 1921, today their international network comprises more than 150 companies and 40,000 employees across Asia-Pacific, America, Europe, and the Middle East. This long-term partnership saw Balkan Brothers collaborate with Otsuka’s US-based innovation team, who use digital technology to find new ways to improve their clinical trial and research processes.

Problem

Otsuka’s internal team were missing the skills to bring their vital digital innovations to life. Through research, strategy, designing and prototyping, we partnered with Otsuka over several years to improve their clinician-patient communications and help researchers to do their work safer, faster and smarter.

The solution

Our partnership with Otsuka resulted in the design and prototyping of four different products, each one helping to solve a different research goal or procedural pain point in the clinical trial process.

Disclaimer: Certain aspects of the design work presented here have been modified in order to protect patient privacy. Any health data displayed is fictitious. This showcase does not represent the products from Otsuka Pharmaceutical in its entirety.

Otsuka website
Otsuka website
Otsuka app on a phone screen
Otsuka app on a tablet screen
Otsuka app on a phone screen

Better way to treat mental health.

For Project M, we prototyped a smartphone app that helps mental health care providers to accurately assess their patients, doing away with cumbersome paperwork and simplifying the experience for everyone. The app also allows researchers to collect patient data to support ongoing pharmaceutical projects.

Otsuka Mitram business cards example
Otsuka color palette
Colors
Otsuka icons
Iconography
Otsuka signature
Otsuka Mitram app icon
Man laughing holding his dog
Otsuka web
Otsuka app on phone screens
Otsuka app on a phone screen and a tablet screen
Otsuka app on phone screens

Transforming the clinical trial workflow.

In Project R, we set about transforming the clinical trial reporting experience for patients. A streamlined and stress-free app interface helps people to update their doctors with new symptoms and side effects as and when they happen. Step-by-step user flows and familiar smartphone feedback loops help patients to feel more at home in what can sometimes be a daunting experience. For Project M, we prototyped a smartphone app that helps mental health care providers to accurately assess their patients, doing away with cumbersome paperwork and simplifying the experience for everyone. The app also allows researchers to collect patient data to support ongoing pharmaceutical projects.

Otsuka design elements
Otsuka website
Otsuka app shown on phone screens
Otsuka design elements
Otsuka color palette
Colors
Otsuka website

Results

The Result.

Building technology for healthcare presents a unique set of challenges. We developed and maintained robust internal processes to ensure we could comply with Otsuka’s rightly rigorous legal and data management standards. Yet, this ongoing partnership proves that our core belief in simple, useful and beautiful solutions is a recipe for success no matter what the sector.

We approach every Otsuka project holistically, bringing each prototype up to a market-ready standard complete with bespoke branding, interface design and final development.

Our services

Branding

  • Style exploration
  • Identity development
  • Visual language + Art direction

Human Experience Design

  • Style exploration
  • Creative direction
  • User Interface design
  • Product design
  • Marketing website Illustrations
  • Animations

Development

  • Front-end development
  • Website development
  • Responsive interface development
  • Optimization and testing
  • Quality assurance

“Esperion Announces Agreement with Otsuka
Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. for a deal worth up to $510 Million in total milestones.”

— Yahoo Finance

otsuka

“At Otsuka, we are proud of our commitment to developing innovative solutions. At the heart of our work is addressing mental health disorders and supporting patients and caregivers…”

— Andrew Wright, vice president of Digital Medicine for ‎Otsuka.
Quote given for Otsuka News

“Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. of Japan has completed the acquisition of Visterra for approximately USD 430 million in an all-cash transaction.”

— AP News

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Narrating stories that resonate, building experiences that people cherish, and achieving outcomes that matter demand true partnership. That’s why we’re here for the long haul, walking beside you every step of the way.