Otsuka Pharmaceutical

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.

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.

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.