We highlight four standout examples of collaborations that sit beyond the traditional pharmaceutical-to-pharmaceutical model, noting partnerships within technology as well as creative approaches to communicating with patients and the public, such as documentaries, graphic novels, and music.
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC'S VACCINE RACE DOCUMENTARY
Pfizer and BioNTech have collaborated with National Geographic on a behind-the-scenes documentary called ‘Mission Possible’. The film tracks the development journey of their COVID-19 vaccine, highlighting the transparency employed to garner trust from the public in this historic moment, as well as illustrating the dedication and sacrifice of the vaccine scientists involved.
BMS’ ‘PITCH PERFECT’ MS CAMPAIGN
‘Pitch Perfect’ star and Tony award-winning actor Ben Platt, alongside his sister-in-law and professional dancer Courtney Platt, have teamed up with BMS for a multiple sclerosis awareness campaign titled ‘MS in Harmony’. The campaign provides a comprehensive look at how music therapy enables people living with MS to strengthen their speech and mobility, running alongside the recent launch of their treatment for MS: Zeposia®.
SANOFI TEAM UP WITH TECH GIANT GOOGLE
Sanofi have teamed up with Silicon Valley giant Google, as they seek to develop new digital technologies to improve care and outcomes for people living with both Type 1 and 2 diabetes. The pair hope that Google’s expertise in analytics and miniaturised electronics combined with Sanofi’s scientific expertise will enable the partnership to discover more real-time perspectives of patient health.
GRAPHIC NOVEL AMPLIFIES PATIENT STORIES
Inspired and written by Jonathan Hill, a patient living with haemophilia, BioMarin and Believe have collaborated on a graphic novel named ‘Blood of the Paladin’ in order to raise awareness of the realities of the disease. The novel, partially influenced by Hill’s own experiences of living with haemophilia, is set in the ‘80s and features the work of two artists: a traditional comic illustrator and a specialist Dungeons and Dragons artist.