Science-Driven Strategy for BioPharma

Science-Driven Strategy for BioPharma

Catenion is a management consulting firm devoted to helping pharmaceutical and biotech companies implement more innovative and effective strategies.

What makes

us unique

  1. We focus on science-driven strategy: we answer key questions through comprehensive multidimensional assessments conducted by our team of life science PhDs.
  1. We have two decades of experience and relationships globally across the biopharmaceutical industry.
  1. We integrate Data Science in our analyses with a team of bioinformaticians, computational biologists and data engineers.

Therapeutic Area Strategy & Disease Mapping

Target Selection & Prioritization

Asset & Company Screening

Due Diligence

Corporate and R&D Strategy

R&D Risk Assessment

Portfolio Review & Optimization

Science & Technology Mapping

Clinical Development Strategy

Indication Evaluation & Therapeutic Expansion

Hover the services to learn more.
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We apply established workflows to evaluate projects and entire portfolios to support decision-making and prioritization.

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We support companies to develop clinical development strategies that drive competitive differentiation through an adequate choice of trial design elements, such as powering, endpoints and comparators.

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We have developed a structured approach to help companies adapt and design Corporate and R&D Strategies that link vision and goals.

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Catenion’s proprietary ASAP is a structured and validated process to screen and select the most fitting companies or assets for potential acquisition or licensing.

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We conduct an established and comprehensive process for the identification and prioritization of the most fitting and attractive biological targets for an asset or technology platform of interest.

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We provide investors with thorough Commercial Due Diligences of lead assets of potential target companies.

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Catenion’s proprietary Risk Assessment tool identifies technical and scientific risks of an R&D program based on over 500 criteria with pre-defined scores and weights.

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We map landscapes for a given technology or type of therapy​ to distill strategic insights for our clients​.

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Our Therapeutic Expansion process allows for a systematic search, identification and prioritization of indications that best fit our client’s asset, in line with strategy and needs.

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Our Disease Mapping evaluates the current state, future scenarios​ and opportunities of an indication or therapeutic area of interest and complements them with internal cross-functional capabilities.

Our Clients

& Testimonials

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“Catenion is an outstanding partner. They deeply understand the needs of a client, work closely with the utmost professionalism and focus on key outcomes, with unwavering focus. Their insights are top notch across the board with true scientific rigor.”

David Berry

Valo Health / Flagship Pioneering

CEO / General Partner

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“When dealing with strategic topics related to R&D, Catenion is my partner of choice. They bring unique perspectives and frameworks, and their deep rooting in science and technology clearly differentiates them from other consulting firms that I know.”

Dr. Stefan Oschmann

Merck KGaA

CEO

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“One of the toughest decisions I had to take in my role as CEO of Bayer Pharma was to refocus our Discovery activities after the market withdrawal of Lipobay. Using their proprietary tools, benchmarks and a tough, fact–based approach, Catenion guided the Discovery management team through a difficult process of prioritisation of therapeutic areas and projects and provided crucial support for the decision making of the Bayer Corporate Board.”

Dr. Wolfgang Plischke

Bayer Pharma

CEO

Endocyte NovartisCo
“Catenion was able to identify and address the fundamental questions across every aspect of the value chain for each of the programs we assessed. Their insight into the science, regulatory landscape, manufacturing challenges, competitive dynamics, and commercial potential provided an objective understanding of the risks and opportunities.”

Mike Sherman

Endocyte

CEO

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“We have successfully worked with Catenion on various strategic- and portfolio related- topics. They really go deep into the science and are able to translate insights into effective strategies. They are fully at home in the world of US biotech and have an extensive network in Europe and Japan.”

Jon P. Stonehouse

Biocryst Pharmaceuticals Inc.

President and CEO

Note: Affiliations at the time of the collaboration with Catenion.

Insights

In addition to our self-published insights, we also contribute to a variety of different journals on a number of topics. These articles can all be found below.

Catenion Markus Thunecke compressed
“We bridge science, technology and business, working directly with project teams, as well as senior management.”
Dr. Markus Thunecke
Senior Partner
Catenion Matthias Krings
“As trusted partners of top executives in Europe, the US and Japan, we are valued for our objectivity and independent thought.”
Dr. Matthias Krings
Senior Partner
Catenion Mariana Cerdeira 768x994 1
“We develop strategies that empower our clients to drive innovation and bring new treatments from promises to patients.”
Dr. Mariana Cerdeira
Manager
Catenion Arno Heuermann 2
“Translating new technologies into viable business ideas.”
Arno Heuermann
COO, Partner/Managing Director
Catenion Pascal Joly
“At Catenion, I can put my scientific background in cell therapy and regenerative medicine to practical use and help bring innovative therapies to the market.”
Dr. Pascal Joly
Principal
Catenion Ana Rita da Costa
“Catenion provides an exciting workplace where science meets business. We aim to help our clients to reach patients sooner and better.”
Dr. Ana Rita da Costa
Manager
Catenion Christian Elze
“Our uniqueness begins with a deep understanding of what really counts in the pharmaceutical and medical products industries.”
Christian Elze
Senior Partner
Catenion Simin Oz
“At Catenion’s Data Science Unit, we generate data-driven and customized knowledge bases to identify and prioritize indications and drug targets."
Dr. Simin Oz
Manager
Catenion Damir Omerbasic 768x994 1
“Working with clients to identify opportunities and implement solutions to the tough problems in biopharma R&D.”
Dr. Damir Omerbasic
Manager
Catenion Markus Thunecke compressed
“We bridge science, technology and business, working directly with project teams, as well as senior management.”
Dr. Markus Thunecke
Senior Partner
Catenion Matthias Krings
“As trusted partners of top executives in Europe, the US and Japan, we are valued for our objectivity and independent thought.”
Dr. Matthias Krings
Senior Partner
Catenion Mariana Cerdeira 768x994 1
“We develop strategies that empower our clients to drive innovation and bring new treatments from promises to patients.”
Dr. Mariana Cerdeira
Manager
Catenion Arno Heuermann 2
“Translating new technologies into viable business ideas.”
Arno Heuermann
COO, Partner/Managing Director
Catenion Pascal Joly
“At Catenion, I can put my scientific background in cell therapy and regenerative medicine to practical use and help bring innovative therapies to the market.”
Dr. Pascal Joly
Principal
Catenion Ana Rita da Costa
“Catenion provides an exciting workplace where science meets business. We aim to help our clients to reach patients sooner and better.”
Dr. Ana Rita da Costa
Manager
Catenion Christian Elze
“Our uniqueness begins with a deep understanding of what really counts in the pharmaceutical and medical products industries.”
Christian Elze
Senior Partner
Catenion Simin Oz
“At Catenion’s Data Science Unit, we generate data-driven and customized knowledge bases to identify and prioritize indications and drug targets."
Dr. Simin Oz
Manager
Catenion Damir Omerbasic 768x994 1
“Working with clients to identify opportunities and implement solutions to the tough problems in biopharma R&D.”
Dr. Damir Omerbasic
Manager

19

years

Catenion was founded in 2003 by its four senior partners. For over 19 years, we have been helping our clients develop actionable competitive strategies.

200

companies

companies

Catenion has worked with over 200 companies, from small biotechs to big pharma across the world.

1500

projects

Our consultants have successfully delivered more than 1500 projects over the years.

15+

languages

All together, our consultants speak 15+ languages, so wherever we are in the world, we connect with people and respect local cultures.

19

years

Catenion was founded in 2003 by its four senior partners. For over 19 years, we have been helping our clients develop actionable competitive strategies.

200

companies

companies

Catenion has worked with over 200 companies, from small biotechs to big pharma across the world.

1500

projects

Our consultants have successfully delivered more than 1500 projects over the years.

15+

languages

All together, our consultants speak 15+ languages, so wherever we are in the world, we connect with people and respect local cultures.

Want to learn more about our services?

Want to join our team?
Apply here!

Working

at Catenion

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Katarina Ebert

HR Manager

Are you interested in working with us?

We are constantly looking for outstanding candidates to grow our diverse and international team. You should have an excellent academic record in a life science-related subject (PhD preferred), as well as great communication skills, English proficiency, and a team player personality. Having prior strategy consulting experience is helpful but not a pre-requisite. If this sounds like you, please apply directly on our Careers page.

We look forward to receiving your application!

Catenion Arno Heuermann 2

Arno Heuermann

Arno Heuermann is a founding Partner of Catenion who lives in Berlin, Germany. Arno has ten years of experience as CEO and COO. He has managed companies in Germany, France and Luxemburg.

While working on his degrees, Arno founded a technical engineering office in 1994. He continued to follow the entrepreneurial path in 1998 by founding Biopsytec GmbH, a DNA diagnostics company focused on agriculture, heading the company for more than five years as Managing Director.

In 1999, he co–founded Epigenomics AG, a public biotech company focused on DNA methylation, later remaining as an advisor and member of the firm’s Supervisory Board.

In August 2000, Arno orchestrated the founding and financing of Biopsytec Holding AG, thus merging Genious SA and the QTL AG and Biopsytec GmbH. He managed Biopsytec Holding AG for the next three years before helping launch Catenion in 2003. Since that time, he has been Catenion’s chief operating officer.

Arno holds a diploma degree in process engineering from the Technical University of Applied Sciences in Berlin. In addition, Arno attended the Berlin business school for Industrial Engineering and Management.

He is experienced in the diverse practices of patent management and has made numerous successful inventions.

Arno Heuermann is married and has two children. He is a lover of classical music, country life and horseback riding.

Catenion Matthias Krings

Dr. Matthias Krings

Matthias Krings is a founding Partner of Catenion.

He has worked for international pharma, biotech and medtech organizations on a variety of topics. Matthias works with clients on developing corporate and R&D strategies, identifying new areas of opportunity, tailoring asset and company searches for BD&L and M&A, maximizing the value of existing assets through therapeutic expansion, and prioritizing R&D portfolios. Matthias is also resposible for the creation and delivery of bespoke client education programs in the Catenion Academy.

Before co-founding Catenion in 2003, Matthias was a consultant at Mercer Management Consulting (now Oliver Wyman) and later joined a strategy consulting boutique, Theron.

Matthias holds a diploma and a doctorate degree in Biology from the Ludwig-Maximilians University in Munich. His PhD work was supported by a scholarship from the Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds, Foundation for Basic Research in Medicine. Matthias made significant scientific contributions to the field of human evolution (Krings et al., Cell 1997: Neandertal DNA Sequences and the Origin of Modern Humans).

Matthias lives in Munich & Berlin. He enjoys cooking, gardening, watersports and traveling.

Matthias co-authored Catenion’s Commentaries “Elements of Winning Strategies in R&D” and “Recombinant Portfolio Management – Recognizing and Enabling Innovation”. They are part of Catenion’s “Shaping Pharmaceutical Strategy” series that focuses on high-profile issues for the industry.

Catenion Christian Elze

Christian Elze

Christian Elze is a founding partner of Catenion and has been developing the company’s business in Japan since 2008. He holds a BSc from the London School of Economics and an MBA from Columbia University.

Christian is working with companies, universities and governments in the field of biomedical innovation. In his work, Christian is focusing on how emerging technologies and translational research are re-shaping the respective roles of funding agencies, investors, biopharma companies and academia in the research and development of new drugs.

Besides his consulting work, Christian frequently speaks about Emerging Technologies, Healthcare Reform, Pricing & Reimbursement,  Biomedical Innovation, as well as Translational Research at industry conferences and universities in Japan, the US and Europe.

Christian is a fluent speaker of English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish and lives with his family in London.

Catenion Markus Thunecke compressed

Dr. Markus Thunecke

Markus has written several Catenion Commentaries including “Risk Profiles of Corporate Portfolio Strategies” as well as “Elements of Winning Strategies in R&D”, “Recombinant Innovation Management (RIM) – How to Stimulate Breakthrough Innovation within Large R&D Organisations”, “Recombinant Portfolio Management – Recognising and Enabling Innovation”. He also co–authored “Zero Base R&D” and “The Challenge for Japan’s Pharmaceutical Top Twenty”. All of them are part of Catenion’s “Shaping Pharmaceutical Strategy” series that focuses on high-profile issues for the industry.

Markus Thunecke is a founding Senior Partner of Catenion who lives in Berlin, Germany. Markus started his consulting career in 1997 at Mercer Management Consulting before joining a strategy consulting boutique, Theron, and setting up Catenion in 2003.

Markus has helped numerous clients around the globe in the pharmaceutical and medical products industries create competitive advantage. In addition to his work on strategy, Markus specialises in developing leading–edge analytical tools and combining them with organisational development capabilities. Markus is the developer of a number of Catenion’s proprietary tools for portfolio management and risk assessment. In recent engagements, Markus has helped clients develop and realign their R&D strategies, review their discovery and development portfolios, and create organisational models that foster innovation.

Markus is a frequent speaker at conferences on R&D strategy and portfolio management.

He holds a PhD in biochemistry from the University of Heidelberg, where he generated transgenic animal models for Alzheimer’s disease. He also has three years of research experience within the CNS field at Schering AG.