How Visual Abstract and 5-HT are revolutionizing communication with healthcare professionals

Since October 2022, Visual Abstract has been part of the 5-HT family - a startup with a mission to take communication with doctors, healthcare professionals and patients to a new level. With the support of 5-HT Chemistry & Health and targeted networking within our ecosystem, the company has had a remarkable journey. From initial contacts at the 5-HT Innovators Club to successful collaborations with global pharmaceutical companies such as Pfizer, Visual Abstract shows how innovation and collaboration can shape the future.

From the Innovators Club to global partnerships: The beginning of a success story

It all began with a meeting: at the 5-HT Innovators Club at the end of 2022, founders Saribek Karapetyan and Dr. Benito Campos from Visual Abstract met Peter Neske, Lead Innovation at Pfizer Germany. This 5-HT invitation to Mannheim became the starting point of a partnership that shows how valuable targeted networking events can be.

“Thanks to 5-HT, we had the opportunity to present our solution to a high-caliber audience and make crucial contacts,” Saribek recalls. ”Without the 5-HT platform, the partnership with Pfizer would not have come about.”

Saribek Karapetyan from Visual Abstract presenting at the 5-HT Innovators Club November 2022

Dr. Benito Campos Visual Abstract at the exchange at the Marketplace during the 5-HT Innovators Club November 2022

Peter Neske from Pfizer at the workshop during the 5-HT Innovators Club November 2022

The solution: Efficient communication for the pharmaceutical industry

Visual Abstract has developed an AI-based platform that transforms medical data such as publications and clinical studies into comprehensible and interactive communication materials. The platform optimizes the internal processes of the pharmaceutical industry and reduces the effort required for data preparation and compliance by up to 90 percent.

Particularly impressive: the platform is now used by large and medium-sized pharmaceutical and medtech companies. It enables marketing, medical and sales teams to find, process and communicate data more quickly and efficiently - a decisive advantage in the highly regulated pharmaceutical world.

Pfizer as a trailblazer

The partnership with Pfizer quickly took off after the Innovators Club. In January 2023, Visual Abstract presented its solution to a Pfizer team in Berlin. This was followed shortly afterwards by an invitation to the Pfizer Healthcare Hub event in Freiburg, where the startup presented its platform to an international audience.

Dr. Benito Campos and Peter Neske at the VR Business Event, hosted by Pfizer Healthcare Hub and partners in February 2022

Corinna Herrmann and Lisa Tschalenko from 5-HT, Dr. Benito Campos and Olga Godulianova from Visual Abstract, Peter Neske from Pfizer and Saribek Karapetyan from Visual Abstract at the VR Business Event hosted by the Pfizer Healthcare Hub and partners in February 2022 (f.l.t.r.)

“The exchange with Pfizer was intensive and helped us to adapt our solution to the specific requirements of a global pharmaceutical company,” says Saribek. After an extensive implementation phase, the platform was successfully deployed in several Pfizer teams at the end of 2023, including Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

5-HT as an enabler: more than just a network

The support provided by 5-HT did not end with the first contact. Whether through newsletters, events such as the summer party or targeted invitations to international conferences such as the Web Summit in Lisbon, 5-HT repeatedly offered Visual Abstract new opportunities to present itself and enter into valuable partnerships.

“5-HT supported us in a crucial phase when contacts like the one with Pfizer were worth their weight in gold,” emphasizes Saribek. ”The network and the opportunities that 5-HT offers us are unique.”

From startup to scale-up: A look into the future

Since its foundation in 2022, Visual Abstract has achieved impressive growth. With more than 20 employees and additional major customers from the pharmaceutical industry, the company is rapidly developing towards scale-up. “Our vision is to make medical understanding more efficient and accessible worldwide - for both professionals and patients,” explains Saribek.

Baden-Württemberg's Minister of Economic Affairs Dr. Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut named Visual Abstract as AI Champion Baden-Württemberg at the Start-up BW Summit 2024 on 11 July 2024; Peter Neske Pfizer, Dr. Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut, Saribek Karapetyan and Dr. Benito Campos from Visual Abstract (f.l.t.r.)

Tips for startups and corporates: collaboration that works

As an experienced B2B startup, Saribek knows how important perseverance and openness are:

• For startups: “Perseverance is crucial. Big projects in the B2B world take time, but the investment is worth it.”

• For corporates: “Give new business models a chance and approach them with an open mind. Cooperation with startups is more important today than ever, because that's where innovations are born."

Visual Abstract and 5-HT show how targeted networking and engagement can promote innovation in the healthcare industry. The journey continues - and we at 5-HT are proud to be part of this success story.