Connected health – the convergence of healthcare and technological innovation – is revolutionising the way in which patient care is delivered. In recent years, we have seen a rapid increase in consumer demand for digital health solutions, resulting in connected health becoming a pivotal aspect of the healthcare industry. This includes the mHealth (mobile health) market which was estimated at USD 62.7 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 14.1% from 2024 to 2030.
Our recent research revealed that the life sciences industry is already capitalising on this opportunity, with 63% of organisations already having connected health products on the market or in development. Biopharma companies, in particular, have witnessed a sixfold increase in connected health offerings since 2021. By 2028, these solutions are expected to contribute 22% of total industry revenue.
As the adoption of connected health surges, pharma, medtech and medical device firms alike all face critical challenges related to data management and scalability. Rather than see these as potential problems, companies should instead capitalise on these as opportunities. To make the most of the potential for connected health, business leaders need to have a clear vision and a uniform strategy for adopting and scaling these technologies across their organisations. This approach will empower them to spearhead the necessary innovations to create novel services and products and maintain a competitive edge.
The benefits of mhealth
Biopharma companies are investing in various connected health technologies, including remote patient monitoring apps that use data from wearables and sensors to collect real-time health data. Approximately one in five organisations have already commercialised mobile apps (for patients to capture and track symptoms at home) and smart-medication adherence tools and apps – or currently have such products undergoing regulatory review.
However, one of the biggest areas of growth is the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). According to our data, almost half of biopharma organisations (46%) leverage technologies such as AI and machine learning to analyse data from their connected health solutions. The integration of generative AI technologies holds immense promise, enhancing patient support, personalised care, and operational efficiency. Understanding AI’s potential and integrating it effectively are critical success factors in realising the potential of connected health to create more patient-focused products and services and accelerate scientific discovery and innovation.
Creating a data management strategy
To be able to make the most of these opportunities, companies will need to address some key challenges around data privacy and security concerns posed by mhealth applications, and increased regulatory pressures.
Life sciences is one of the most highly regulated industries, but only 46% of industry players feel prepared for regulatory compliance; 49% for data protection regulations; and 55% for regulations related to quality control measures. While regulation is seen as a significant challenge by many organisations, getting compliance right presents a huge opportunity for ensuring sustainable innovation, improved security, and a long-term competitive advantage.
This, coupled with the fact that connected health generates vast amounts of data from patient records to wearables, means life sciences companies must invest in robust data management infrastructure. This includes secure storage, data analytics, encryption and access controls that can help safeguard patient privacy and ensure compliance with industry regulations.
Developing a robust data strategy that extends to the mobile platform and an effective governance framework is critical for successful connected health implementation. To ensure responsible innovation in mhealth, organisations should embed security guardrails in the design phase of mhealth applications and should carry out regular security testing to identify vulnerabilities throughout the app’s lifecycle. This would require adequate training for app development teams to ensure security is top of mind.
Additionally, clear ownership, accountability, and risk management are essential components of effective governance. As part of this, organisations must align their digital initiatives with business goals, ensuring that investments drive growth and enhance patient outcomes. To achieve this, the industry must allocate resources strategically, balancing short-term financial constraints with long-term growth objectives.
Blending connected health with commercial activity
Our data revealed that more than half of biopharma and MedTech organisations lack the data capabilities essential to building a connected health portfolio. Many such companies have dozens of individual connected health offerings in development, at different levels of completion. Quite often these efforts are conducted in isolation, making it harder to share knowledge and optimise costs and resources. To help streamline connected health innovation, businesses need to develop a strategic portfolio united by an underlying business goal.
This would require integrating connected health solutions into existing systems through careful planning. One key area that can help maximise the success of connected health initiatives is the clever use of data to assess the long-term business potential of new offers. To do this, organisations must assess the compatibility, scalability, and interoperability of their data solutions. Scalability, in particular, is crucial as connected health adoption grows. Cloud-based platforms and edge computing enable efficient data storage and retrieval, while providing more flexibility to accommodate for changing business needs. By incorporating their connected health capabilities into broader business activities, life sciences companies can ensure their new solutions will be able to successfully launch and thrive on the market.
Developing a connected health ecosystem
Connected health, including mhealth, represents the next stage of evolution in healthcare. Critically, it necessitates the seamless integration of various intricate solutions and processes. Achieving this blend is crucial for success. It is clear companies want to concentrate on their innovations, so they should partner with organisations with deep domain knowledge to oversee the consolidation of both internal and external services, technologies, and strategies, allowing them to focus on what they do best.
Unlocking growth and ongoing innovation with cooperation, flexibility, and a dedication to patient-focused product design and technology will be vital for life sciences businesses. Those who adopt and integrate mhealth innovations into their operations will flourish and distinguish themselves in a competitive market. By confronting the challenges head-on and adopting industry best practices, these organisations can foster growth, elevate patient care, and be at the forefront of shaping the healthcare landscape of tomorrow.
By Rob Pears, UK Head of Life Sciences, Manufacturing and Automotive at Capgemini
