RARE featuring Hannah Kurth
Laura Hulley
Supporting the growth of rare disease companies across Europe | Creator of RARE blog
The Evolution of Pharma Networking: An Interview with Hannah Kurth of Pulse Network
In today’s rapidly evolving life sciences industry, networking and collaboration are more crucial than ever. One key player facilitating these connections is Hannah Kurth, a seasoned market access leader with over 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors. As the founder of Pulse Network, Hannah is shaping a community of curious minds from pharma, biotech, and health tech, fostering innovation and collaboration. In this episode of RARE, Hannah talks us through her career, the origins and mission of Pulse Network, and the pivotal role the platform plays in supporting the rare disease space.
The full video interview can be accessed here:
From Economist to Pharma Innovator
Hannah began her professional journey as an economist, entering the healthcare industry through a boutique consultancy focused on health economics outcomes research, and pricing and reimbursement strategies. This experience laid the groundwork for a successful transition into the pharmaceutical industry.
Hannah joined Ipsen in 2005, a mid-sized pharmaceutical company, where she took on various roles, including Global Market Analytics Lead in Endocrinology and Global Pricing and Market Access Director in Neurology. Her career at Ipsen was marked by significant achievements, including being one of the founding members of the company's Market Access Department. This period also saw Hannah relocate to Paris and complete a master’s in Health Economics Policy and Management at the London School of Economics.
Her journey continued with roles at Merck Serono and Galapagos, where she led market access and pricing initiatives for key launches in multiple sclerosis and inflammation. At Horizon Therapeutics, Kurth focused on rare autoimmune and severe inflammatory conditions, emphasizing global access and pricing strategies. Her extensive experience across these roles prepared her to launch her consultancy, Pulse Edge, aimed at guiding Bio Pharma organizations on their path to revenue generation.
The Birth of Pulse Network
Pulse Network was born from Hannah’s desire to bridge the gap between pharma and biotech professionals, especially in the Paris region. Pulse Network gathers leaders from pharma, biotech, and health tech for face-to-face networking events. Key insights and developments in life sciences are also published on their LinkedIn page. With nearly 700 followers on LinkedIn and a diverse membership, Pulse Network has become a vibrant community of life sciences professionals driven by a shared passion for innovation.
Hannah emphasizes the importance of live networking in today’s digital age, highlighting its value for career evolution, personal development, and business opportunities. "Those who attend events understand the value of live networking in today's world, both in terms of career evolution and personal development, but also business opportunities," she notes.
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Supporting the Rare Disease Space
A significant focus for Pulse Network is the rare disease sector, a rapidly growing market due to advancements in genetic and molecular research and the development of precision medicine. Hannah and her team are dedicated to supporting professionals in this space by fostering innovation and collaboration.
"Pulse focuses quite a bit on novel therapies such as gene therapies and biologics," Hannah explains. With a significant portion of Pulse members having experience in rare diseases, the platform offers valuable insights and networking opportunities for professionals dedicated to addressing high unmet medical needs.
The network supports its members through digital activities and live events. Pulse Network’s digital presence includes a weekly roundup of life sciences news, highlighting key approvals, late-stage developments, and groundbreaking innovations in rare diseases. The network also hosts events with industry leaders who share their expertise and insights into cutting-edge developments in the sector.
Attracting Talent and Driving Innovation
Pulse Network has become a hub for professionals interested in rare diseases, drawing individuals from diverse backgrounds and sectors. Hannah attributes this appeal to the platform's focus on healthcare innovation and its commitment to exploring groundbreaking topics. The intimate setting of Pulse events, typically hosting around 25 to 30 attendees, fosters open discussions and meaningful connections. This environment is particularly beneficial for leaders interested in transitioning to the rare disease space, providing them with access to biopharma experts who can offer guidance and contacts.
The Future of Pulse Network
Looking ahead, Hannah is committed to expanding and evolving Pulse Network to meet the needs of its members and the industry at large. She envisions exploring new event formats, including debates on provocative topics and expanding Pulse events to other cities and countries. She is determined to maintain Pulse Network’s core values of bold innovation, servant leadership, authenticity, and value creation, ensuring that the platform remains a space for curious minds to connect and collaborate.
As the life sciences industry continues to evolve, Pulse Network stands out as a beacon of innovation and collaboration. Through its commitment to fostering meaningful connections and driving advancements in healthcare, Pulse Network is poised to play an increasingly vital role in shaping the future of pharma and biotech.
For more information about Pulse Network and to join the community, visit their LinkedIn page and stay tuned for upcoming events and insights from the forefront of life sciences innovation.
Thank you to Hannah for taking the time to feature!
All views expressed are Hannah’s own.