Healthware

About Healthware

Healthware Group functions as a specialized consultancy and full-service agency at the intersection of digital health and industry transformation. The firm was established in Italy in 1997 by Roberto Ascione, who continues to lead the company as CEO. Ascione, originally trained as a medical doctor, channeled his interest in computer science and human-technology interaction into entrepreneurship, founding Healthware to capitalize on the potential of digital applications in healthcare. Over its more than 25-year history, the company has navigated significant corporate milestones. After a period of European expansion, it was acquired by Publicis Groupe in 2007 and rebranded as Publicis Healthware International. Ascione later spun the agency back out as an independent entity in June 2015.

The company's business model is centered on providing transformational advisory and technology services to life sciences, biotechnology, and digital health companies. Its service portfolio is extensive, covering marketing, customer engagement, medical communications, media services, and technology development for the commercial, medical, and R&D operations of its clients. Healthware operates through several specialized divisions, including Healthware International for communications, Healthware Engage for media consultancy, and Healthware Labs for innovation projects. The company also develops digital therapeutics and operates a corporate investment arm, Healthware Ventures, which supports digital health startups. A significant part of its community engagement and thought leadership strategy involves co-hosting the annual Frontiers Health conference, a major global event in the digital health sector.

In October 2023, Eversana, a US-based provider of global commercial services to the life sciences industry, acquired Healthware Group. This acquisition was the culmination of a long-standing partnership and joint venture that began in 2017. Following the acquisition, Healthware merged with Eversana's agency network, EVERSANA INTOUCH, to form EVERSANA INTOUCH Healthware. This integration aims to create a comprehensive global agency network, combining Healthware's European footprint and digital innovation capabilities with Eversana's commercialization ecosystem. As part of the deal, Eversana also took ownership of Healthware's media properties, including the industry publication pharmaphorum, which Healthware had acquired in 2020.