About Magnolia Innovation
Magnolia Innovation, headquartered in Bridgewater Township, NJ, is a leading healthcare and pharmaceutical market research firm that offers specialized solutions at every stage of the product lifecycle. Our expertise includes:
- Market Research: We have deep expertise in primary research with a focus on qualitative and quantitative methodologies tailored for the healthcare and pharmaceutical institutions.
- Healthcare Market Strategy: Our strategic planning services cover the full brand lifecycle, providing actionable strategies to navigate market challenges.
- Market Access: We provide insight driven guidance on pricing, payer, and reimbursement strategies.
- HCP & Patient Analytics: Our healthcare analytics team excels in advanced quantitative techniques, transforming data into valuable market intelligence.
- Training: We provide customized training solutions that align with clinical education, current market trends, and strategies to accelerate sales.
- Market Research Panels: Our custom panels are designed for targeted market research and to facilitate advisory and speaking engagements.
At Magnolia Innovation, we are committed to delivering insightful market research that propels the success of new healthcare and pharmaceutical products. Our comprehensive services from strategic planning to robust post-launch support underscore our dedication to our clients’ success.
Magnolia Innovation
400 Crossing Blvd, 1st Floor
Bridgewater Township, NJ 08807
The Magnolia Leadership Team Has 40+ Years of Experience Building and Launching Brands in Healthcare Industries
Partners Ken Howie and Ari Shapiro teamed up to create a vision for a research shop that can truly deliver on that promise, without the distraction that larger organizations can often carry. The recent addition of the Market Access division, led by Amanda Forys, provides unique services to its clients at the intersection of market access and reimbursement, health policy, and health economics.
Ken brings extensive healthcare and digital agency background to the team at Magnolia, having spent the last 15 years as a strategic insights partner to companies at every stage of a product’s life cycle.
Prior to joining Magnolia, Ken was Executive Director of the Health & Wellness Strategic Insights practice at Sachs Insights in New York. He led a team of strategists across different clients at all ends of healthcare, from pharmaceuticals and devices, to payers, to tech companies looking to differentiate in complex environments.
Ken is a reliable partner in helping clients connect the dots between insight, strategy, and marketing innovations within the world of health. He holds degrees in public policy and business administration from Carnegie Mellon University.
Diego is a passionate leader with almost 20 years of strategy and marketing management experience in healthcare.
Prior to joining Magnolia, Diego was a Partner at Rosetta, where for the last 5 years, he led the largest consulting client relationship in Marketing Strategy and Insights, overseeing a team of 40 professionals across 6 brands in differing stages of their life cycle, from early development to market diversification. Diego has experience across a wide range of categories in both the pharmaceutical and medical device space.
Prior to Rosetta, Diego was the Marketing Director at Ansell Healthcare’s US Surgical and Examination Glove Division. Diego is also a certified Six Sigma Black Belt and holds a BS in Finance and Economics from Babson College and an MBA from Cornell University.
Jill has spent her entire 30-year career focused on the healthcare and CPG industries working exclusively on the research provider side of the business. Jill has a proven track record of building relationships, growing partnerships and delivering high quality results for some of the world’s most premier healthcare and CPG companies. For the last 12 years, Jill served as the Managing Director of Psyma’s Healthcare, CPG and BtoB business practices in the US where much of her healthcare work focused on rare and ultra-rare diseases. In addition to overseeing the research team, Jill helped to develop, market and launch several branded solutions. Prior to joining Psyma, Jill held a Senior leadership position at Attitude Measurement Corporation (now AMCGlobal) where she led teams in the healthcare and CPG practice arenas.
Jacob is an insights and strategy consultant, with almost 25 years of experience conducting global and domestic healthcare market research. At Magnolia, he oversees a team of ~12 researchers and project managers; together, they act as thought partners for clients by identifying knowledge gaps and designing and executing primary research and/or training programs to fill those gaps. Before Magnolia, he worked for Ipsos, GfK, and then his own research company. He has conducted almost 10,000 interviews with HCPs, patients, and payers. Jacob holds a B.A. from Columbia University.
Markus is an Associate Partner at Magnolia Innovation, where he co-leads a team focused on supporting brands in oncology and rare disease. A market researcher by training, he is focused on helping brands commercialize effectively and with the voice of the customer in mind.
With more than 10 years of market research experience, Markus has supported over 100 consulting projects across therapeutic areas. He has a proven track record of developing and executing market research and consulting projects that have resulted in successful product launches and marketing campaigns.
Prior to joining Magnolia in 2017, Markus worked in academia as a researcher and teacher. He holds a BA in Philosophy & Economics from Bayreuth University (Germany) and a M.Sc. in Marketing/Management from Stockholm University (Sweden).
Rony Ben-David is a seasoned Director at Magnolia Innovation, leading a dynamic team of researchers and consultants. With nearly 30 years of experience in market research and consulting, Rony specializes in the pharmaceutical and life sciences industry, catering to a wide range of clients from small bio-techs to large pharmaceutical companies.
Throughout his career, Rony has excelled in both qualitative and quantitative market research, covering all stages of a compound’s lifecycle, from pre-clinical to post-launch strategies. He has conducted thousands of interviews, focus groups, and surveys, engaging with patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) globally. Rony’s quantitative expertise encompasses various study types and analytical techniques, including concept testing, demand studies, usability testing, and segmentation studies.
While focusing on rare diseases and oncology at Magnolia, Rony also possesses extensive experience in other therapeutic areas such as cardiology, diabetes, HIV, and women’s health. Known for his ability to transform complex data into meaningful insights, Rony has established a stellar reputation as a client partner committed to delivering excellence.
Before joining Magnolia, Rony held positions at GfK, a prominent global research conglomerate, as well as smaller consultancies. He has led research teams and contributed to task forces focused on employee development, process improvement, and client service. Rony holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from the City University of New York and has completed various post-graduate programs, enhancing his tactical, industry-specific knowledge and strategic leadership abilities.
With his wealth of experience, profound expertise, and client-focused approach, Rony remains a sought-after market research consultant for pharmaceutical and life sciences companies in need of strategic guidance and valuable market insights.
Arun is a Director on Magnolia’s Rare Disease & Oncology team, bringing deep expertise and a data-driven approach to our team.
Leading a dedicated group of healthcare market research analysts, she designs and analyzes custom research projects to address clients’ strategic business questions. With over 5 years at Magnolia, Arun specializes in cellular and genetic therapies, rare oncology indications, and targeted oncology therapies. Her responsibilities encompass market assessments, stakeholder assessments, and ongoing tracking studies. Leveraging her strong analytical skills, Arun enables clients to make informed decisions throughout the product lifecycle.
Before joining Magnolia, Arun worked as a healthcare market analyst at a global expert network and advisory firm, where she gained extensive experience in analyzing market trends, customer behavior, and competition. Her expertise has made her a trusted advisor to numerous pharmaceutical companies.
Arun holds a Bachelor’s degree in Neurobiology and a Master’s in Business Management in Science from Boston University. Combining her education with practical experience, she not only understands the value of clients’ products but also provides strategic recommendations to maximize market potential.
Beyond her project work, Arun actively contributes to Magnolia’s Corporate Social Responsibility committee, upholding the company’s commitment to philanthropy, volunteerism, and knowledge sharing for the betterment of society.
Kim Barr is a Director at Magnolia Innovation. She has 9 years of experience in market research and consulting supporting pharmaceutical and biotech clients.
Her areas of expertise include qualitative and quantitative market research spanning both US and ex-US global markets. She has deep expertise in Rare Disease and Oncology, with particular subject matter expertise in cellular and gene therapy, lymphomas, and solid tumors. Kim has researched a wide variety of stakeholder types including physicians, key opinion leaders, patients and caregivers, mid-level healthcare providers, and payers. She is passionate about qualitative market research and understanding individuals’ perceptions, belief drivers, and emotions.
Prior to joining Magnolia, Kim worked at Decision Resources Group Consulting (DRG) for 3 years where she supported a variety of pharmaceutical clients. Her areas of therapeutic focus included cardiology, diabetes, rheumatology, pain, asthma, and cognitive and neurological disorders. At DRG, Kim gained experience with a variety of Market Access customer segments including US and global payers, pharmacy benefit managers, and specialty pharmacy/distributors.
Kim received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a Minor in Marketing at The College of New Jersey.
With more than 25+ years of experience in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, Mark has extensive experience in marketing, market research, sales force effectiveness, data analytics and visualization, corporate strategy, and other aspects of commercial excellence.
Thought leader and author of numerous blogs on Pharma – New Commercial Models, Participative Medicine and Patient Engagement, Precision Recruiting, Organized Customers, Predictions for Healthcare 2022, etc.
Mark is also co-founder and President of a non-profit organization called the South Asian Pharmaceutical Council (SAPC). He has worked in leadership positions at Novartis, Bristol Myers Squibb, Johnson and Johnson, Sanofi and other companies. His consulting experiences spans three three companies where previously he was the EVP and Chief Strategy Officer at Publicis Health Solutions a Partner at Guidehouse, Inc. Most recently Mark was a Senior Principal in the Commercial Effectiveness consulting group at IQVIA. Mark holds a BS degree in Biology and an MBA from University of Madras, India and an MS degree in advanced analytics from Clarkson University, NY.
Miller is a strategic thinker and consultant, leading a dynamic team that delves into numerous intricate healthcare markets. He values a robust process of testing assumptions and seeking deep understanding of business challenges through thorough research to advise clients on actionable paths for success in an ever-evolving landscape. He draws on extensive experience conducting research and consulting initiatives for clients in the U.S. and around the world to set appropriate context and execute effective engagements seamlessly. While equally adept in tackling ad hoc business questions, Miller has helped shepherd many brands through pre-launch planning and into commercialization to build optimal positions in the face of frequently stiff competition. Miller holds a B.A. in Biochemistry and Economics from Middlebury College and he leverages this unique combination of knowledge to engage with state-of-the-art technologies and mechanisms of action in the pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device industries and appropriately contextualize them in a commercial setting.
Miller’s broad areas of experience include Oncology, Genetic Disorders, Infectious Disease, Cardiovascular Disease, Infection Control, Dermatology, Ophthalmology, Women’s Health, Autoimmune Disorders, Mental Health, and Cell & Gene Therapy. He maintains a keen desire to continue expanding his knowledge and expertise.
As a Director at Magnolia Innovation, Alex co-leads a rare disease and oncology-focused market research team. Her role involves designing and managing large-scale research projects to address pharmaceutical clients’ key business questions across the product lifecycle.
Alex offers expertise in navigating market research in rare and ultra-rare conditions and has developed a deep understanding of novel and complex treatment areas, such as radiopharmaceuticals, CAR T, and gene therapy. She is focused on delivering insight- and data-driven recommendations to inform launch and growth strategies, and in some cases, in support of peer-reviewed publications.
Alex has a genuine passion for amplifying the patient voice and uncovering opportunities to improve healthcare outcomes. She has spearheaded Magnolia’s Corporate Social Responsibility Taskforce, dedicated to finding opportunities to give back to the communities we operate in.
Prior to Magnolia, Alex worked at a large health insurance agency, analyzing claims and supporting preventative health programs. She holds a B.A. in Business Management from the University of Connecticut.
Trained as a neuroscientist, Nancy brings more than 25 years of academic and applied research expertise to her work. Her global market research experience includes new product development, brand strategy, and marketing communications. Nancy has extensive experience in oncology, hematology, neurology, rheumatology. and rare diseases. Nancy holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences from University of Texas Medical Branch, and an M.B.A. from the University of British Columbia.
David Richard Farmer
Associate Partner
David has spent the past twenty years applying social science methodologies to medical market research. Throughout his career, David has sought to understand how the phenomenon of disease shapes both practitioners’ and patients’ perspectives on sickness and health. He brings clarity to complexity by applying empathetic engagement and therapeutic-area credibility as he interacts with physicians and patients. David holds a BA in English from Hamilton College, completed graduate studies in language and linguistics at Roskilde University, Denmark, and has an MA (Economics) and MBA from the University of Illinois Chicago.
Mark Rogers
Associate Partner
Mark is a cultural anthropologist who has spent the past two decades researching complex marketing and brand issues, with a focus on healthcare. With a specialization in ethnographic methods, he explores the practical, cognitive and emotional dimensions of disease and its treatment with a wide variety of respondents, including patients, caregivers, physicians, nurses and patient advocates. During his time in academia, Mark taught medical anthropology and ethnographic research methods at the Latin American Graduate School for Social Sciences, Davidson College, and the University of Rochester.
ARI SHAPIRO, PHD
PARTNER
A cultural anthropologist by training, Ari has spent over twenty years conducting market research to improve new product development and communications in healthcare. Ari is responsible for keeping our work eminently valuable. He works with clients to envision, plan, and execute research, then interpret results to make practical, actionable business decisions. Ari holds a B.A. from Harvard University, and M.A. / Ph.D. degrees in anthropology from Princeton University.
LISA KINDIG, MBA
ASSOCIATE PARTNER
For over two decades, Lisa has conducted qualitative research to support effective product development, brand strategy, and communications planning in healthcare. She is accomplished at maximizing the value of research engagements and delivering insightful, pragmatic results. Experienced in a broad range of therapeutic areas, her work includes studies in oncology, hematology, endocrinology/metabolic disorders, cardiovascular disease, pulmonology, orthopedics, neurology, infectious disease, vaccination, medical devices, and diagnostics. Lisa holds a B.A. in Psychology from Harvard University, an M.B.A. from Fontbonne University, and an M.F.A. from the University of Delaware.