Google has been aggressively going after the healthcare industry of late. From Calico, the project looking to “cure death,” to one of its latest projects, a pill for early detection of disease, Google X Life Sciences, led by Andrew Conrad, is working to change the way the world thinks about healthcare. Its latest project involves early detection, a critical factor in most diseases.

Through the use of nanotechnology, Google X believes that someday it will be possible to detect cancer, tumors, heart ailments, and other diseases through the use of a capsule that would be cost-effective and noninvasive. The nanoparticles within the capsule would bind to cells responsible for disease. A device worn by patients would then detect the nanoparticles and alert healthcare providers of potential problems. Though the technology is years away, the patents are already in place.

“We’re helping you live long enough so Calico can make you live longer. And I think what’s beautiful about Google is when Google attacks a problem, like healthcare, they really put some force behind it in a magical way.”

-Andrew Conrad (head of life sciences of Google X Labs)


 

About the Author:

As Managing Director of Innovation and Insights for Syneos Health Communications, Leigh is responsible for building and scaling a global team of healthcare experts who together help life science leaders better understand the complex lives, influences and expectations of their customers. Specifically, they uncover actionable insights that fuel empathy and creativity; lead co-creation events that let marketers learn from peers, trends, and new possibilities; and help clients identify the most valuable and useful new customer experiences to create.

Leigh has worked with Fortune 1000 companies to craft their digital, mobile, social and CRM strategies for nearly 20 years.She’s worked for category-leading agencies in retail, public affairs, B2B technology, and higher education. Prior to moving to Syneos Health Communications, she held several leadership roles at our largest agency, GSW.  There, she founded an innovation practice fueled by the zeitgeist and spearheaded digital and innovation thinking across the business.

Leigh has taken a special interest in complex healthcare products that can change lives in meaningful ways. She was recently a strategic lead on the 3rd largest launch in pharmaceutical history: Tecfidera. Before that she had keys roles with Eli Lilly Oncology, Abbott Nutrition, Amgen Cardiovascular, and Eli Lilly Diabetes.

A critical part of Leigh’s work is trends and new ideas. Every year, she convenes a group of trend watchers from across our global network to identify the shifts most critical to healthcare marketers. This year, she led over 250 experts to experts to focus on the most important changes in the commercial, consumer, marketing, digital and healthcare landscapes. (See reports at trends.health)

Leigh is a sought-after writer and speaker. Recognized as one of the most inspiring people in the pharmaceutical industry by PharmaVoice and Top 10 Innovation Catalysts of 2017 by MM&M, Leigh also was recognized  as a Rising Star by the Healthcare Businesswomen's Association (HBA) for her overt passion, industry thought leadership and significant contributions in new business, strategy and mentoring.