>>Welcome to this IBM Watson health client conversation here. We're probing the dynamics of the relationship between IBM and its clients. And we're looking back, we're going to explore the present. We're going to discuss the future state of healthcare. My name is Dave Volante from the Cuban with me are Robert Stell horn. Who's associate director, H E O R at sukha, otherwise known as pharmaceuticals, America and Rena Felton. Who's with of course, IBM Watson health. Welcome folks. Great to have you. Hi, so like strong relationships, as we know, they're the foundation of any partnership. And of course over the past year, we've had to rely on both personal and professional relationships to get us through some of the most challenging times, if not the most challenging times of our lives. So let me start with you, Robert, how has the partnership with IBM helped you in 2020? >>I think it was just a continuation of the excellent relationship we have with Rena and IBM. Um, starting in March, we had really a shift to an all remote, uh, workplace environment. And I think that constant communication with Rina and IBM helped that situation because she kept us up to date with, uh, additional products and offerings. And basically we came up with some additional solutions towards the end of the year. So we're gonna watch >>Pick it up from here. Let's go, let's go a little bit deeper and maybe you can talk about some of the things that you've done with Robert and his team and, and maybe some of the accomplishments that you're most proud of in 2020. >>No, absolutely. And I have to kind of echo what you first said about the foundation and our partnerships being the foundation, um, of our past present and future. So I do want to take the opportunity to thank Rob again for joining us today. It is, um, I know, you know, with his kids home and remote learning, um, it's a lot, uh, to, to ask in addition to, you know, your day to day work. So, so thank you, Rob. Um, I guess the question that I have for you is what would be the greatest accomplishment, um, that Watseka and IBM Watson had in 2020? >>I would say it was the addition of the linked claims EMR data, the LDCD product that we were able to license in-house, uh, thanks to your attention and to show the advantages and the strengths of that data. We are able to license that in to our, uh, set up assets we have internally. And what that's gonna allow us to do is really find out more information about the patients. Uh, we're existing users of the Mark IBM, uh, market scan data. Um, this is going to allow us to tie into those same patients and find out more about them. Um, in particular, uh, a lot of our products are in the mental health space and a lot about standing questions we have are why are the patients getting different products? And with the notes are available in that link data. We're going to now be able to tap into more information about what is happening with the patient. >>Okay. Can I ask a question on that? Um, if you guys don't mind, I mean, you know, when you, when you hear about, you know, uh, EMR, uh, in the early days, it was a lot about meaningful use and getting paid. It sounds like you guys are taking it much deeper and as a, as a, you know, as an individual, right, you're, you're really happy to hear that this information is now going to be used to really improve, uh, healthcare is, do I have that right? Is that, you know, kind of the nature of where you guys are headed? >>Well, I think ultimately it's the, the, the, the main goal is to help the patients and provide the products that can really, um, help them in their daily lives. So, um, really with this data, now, we're going to be able to tap into more of the why, um, exist in claims data. We cannot really get that information, why VC information, about what diagnoses they incurred during their treatment history. And we also can see, uh, different prescriptions that are given to them, but now we're going to be able to tie that together and get more understanding to really see more focused treatment pattern for them. >>So, Reno, w w you sit down with Rob, do you have like a, sort of a planning session for 2021? Why don't you sort of bring us up to, uh, to what your thinking is there and how you guys are working together this year? >>Yeah, no, absolutely. Um, actually, before we get to that, I wanted to kind of add onto what Rob was saying as well. It's interesting given, you know, the pandemic in 2020 and what the LCD data is going to do, um, to really be able to look back. And as Rob mentioned, looking specifically at mental health, the ability to look back and start looking at the patients and what it's really done to our community and what it's really done to our country, um, and looking at patients, you know, looking back at, at sort of their, their patient journey and where we are today. Um, but Rob and I talk all the time, we talk all the time, we probably talk three or four times a day sometimes. So I would say, um, we, we text, uh, we do talk and have a lot of our strategic, um, sessions, uh, our outlook for 2021 and what the data strategy is for Otsuka. Um, in addition, additional data assets to acquire from IBM, as well as how can we sort of leverage brander IBM, um, assets like our red hat, our OpenShift, our cloud-based solutions. So, you know, Rob and I are constantly talking and we are, um, looking for new ways to bring in new solutions into Otsuka. Um, and you know, yeah, we, we, we talk a lot. What do you think, Rob? >>I think we have an excellent partnership. Uh, basically, um, I think their relationship there is excellent. Um, we have excellent communication and, you know, I find when there's situations where I may be a bind Reno's is able to help out instantly. Um, so it's, it's really a two way street and it's an excellent partnership. >>I wonder if I could double click on that. I mean, relative to maybe some of your, I mean, I'm sure you have lots of relationships with lots of different companies, but, but what makes it excellent specifically with regard to IBM? Is there, is there anything unique Rob, that stands out to you? >>It would be the follow-up, um, really, it's not just about, uh, delivering the data and say, okay, here you have your, your product work with it in basically the, the, the vendor disappears, it's the constant followup to make sure that it's being used in any way they can help and provide more information to really extract the full value out of it. >>So I'm gonna forget to ask you guys, maybe each of you, you know, both personally and professionally, I feel like, you know, 20, 20 never ended it just sort of blended in, uh, and, and, but some things have changed. We all talk about, geez, what's going to be permanent. How have you each been affected? Um, how has it helped you position for, for what's coming in in the years ahead, maybe Reena, you could start and then pick it up with, with Rob. >>Oh man. Um, you know, 2020 was definitely challenging and I think it was really challenging given the circumstances and in my position where I'm very much used to meeting with our customers and having lunch and really just kind of walking down the hallways and bumping into familiar faces and really seeing, you know, how we can provide value with our solutions. And so, you know, that was all stripped in 2020. Uh, so it's been, it's been quite challenging. I will say, working with Rob, working with some of my other customers, um, I've had, uh, I've had to learn the resilience and to be a little bit more relentless with phone calls and follow ups and, and being more agile in my communications with the customers and what their needs are, and be flexible with calendars because there's again, remote learning and, and, um, and the like, so I think, you know, positioned for 2021 really well. Um, I am excited to hopefully get back out there and start visiting our customers. But if not, I certainly learned a lot and just, um, the follow-up and again, the relentless phone calls and calling and checking up on our customers, even if it's just to say, hi, see how everyone's doing a mental check sometimes. So I think that's, that's become, um, you know, what 2020 was, and, and hopefully, you know, what, 2021 will be better and, uh, kind of continue on that, that relentless path. >>What do you think, Rob? Hi, how are you doing? >>I would echo a lot of Rina's thoughts and the fact of, yeah, definitely miss the in-person interaction. In fact, I will say that I remember the last time I was physically in the office that Scott, it was to meet with Rina. So I distinctively remember that they remember the date was March, I believe, March 9th. So it just shows how this year as has been sort of a blur, but at the same time, you remember certain milestones. And I think it's because of that relationship, um, we've developed with IBM that I can remember those distinctive milestones and events that took place. >>So Rob, I probably should have asked you upfront, maybe tell us a little bit about Alaska, uh, maybe, maybe give us the sort of quick soundbite on where you guys are mostly focused. Sure. >>Oh, it's guys, uh, a Japanese pharmaceutical company. The focus is in mental health and nephrology, really the two main business areas. Um, my role at guys to do the internal research and data analytics within the health economics and outcomes research group. Um, currently we are transitioned to a, uh, name, which is global value and real world evidence. Um, fact that transition is already happened. Um, so we're going to have more of a global presence going forward. Um, but my role is really to, uh, do the internal research across all the brands within the company. >>So, so Rena, I wonder this, thank you for that, Robert. I wonder if you could think, thinking about what you know about Scott and your relationship with Robin, your knowledge of, of the industry. Uh, there's so much that IBM can bring to the table. Rob was talking about data earlier, talking about EMR, you were talking about, you know, red hat and cloud and this big portfolio you have. So I wonder if you could sort of start a conversation for our audience just around how you guys see all those assets that you have and all the knowledge, all that data. How do you see the partnership evolving in the future to affect, uh, the industry and the, in the future of healthcare? >>Well, I would love to see, um, the entire, uh, uh, platform, um, shift to, to the IBM cloud, um, and certainly, you know, leverage the cloud pack and analytics that, that we have to offer, um, baby steps most definitely. Um, but I do think that there is, uh, the opportunity to really move, um, and transform the business into something a lot more than, than what it is. >>Rob has the pandemic effected sort of how you think about, um, you know, remote services and cloud services and the, like, were you already on the path headed there? Did accelerate things, have you, you know, have you not had time because things have been so busy or maybe you could comment? >>Yeah, I think it's really a combination. And so I think you hit on a, a fair point there, just the time, uh, aspect. Um, it's definitely been a challenge and your, um, I have two children and remote learning has definitely been a challenge from that perspective. So time has definitely been, uh, on the short side. Um, I do see that there are going to in the future be more and more users of the data. So I think that shift to a potential cloud environment is where things are headed. >>So we, I have a bunch more questions, but I want to step back for a second and see if there's anything that you'd like to ask Rob before I go onto my next section. Okay. So I wonder if you could think about, um, maybe both of you, the, the, when you think back on, on 2020 and all the, you know, what's transpired, what, what transitions did you guys have to make? Uh, maybe as a team together IBM and Alaska. Um, and, and, and what do you see as sort of permanent or semi-permanent is work from home? We're gonna going to continue at a higher rate, uh, are there new practice? I mean, I know just today I made an online appointment it's for a remote visit with my doctor, which never could have happened before the pandemic. Right. But are there things specific to your business and your relationship that you see as a transition that could be permanent or semi-permanent? >>Well, I, I think it's there, there's definitely a shift that's happened that will is here to stay, but I don't know if it's full, it's going to be a combination in the future. I think that in-person interactions, especially what Rena mentioned about having that face-to-face interaction is still going to be one things are in the right place and safe they're going to happen again. But I think the ability to show that work can happen in a virtual or a full remote workplace, that's going to just allow that to continue and really give the flex of people. The flexibility I know for myself, flexibility is key. Like I mentioned, with two small children, um, that, that, that becomes such a valuable addition to your work, your life and your work life in general, that I think that's here to stay. >>Okay. Um, so let me ask you this, uh, w one of the themes of this event is relentless re-invention. So what I'm hearing from you Rob, is that it kind of a hybrid model going forward, if you will, uh, maybe the option to work from home, but that face to face interaction, especially when you're creating things like you are in the pharmaceutical business and the deep R and D that collaborative aspect, you know, you, it's harder when you're, when, when, when you're remote. Um, but maybe you could talk about, you know, some of those key areas that you're, you're going to be focused on in 2021 and, and really where you would look for IBM to help. >>I think in 2021, the team I'm part of it, part of is, is growing. So I think there's going to be additional demand for internal research, uh, uh, capabilities for analysis done within the company. So I think I'm going to be looking to Rena to, uh, see what new data offerings are available and all what new products are going to be available. But beyond that, um, I think it's the potential that, you know, there's so much, uh, projects, um, that are going to be coming to the table. We may need to outsource some of that projects and IBM could be potentially be a partner there to do some of the analysis on to help out there. >>Anything you'd add. >>Uh, no, I think that, that sounds good. >>How would you grade IBM and your relationship with IBM Rob? >>Well, I have to be nice to Rina cause she's been very nice to me. I would say an a, an a plus >>My kids, I got kids in college. Several, they get A's, I'm happy. Oh, that's good. You know, you should be proud. So, congratulations. Um, anything else Reno, you give you, I'll give you a last word here before we wrap, >>You know, 2020 was, was a challenging. And, you know, we talked a little bit about, you know, what time in 2020, you know, Rob and I have always had a really good relationship. I think 2020, we got closer, um, with just both professionally and really diving in to key business challenges that they have, and really working with him to understand what the customer needs are and how we can help, not only from, you know, an HR perspective, but also how can we help Otsuka, um, as a company in, in totality. So, you know, we've been able to do that, but personally, I would say that I really appreciated the relationship. I mean, we can go from talking about work to talking about children, to talking about family, um, all in the same five minute conversation or 10 minute conversation, sometimes our conversation. So, you know, thank you, Rob 2020 was definitely super challenging. >>I know for you on so many levels. Um, but I have to say you've been really great at just showing up every time picked up the phone, asked questions. If I needed something I can call you, I knew you were going to pick up, I had an offering and be like, do you have 10 minutes? Can I share this with you? And you would pick up the phone, no problem, and entertain a call or set up a call with all your internal colleagues. And I, I appreciate that so much. And, you know, I appreciate our relationship. I appreciate the business and I, I do hope that we can continue on in 2021, we will continue on in 2021. Uh, but, um, but yeah, I thank you so much. >>Rain has been extremely helpful. I don't want to thank you for all the help. Um, just to add to that one point there, you know, we have, uh, also another product, which I forgot to mention that we licensed in from IBM, it's the treatment pathways, um, tool, which is an online tool. Um, and we have users throughout the globe. So there's been times where I've needed a new user added very quickly for someone in the home office in Japan. And Rena has been extremely helpful in getting things done quickly and very proactively. >>Well, guys, it's really clear that the depth of your relationship I'm interested that you actually got closer in 2020. Uh, the fact that you communicate, you know, several times a day is I think Testament to that relationship. Uh, I'm really pleased to hear what you're doing and the potential with the EMR data for patient outcomes. Uh, as I say in the early days, I used to hear all about how well you have to do that to get paid. And it's really great to see a partnership that's, that's really focused on, on, on patient health and, and changing our lives. So, and mental health is such an important area that for so many years was so misunderstood and the, and the data that we now have, and of course, IBM's heritage and data is key. Uh, the relationship and the follow-up and also the flexibility is, is something I think we all learned in 2020, we have to, we've kind of redefined, you know, resilience in our organizations and, uh, glad to see you guys are growing. Congratulations on the relationship. And thanks so much for spending some time with me. >>Thank you. Thank you, Dave. Thank you, Raina >>For watching this client conversation with IBM Watson health.