Finalist
Pioneering evidence planning: exceeding expectations with agile, original solutions
Summary of work
Bedrock, an independent healthcare communications agency, partnered with Merck KGaA in 2024 to deliver the company’s first-ever integrated evidence plan (IEP). This was pivotal in transforming their approach to evidence generation. The challenge was ambitious: deliver a comprehensive IEP within 10 weeks for a product fast-tracked to Phase 3 in a rare disease unfamiliar to the client. With no existing framework, the initiative demanded agility, flexibility and innovation. Our objectives were twofold: to deliver the inaugural IEP to the Development Unit Leadership Team for endorsement, and to exceed expectations by creating a valuable, best-practice document that could be scaled across the organisation. Through a structured, stepwise approach, we differentiated between knowledge and evidence gaps, aligned cross-functional teams and introduced lean processes that overcame scheduling and resource challenges. Engagement and collaboration were central. Face-to-face workshops, asynchronous SharePoint reviews and proactive communications ensured inclusivity and efficiency. Positive feedback from senior stakeholders, including the Global Program Head and Development Unit Leadership Team, confirmed the IEP’s strategic value. The IEP not only exceeded expectations but also set a new precedent. It catalysed wide adoption across the organisation and demonstrated how agility and collaboration can drive sustainable transformation, strengthen pipelines and, ultimately, improve patient outcomes.
Judges’ comments
The entry from Merck and Bedrock provided a good process description. Increased demands for quality, impactful data across multiple sources and stakeholders, as embodied in the IEG concept, is critical to underpin progress and better patient outcomes. This was a great example of driving such an approach, and successfully delivering a fundamental shift in capability and mindset that secured this integrated package of data that has strong buy-in and ownership.
