With more than 18 years of experience in the pharmaceutical sector, Dr. Shlomo Sadoun stands out as a knowledgeable entrepreneur. He is the Co-Founder and CEO of SK-Pharma Group, a global pharmaceutical company operating in over 18 countries, specializing in producing and marketing generic, specialty pharma, hybrid generics, and biosimilar pharmaceutical products. Dr. Sadoun also serves as the CEO of Arphio, an orphan drug company utilizing a unique proprietary technology to promote, market, and sell orphan drugs worldwide.
His extensive background revolves around utilizing technology to enhance and redefine business processes. Dr. Sadoun has successfully established a global strategic alliance with over 200 innovative and technology-driven companies. SK-Pharma has launched over 300 products worldwide, many of which were pioneering and branded. Dr. Sadoun’s ability to swiftly and effectively leverage technological features has propelled his organization to become the fastest-growing pharmaceutical group in Israel and beyond. He holds a Master’s degree in Global Management from Salford University and a Doctorate in Business Administration from the Royal Academy of Economics and Technology in Switzerland, with a focus on public health.
As the CEO of Arphio and SK-Pharma, Dr. Sadoun’s responsibilities include advanced planning, talent recruitment, problem-solving, opportunity identification, and team management. He seeks hidden opportunities within the landscape by applying disruptive or 4D thinking. He fosters a culturally comfortable and competitive environment, encouraging innovation and passion for work. His activities involve yearly forecast planning, comparing predictions to executions, business mitigation meetings, competition intelligence collections, and strategic discussions to enhance essential business units.
Dr. Shlomo Sadoun’s journey exemplifies the power of fortitude, diligence, and a dedicated commitment to overcoming challenges. Through exemplary guidance and unwavering advocacy, he has brought about significant transformation in the pharmaceutical arena, inspiring those aspiring to follow in his footsteps. No wonder why he has been recognized as one of “The 10 Most Innovative CEOs to Follow in 2024.”
Definition of Success
For Dr. Sadoun, success is synonymous with achieving outstanding results efficiently. To delve deeper, he experiences a sense of accomplishment when his disruptive ideas transform into impactful solutions that surpass existing alternatives. In his words: “I feel that succeeding in missions is part of our day-to-day life activities; doing things that apply a curious quotient that challenges the status quo and succeeding in pursuing them translates from my end to success.”
Arphio and SK-Pharma: Revolutionizing Healthcare Globally
Arphio, a dedicated orphan drug company, aims to extend critical treatments to patients suffering from neglected diseases worldwide, excluding the United States. With approximately 10% of the global population grappling with rare diseases and half of these patients being children, Arphio’s commitment is epitomized by the slogan, “Rare but not alone.” Driven by the belief that treatment for neglected diseases is insufficient beyond the US and major developed countries, Arphio’s team relentlessly pursues reaching every rare disease patient, transcending geographical, color, and ethnic boundaries.
SK-Pharma, the swiftest-growing pharmaceutical company in the GCC, CIS, and the Balkan region distinguishes itself through a tech-driven approach. SK-Pharma has redefined the pharmaceutical landscape by boasting high-value technological features integrated into over 90% of its operations. Guided by a patient-centric philosophy, the company embraces precision medicine and disruptive business solutions in a traditionally conservative field. This strategic blend provides SK-Pharma with a competitive advantage, positioning it as an industry leader in the countries it serves.
Driven by Purpose: The Genesis of Arphio and SK-Pharma
“What inspired me to establish Arphio was the fact that only 8% of rare diseases have some kind of treatment to date,” shares Dr. Shlomo Sadoun. Motivated by a desire to address unmet needs, this competent industry expert leverages his extensive professional experience and robust network in the field to make a meaningful impact on patients and caregivers. With a specialized Business Doctoral Degree in public health, he conducted groundbreaking research on the successful launch of orphan drugs, laying the foundation for the “six pillars of orphan drugs success.” This innovative methodology evolved into the proprietary software “The Compass,” which was exclusively employed by Arphio to optimize performance and expedite rare disease patient journeys. Dr. Sadoun’s commitment extends beyond Arphio, as evidenced by the family-inherited operation in CIS under SK-Pharma. Here, the team continually learns and evolves, driven by a passion for the pharmaceutical field and a dedication to values centered around helping those in need.
For Dr. Sadoun, the pharmaceutical industry isn’t just a profession; it’s a calling that aligns with his core values. Seeking purpose beyond mere business success, he founded SK-Pharma to create a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals facing unmet medical needs.
Navigating Challenges with a Smile
Dr. Sadoun, known for his astute leadership, shares his perspective on overcoming obstacles with a smile, often emphasizing, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” Recognizing that making mistakes is inherent to human development, he sees them as acceptable as long as they are not repetitive and serve as learning experiences for future business endeavors.
This skilled business strategist views problems as opportunities, urging his teams to adopt a similar mindset when facing hurdles. Drawing from numerous unprecedented successes born out of challenges in his career, he imparts valuable lessons. These include staying laser-focused on core values, avoiding abrupt turns, prioritizing timely and disciplined actions, and opting for thoughtful solutions over improvisation. Dr. Sadoun urges, “Don’t hesitate to have a professional thinking group if needed; standing behind your decisions has proved valuable in managing problems.”
Expertise That Fuels the Growth of Arphio and SK-Pharma
Dr. Sadoun’s illustrious 18-year career in the industry serves as a testament to his unique blend of academic acumen and practical application, propelling the remarkable success of Arphio and SK-Pharma. With a foundation built on rigorous higher education, including Master’s and Doctoral Degrees aligned with his business domain, he has intricately honed a meticulous approach to examining and executing business initiatives. The confluence of theoretical knowledge and real-world experiences has empowered him to navigate disruptive ideas practically. As a strategic leader, he steered the companies through the transformative waves of the AI and ML revolution, shaping their functions and business units accordingly. Dr. Sadoun’s extensive network, cultivated through years of business travel and active participation in industry conferences, emerges as a linchpin for overcoming challenges, notably demonstrated during the resilience exhibited amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Fueled by adept time management, he executed ambitious plans effectively and propelled the companies toward rapid growth, guided by a clear vision, well-defined goals, and steadfast objectives.
Strategic Approach for Fostering a Culture of Integrity and Innovation
At the core of both Arphio and SK is a robust commitment to cultivating a professional and resilient team, underscoring the paramount importance of integrity from the ground up. From the most straightforward tasks to the loftiest endeavors, an unwavering dedication to business ethics, quality, social responsibilities, dignity, and teamwork permeates every facet of these two organizations. The CEO meticulously incorporates these principles into the recruitment process, ensuring new team members share and align with the company’s values and overarching vision. Moreover, the companies appoint technological ambassadors in innovation to collaborate with various business units, actively proposing how contemporary technological advancements can enhance ongoing and future activities. Driven by the understanding that innovation is synonymous with survival in today’s competitive technological landscape, Dr. Sadoun places significant emphasis on recruiting individuals with a technical orientation or background. His recurring observation reinforces that sustained success necessitates a steadfast commitment to innovation in the ever-evolving technological milieu.
Early Entrepreneurial Prowess: Life Before SK-Pharma and Arphio
Before venturing into SK-Pharma and Arphio, Dr. Shlomo Sadoun initiated his venture into the business domain at a remarkably young age. At the tender age of six, he demonstrated a natural flair for business by selling ice cream, utilizing funds provided by his mother. This early exposure to commerce laid the foundation for his keen orientation to business intricacies. Despite his youth, Dr. Sadoun and his wife founded SK-Pharma when he was only 23, marking the inception of his entrepreneurial career. Grounded in the educational experiences of Israel and fortified by three years of Air Force military service, he attributes these formative years to shaping his disciplines and life perspectives, which continue to guide him to this day. Highlighting the significance of being at the right place and time with the right knowledge, Dr. Sadoun underlines the essence of seizing business opportunities while simultaneously cherishing the journey.
Ascending the Leadership Ladder: Dr. Sadoun’s Journey to Mentorship Mastery
Dr. Sadoun feels that “To be a leader, you have to be fast climbing the ladder,” highlighting the significance of swift progression fueled by peer recognition, a robust professional network, and employee acknowledgment. He sees the leader’s evolution from a successful
manager to a mentor, noting that while an excellent manager can effectively oversee a handful of people, a mentor can impact an endless number of employees who embody the mentoring spirit. This accomplished veteran acknowledges the ongoing transformation he perceives in himself, humbly recognizing the gradual path to achieving his mentorship goals. Furthermore, he shares that community feedback on his disruptive business initiatives reflects a broader and more diversified contribution to the company’s growth.
Vision for Technological Innovation and Business Success
Dr. Sadoun envisions contributing to developing the next generation of leaders by emphasizing the transformative role of cutting-edge technologies in the business landscape. He believes in leveraging these evolving technologies to streamline the path to success, encouraging leaders to stay attuned to the world’s technological shifts. This skilled corporate leader advocates for a proactive approach, recognizing that embracing technological advancements can enhance business productivity and foster organizational creativity. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining business integrity, setting ambitious goals, and avoiding conformity. “Implementing technological innovation cross-organizationally is a key catalyst for the company’s success,” as stated by Dr. Sadoun.
His guidance encourages aspiring leaders to nurture their ideas and power through continuous learning and focus on connecting the dots to complete the whole picture. In his words: “Connecting the dots and manifesting a tangible success picture will drive you to achieve your goals.” Dr. Sadoun accentuates the significance of envisioning success, mentally running through the steps, and reverse engineering a practical plan. According to him, success lies in being unique, committed to the process, and inspiring unconditional support from the team to pursue the company’s success.
What’s in store for Arphio and SK-Pharma!
This experienced entrepreneur is on a mission to drive advancements in healthcare through innovative reforms and novel business methods, aiming to foster cross-functional improvements. The strategic focus involves integrating more technological features into the conventional pharmaceutical landscape. From intelligent detection and diagnostic applications to refining phenotyping for tailor-made treatments through personalized medicine, the goal is to combine optimal safety and efficacy treatment with consideration for the patient’s lifestyle and daily activities. Emphasizing the crucial shift towards patient-centricity, where more responsibility is placed on patients than physicians, he strongly asserts, “Precision medicine and patient-centric approach will lead the pharmaceutical future,” proliferate way beyond the traditional oncological segment. Recognizing the pressing need for customized solutions for prevalent diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular, and cholesterol management, Dr. Sadoun manifests a bright future for the company, patients, and caregivers benefiting from the ongoing technological revolution.
Balancing Act: Approach to Personal and Professional Fulfillment
Dr. Sadoun seamlessly integrates his personal and professional life, maintaining a balance that fuels both his individual well-being and the success of his companies. A dedicated fitness enthusiast, he commits to exercising six times a week in the gym, attributing the routine to keeping him mentally sharp and physically fit for business challenges. This adept professional strategically schedules his training sessions in the morning, harnessing the prolonged effects of elevated dopamine levels throughout the day. His approach to work extends beyond a mere job, viewing it as a life mission that brings gratitude and excitement, especially considering the global impact and contribution to people’s lives.
Embracing the motto “work hard, play harder,” Dr. Sadoun instills this ethos in his companies, maintaining high expectations for business results while prioritizing optimal conditions and employee well-being. He goes above and beyond by organizing luxurious company trips annually, treating employees to the best hotels worldwide, with access to gym facilities and healthy nutrition. His emphasis on creating a familial atmosphere rather than a corporate one translates into heightened employee engagement and better performance, reinforcing that success goes beyond material gains.
Personal Goals and Guidance for Executive Leaders
This adroit business stalwart articulates a profound personal goal centered on evolving into a pure mentor leader, envisioning the values accumulated through his 18 years of career and studies transforming into a community committed to advancing beyond conventional healthcare solutions. His genuine aspiration is grounded in a tangible plan and active engagement, focusing on fostering collaboration between tech and pharmaceutical companies to leverage the ongoing technological revolution for enhanced healthcare accessibility. Driven by urgency, he aims to lead this transformative trend and build bridges between these two industries. Despite the enormity of the task, Dr. Sadoun is motivated by the prospect of witnessing more innovative and disruptive leaders who share his vision for a better healthcare future. His advice to aspiring executives includes performing their activities uniquely, maintaining cross-functional quality, spicing technology and innovation into every facet of their work, ensuring practical applicability within a reasonable timeframe, and recognizing the climactic role of talent in making impactful progress.
Future Horizons: Dr. Shlomo Sadoun’s Vision for Healthcare in 2040
Anticipating a profound shift from physician-centricity to patient-centricity, Dr. Shlomo Sadoun, an astute industry leader, envisions a transformative healthcare landscape in 2040. Foreseeing a shift from physician-centric to patient-centric care, he observes a current trend in Belgium, where 28% of prescription drugs are patient-requested before doctor consultations. This patient empowerment is set to escalate with readily available professional information and tools like ChatGPT for self-diagnosis. Dr. Sadoun anticipates even more powerful AI models like ChatGPT4, revolutionizing smartphone diagnostics for early disease detection, surpassing traditional methods. Genomic information accessed through simple phone swab tests is predicted to customize treatments for over 50% of the diseases based on individual genetic sequences. Home healthcare is set to rise, reducing hospital services due to self-diagnosis and remote treatments. Dr. Sadoun envisages personalized treatments for non-communicable diseases, promising enhanced efficacy and safety. The future holds accelerated product development, reduced research errors, and improved trial efficiency through advanced AI, ultimately supporting new treatment development that elevate patients’ longevity and quality of life.
