THE BRIEF

The client had recently undergone a strategic shift, segmenting its CDMO activities from its Biosimilars development & commercialization. With operations relocating to Switzerland, the business faced a “leadership vacuum” at a pivotal moment.

• The Risk: Without a CTO, decision-making and operational continuity were stalling, influencing stakeholder confidence and delivery timelines.
• The Constraint: The candidate had to be based in Switzerland. In a niche market where 90% of the talent pool required relocation, the search was technically and geographically restricted.
• The Challenge: Parsity’s mission was to prove, with data, what high-quality candidates were available in the global market.

THE SEARCH METHODOLOGY

We didn’t just approach “active” candidates; we mapped the “passive” market, including unique profiles from adjacent sectors.

• Deep Mapping: We identified and mapped more than 140 global leads, leveraging our existing “warm” relationships from prior Biosimilar mandates.
• The Strategic Hook: We pitched the role not as a “vacancy,” but as a chance to build a legacy ahead of the upcoming biologics patent cliff. We framed Polpharma Biologics as a forward-thinking “builder” environment, which resonated with high-level passive talent.
• Agile Consultation: As we monitored market feedback, we helped Polpharma Biologics “sharpen” the brief. We shifted the focus from pure seniority to agility and hands-on execution, ensuring the final shortlist was culturally aligned with the new Swiss structure.

THE OUTCOME

The search provided Polpharma Biologics’ leadership and Board with a transparent, evidence-based view of the global talent landscape, ultimately validating their final decision with comprehensive market data.

• Shortlist Quality: We delivered a focused shortlist of 6 high-calibre finalists, each thoroughly vetted against the technical and cultural requirements of the new Swiss structure.
• Process Integrity: Our detailed candidate packs and structured reporting provided the Board with the necessary documentation to confirm that the appointment resulted from a comprehensive, objective global search.
• Operational Continuity: The successful placement has secured leadership stability for Polpharma Biologics’ development programs, positioning them to capitalise on upcoming biologics “patent cliff” opportunities.