Sanofi's PharmUp Platform Holds First Meeting in Collaboration with Fark Labs

Sanofi's PharmUp platform, designed to support innovation in health technologies, held its first meeting in Istanbul in collaboration with Fark Labs.

Since 2019, PharmUp has supported innovative ideas that will create added value in the healthcare sector; while offering mentoring, training and acceleration programmes to entrepreneurs, it aims to create a sustainable innovation ecosystem bringing together public sector, private sector, investors and academia. In line with this vision, the meeting addressed healthcare technology transformation from a multi-stakeholder perspective.

Healthcare transformation through strategic partnerships
The meeting, attended by Presidency Investment and Finance Office Head A. Burak Dağlıoğlu, Sanofi Eurasia Regional Head Cem Öztürk and Fark Labs Founder Ahu Serter, brought together numerous representatives from public sector, private sector and entrepreneurship ecosystem.
 
Opening the programme, Sanofi Eurasia Regional Head Cem Öztürk noted that PharmUp is not merely an acceleration programme but a strategic platform aimed at generating sustainable value in healthcare, stating:
 
"Healthcare transformation is no longer a process that can be achieved by a single institution or sector alone. Rising burden of chronic disease, an ageing population and sustainability pressures on systems show that we need a more integrated, faster and more collaborative model. This is precisely why we hold PharmUp meetings: to bring all stakeholders of the health ecosystem to the same table and create a platform where ideas are not only discussed but jointly designed, tested and scaled. Our goal is not only to support innovative ventures but to bring these ideas to the field and create real, measurable impact. We aim to contribute to a sustainable structure for health innovation in Turkey."

Presidency Investment and Finance Office Head A. Burak Dağlıoğlu, emphasizing the PharmUp platform's aim to strengthen innovation in healthcare, made the following assessment:

"The healthcare sector is undergoing a fundamental transformation at both local and global levels. This transformation, shaped by digitalisation, data-driven approaches and innovative business models, is increasing the importance of sustainable and value-creating partnerships with each passing day. All stakeholders of the health ecosystem coming together around a shared vision is a critical requirement for innovation to transform into lasting and measurable outputs.

I believe the PharmUp platform, by encouraging strategic partnerships, will accelerate the development of health innovation in Turkey and concrete projects emerging here will create competitive strength at global scale. Public sector, private sector, academia and entrepreneurs working in coordination forms the foundation for faster, more inclusive and more effective healthcare transformation. As the Presidency Investment and Finance Office, we will continue to resolutely support any initiative that strengthens our country's innovative potential in healthcare and aims to generate value at international scale."

Fark Labs Founder Ahu Serter shared her assessment titled "Investment Portfolio Perspective on Innovation", stating "We are moving from a network where we optimise machines to a network where we optimise people. While health technologies occupy the centre of this transformation, we see that progress is possible not by running alone but by walking together. Our investment experience spanning from automotive to healthcare showed us this: though sectors change, the problems we solve are common; and learning transfer between these areas creates a powerful lever. Turkey's real strength lies in developing entrepreneurs who share risks and return their global successes as reinvestment in their own ecosystem. Because the future belongs to well-organised optimists. We are designing all our work implemented as part of our collaboration with Sanofi with precisely this vision."

Public sector, academia and investment world at the same table
During the "Best Practice Examples – Institution & Venture Partnerships" session held within the event; Fark Labs Founder Ahu Serter, MENE Health Group CEO Şule Mene, MobiQu Co-Founder Selçuk Koçhan, Sanofi Eurasia Established Products Director Gözde Haksal, Corpal Health Founder Göksel Çinier and Reprai Co-Founder Didem Aral shared their assessments. During the "Innovation in the Health Ecosystem" panel moderated by Selcen Uyguntüzel; Ministry of Industry and Technology Deputy Director General Dr. Damla Turan, TUSEB TTO Director Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zeliha Özdemir Köken and Boğaziçi University Chief Sustainability Officer and RS Research Founder Prof. Dr. Rana Sanyal took part as speakers.

In the final part of the programme, ventures supported under the PharmUp platform took the stage and presented their solutions to investors and sector representatives. The event concluded with a networking session bringing entrepreneurs and investors together.