Thriving Through Real-World Impact: Our Journey With the GSK Independent Study Project

When we embarked on the GSK Independent Study Project (ISP) as part of our MBA, we anticipated a transformative journey but didn’t fully grasp the extent of our personal and professional growth.

Collaborating with industry leaders at GSK to develop innovative strategies for treatments that have the potential to transform patient lives, we are not only applying our knowledge but also expanding it in ways that bring theory to life.

This project, offered to students by the INSEAD Career Development Center, is led by GSK leaders who exemplify the company’s core value of uniting innovation and talent to get ahead of disease. Sally Hodgson, General Manager of GSK Finland, and Francesco Bracotti, INSEAD MBA'23J, lead the initiative, holding us accountable for impact. 

At its core, the ISP focuses on integrating digital and traditional approaches to enhance the haematology patient journey across Northwest Europe. 

Eline Madelpuech, INSEAD MBA'25J, shares: "Working as a medical doctor in a COVID-19 ward during my first year of residency profoundly shaped my perspective on patient care and the reliance of healthcare professionals on laboratories that invest in R&D to deliver essential medications. 

Collaboration across disciplines—bringing together motivated professionals with diverse expertise—is the catalyst for innovation and a truly patient-focused approach. 

This ISP presents an invaluable opportunity to learn from each other and contribute meaningfully.

Having worked in both hospital and city clinic settings in Belgium, I have witnessed firsthand the critical need to address patient needs and eliminate bottlenecks in their care journey. These experiences reinforce the importance of designing strategies that drive real impact for patients.”

Alankrita Yadav, MBA'25J adds: “I started my career in consulting, but personal circumstances motivated me to transition into healthcare—an unexpected shift that became one of the best decisions of my career. It opened my eyes to how innovation can drive meaningful change, not just in business but in the lives of millions.

At INSEAD, I initially thought staying connected to the healthcare sector would be challenging, given that it isn’t a primary focus for most business schools. 

Then I came across the GSK ISP—and of course, I had to dive in. It has been an incredible opportunity to explore new ideas and geographies while leveraging my experience at Abbott. Collaborating with professionals from all over Europe, I am applying my expertise in strategy and consulting to ensure that innovation translates into real patient impact.”

“As Co-President of the INSEAD Healthcare Club, I am incredibly excited and grateful to both INSEAD and GSK for this incredible opportunity", says Wafa Walid. 

"This project not only allows students to apply business strategies to real-world healthcare challenges but also provides valuable networking opportunities with industry leaders. The omnichannel marketing space, which has rapidly evolved into one of the most dynamic ways to engage with Healthcare Professionals (HCPs), plays a critical role, especially as we navigate the post-COVID landscape."

The need for adaptable, multi-touchpoint strategies has never been greater.

Over the years, I have worked with omnichannel engagement strategies for medical information and scientific communication, particularly in support of Medical Affairs teams. This project offers a unique opportunity to explore the commercial side of omnichannel strategies, with a fresh perspective on how these techniques can be tailored and optimized to meet the objectives of both scientific and commercial functions.”

Although we are still in the project, the learning curve has been both steep and rewarding. We have started identifying areas for strategic focus, and the experience is already enhancing our ability to think holistically about healthcare and develop tangible solutions for patients.

The GSK team provides strong support, with leaders from various countries contributing valuable insights. These ongoing discussions enrich our understanding of key challenges and opportunities in haematology. 

A highlight of the initiative is the opportunity to present our report to GSK’s senior leadership—a significant milestone and a valuable experience for MBA students. This platform enables us to showcase our work and offers critical feedback and networking opportunities with influential healthcare leaders, enhancing both the impact of the project and our professional growth.

Professor Chengyi Lin, INSEAD Affiliate Professor of Strategy and renowned for his expertise in digital strategy, innovation, and organisational transformation within the context of global and multinational corporations, emphasised:

  “Active, applied, and experiential learning has always been the soul of INSEAD classes. 

"Magic happens when our alumni, such as Francesco Bracotti among others, bring back the real-world challenges to our MBAs, and when our students take them on with the mentorship from our faculty.”  

He also said: “The process of contextualising the knowledge and improving the recommendations through collaborations with senior executives makes learning more real and impactful. I am honoured to be the sponsor of many similar projects in the past years and excited to see the outcome of this partnership with GSK.”

Applying classroom knowledge to a real-world project is a cornerstone of this ISP, exemplifying the academic rigour and practical focus of the INSEAD experience. Courses such as Introduction to Strategy, Market Driving Strategies, and Managing Customer Value have enabled us to approach this project with a strong strategic mindset. 

Before INSEAD, we would not have been equipped to tackle such a challenge—but after a year of intensive learning, we can now apply these insights effectively.

By partnering with GSK, we are refining our professional skills and gaining exposure to real-world challenges faced by one of the world’s leading biopharmaceutical companies with strong momentum and big ambitions.

This ISP illustrates how INSEAD students can bridge the gap between academic study and industry practice, and we believe it plays a crucial role in fostering the next generation of leaders. This experience is shaping up to be a defining moment in our MBA journey: it’s a chance to make a tangible difference while honing the skills we will carry into our future careers, as the value one derives from the experience is just as much as academic elective classes.