Novotech, a global clinical research organization (CRO) and scientific advisory company, has been recognized for its achievements across three key areas of excellence: Diversity, Research and Development, and Marketing, in the 2025 Pharmaceutical Technology Excellence Awards, reflecting its ongoing efforts to foster inclusive leadership, advance scientific innovation, and implement innovative marketing strategies.
The Pharmaceutical Technology Excellence Awards celebrate the greatest achievements and innovations in the pharmaceutical industry. Powered by GlobalData’s business intelligence, the Awards recognize the people and companies that are driving change in the industry.
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Novotech won the Diversity award for its outstanding commitment to advancing gender representation and leadership within its global workforce. The company earned the R&D award for its partnership with Tune Therapeutics to launch a first in-human study evaluating an innovative gene-tuning approach for Hepatitis B. Novotech also received the Marketing award for its targeted ridesharing campaign which effectively enhanced brand visibility and client engagement among biotech and small to mid-size in the pharmaceutical professionals.
Advancing gender diversity in the pharmaceutical workforce
Novotech’s commitment to gender diversity is reflected not only in its workforce composition, but also in its leadership structure and organizational culture. With women representing 74% of its global workforce, Novotech significantly exceeds the industry benchmark, as highlighted by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency’s (WGEA) 2025 report, which places the industry average at a 42:58 female-to-male ratio. This strong representation of women is also evident at the leadership level, where 40% of senior roles are held by women. Notably, approximately 65% of leaders at the Associate Director level and above are women, underscoring the company’s dedication to cultivating female leadership at all levels.
Novotech’s approach to diversity is multifaceted. The company has implemented inclusive hiring and recruitment strategies, such as diverse interview panels and unconscious bias training for interviewers, to ensure fairness throughout the hiring process. A Gender Pay Gap Calculator is used for all offers to promote pay equity, and the company regularly hosts live gender pay gap updates to maintain transparency and accountability.
Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and support networks play a vital role in fostering an inclusive environment. Novotech is a member of the Proud Science Alliance (PSA) Asia-Pacific Chapter, which advances LGBTQI+ inclusion in the healthcare and life sciences sector. The company has also launched the Novotech Pride ANZ Group, with plans for global expansion, further strengthening its support for diversity.
Leadership development is another area of focus. Novotech’s First Line Leader training program, which includes a strong emphasis on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), is being expanded to all employees globally. This ensures consistent and fair leadership practices across all locations and teams. Additionally, Novotech’s senior leaders are geographically dispersed across Australia, China, Europe, Southeast Asia, and the U.S., which enhances accessibility and engagement with employees worldwide.
The company’s workplace policies reinforce its commitment to equity, with robust anti-discrimination measures, flexible work arrangements, and comprehensive benefits for all employees. Regular seminars and webinars on financial topics, such as superannuation and insurance, further empower employees. Novotech’s ongoing accreditation as a WGEA Employer of Choice for Gender Equality (EOCGE) since 2020 highlights its sustained efforts in this area.
Through these initiatives, Novotech has established a culture where diversity is not only recognized but actively promoted, creating an environment where women can thrive and advance into leadership roles.
We are honored and proud to receive the Diversity – Women Leadership Award. This recognition is especially meaningful because it reflects a core part of our identity: fostering a workplace where women are supported to lead, grow, and thrive with confidence. Our strong representation of female employees is a key aspect of what makes Novotech unique, and with women comprising 74% of our workforce and 40% of Executive leadership roles, we are proud to exceed industry benchmarks and champion female leadership at every level. This award affirms our belief that diverse leadership is not only essential to equity — it’s a driving force behind innovation, excellence, and real impact in clinical research.”
– Angela Edwardson, Global Chief People Officer
Pioneering epigenome editing research for chronic Hepatitis B
Novotech’s recognition in Research and Development is rooted in its innovative partnership with Tune Therapeutics, a leader in epigenome editing. Together, they are conducting a Phase 1b multicenter, open-label study to assess the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of Tune-401, a first-in-class epigenetic silencing therapy for Chronic Hepatitis B. This collaboration marks a significant milestone, as it is the first time epigenome editing technology is being applied to target a common infectious disease with the potential for a curative approach.
The partnership between Novotech and Tune Therapeutics is characterized by a flexible, open-collaboration model that leverages the unique strengths of each organization. Novotech’s regulatory expertise has been instrumental in securing approvals in multiple Asia-Pacific jurisdictions, while Tune Therapeutics contributes specialized medical knowledge and resources. This adaptive approach allows both organizations to operate as an integrated team, optimizing efficiency and effectiveness in executing complex clinical trials.
A key factor in the success of this initiative is Novotech’s extensive cross-continental network of clinical trial sites, particularly in regions where Chronic Hepatitis B is most prevalent, such as the Western Pacific. By establishing trial sites in New Zealand and Hong Kong, Novotech has enabled access to patient populations that are disproportionately affected by the disease. The involvement of world-renowned hepatologists, including Dr. Ed Gane and Dr. MF Yuen, as principal investigators ensures high standards of medical oversight and scientific rigor.
This partnership not only advances the field of epigenome editing, but also sets a precedent for how smaller organizations can collaborate effectively in highly regulated and emerging therapeutic areas. The model demonstrated by Novotech and Tune Therapeutics offers a compelling framework for future collaborations, emphasizing adaptability, shared expertise, and patient-centric trial execution.
“This recognition reflects Novotech’s commitment to a true partnership approach—working alongside biotech and small to mid-size pharma companies as an extension of their team. By combining scientific expertise with regional insight and operational focus, we support each client’s development goals with flexibility and precision. We’re proud to play a role in advancing innovative therapies through trusted, collaborative relationships.”
– John Moller, Chief Executive Officer, Novotech
Implementing targeted marketing campaigns in the CRO sector
Novotech’s approach to marketing has been recognized for its innovation and effectiveness, particularly in leveraging new channels to reach key audiences within biotech and the pharmaceutical sector. During the 2025 JP Morgan Annual Conference—one of the industry’s largest and most influential events—Novotech launched a targeted ridesharing advertisement campaign aimed at biotech and pharmaceutical professionals attending the conference in San Francisco.
This campaign utilized the ridesharing platform’s in-app advertising capabilities to deliver tailored messages to conference attendees during their trips. By strategically deploying ads at multiple touchpoints—dispatch, enroute, and on-trip—Novotech maximized exposure and engagement. The campaign featured geo-targeting to ensure relevance and included clear calls-to-action, encouraging attendees to schedule meetings with Novotech representatives through partnering platforms and the company’s website.
The results of the campaign were notable: over 72,000 trips were recorded, with more than 1,650 clicks and a click-through rate of 2.39%, surpassing industry benchmarks. The average ad duration was over two minutes, indicating strong engagement from the target audience. These metrics reflect the campaign’s success in driving brand visibility and generating high-value meeting opportunities with potential clients.
Novotech’s willingness to explore innovative marketing channels—such as ridesharing ads, which had not previously been widely used within the CRO sector—demonstrates its forward-thinking approach. By aligning marketing efforts with major industry events and leveraging data-driven strategies, Novotech has positioned itself as a proactive and adaptable player in a competitive market. This campaign serves as an example of how targeted outreach and creative use of technology can yield measurable business outcomes in the pharmaceutical industry.
This recognition speaks to the strength of our strategy in using targeted, innovative channels to engage the biotech and pharma community in ways that are relevant, timely, and meaningful. It’s a reflection of how we continue to adapt our approach to meet the expectations of a rapidly evolving market.”
– Toyna China, Global Director of Marketing, Novotech
Contact Details
Toyna Chin
USA: +1 415 364 8135
Links
Website: https://novotech-cro.com/
Kakao (Korea) – https://pf.kakao.com/_DyxiExj
WeChat (China) QR code
