The Navicor Group: 2016
The Navicor Group
480 Olde Worthington Road, Suite 202
Westerville, Ohio 43082
Phone: 614-543-6011
Facsimile: 614-839-7330
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: navicorgroup.com
Accounts
Account wins 10
Active business clients 15
Brands by 2015 sales
Brand product accounts held 26
$25 million to $50 million 2
$100 million to $500 million 1
$500 million to $1 billion 1
Products not yet approved/launched 11
Services Mix
Product promotion 40%
Digital 25%
Conventions 5%
Disease awareness 20%
Branding 10%
Client Roster
AMAG
Amgen
Clovis Oncology
Entrinsic
Incyte
Loxo Oncology
Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals/
Cadence Pharmaceuticals
Millennium: the Takeda Oncology Company
Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation
OncoGenex
OSUCC – James
R-Pharm US
Seattle Genetics
Sunesis
Synta
Tesaro
In an industry of holding company networks, where dozens of shops compete with each other across a wide range of therapeutic areas, all under the same umbrella, leaders of one agency talk about how their shop has kept its singular focus on oncology brand communications – and has continued to enjoy great success: Columbus and Philadelphia-based Navicor, The Oncology Agency.
“Unlike some shops that don’t articulate a clear value proposition, or haven’t decided on how to differentiate themselves, we focused on improving patients’ lives by successfully launching and building oncology brands,” says President Dave Querry. “We’re honored to partner with the companies that make these amazing molecules, and thankfully, those companies seem pretty happy to be teaming up with us.”
Navicor leaders believe the agency’s laser-like targeting of oncology brands is the reason it had another stellar year in 2015. Staying focused, Navicor not only continued its streak of double-digit growth, but also grew its top line by 21 percent. Scoring 12 new accounts, Navicor also increased staff by 37 percent and successfully opened a new office in Philadelphia.
In addition, Navicor brought on more anticancer therapies and supportive care products, as well as expanding into the marketing of cancer advocacy groups and over-the-counter brands in oncology.
The year’s accomplishments
According to agency leaders, in 2015, the Navicor book of business enjoyed sizable organic growth from Tesaro and Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals. Handling the launch of Varubi, Navicor also commenced work for niraparib after being awarded the disease-awareness assignment and has been responsible for AOR work for Ofirmev.
The shop added to its already healthy roster of clients in 2015 as well, bringing in Amgen Biosimilars, for AOR and franchise work on the company’s entire biosimilars portfolio in oncology; R-Pharm US, for AOR work on Ixempra in metastatic breast cancer; Loxo Oncology, for AOR work on trial branding and awareness campaigns for its TRK fusion clinical programs; the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, for the branding of its patient symposia and congresses; Entrinsic Health, for AOR work on Enterade, a medical food for patients with cancer; and Seattle Genetics, for work on SGN-33A trial recruitment, disease education, and awareness.
Structure and services
Taking on these new assignments meant the agency had to hire more talent, executives say.
In 2015, Navicor added 20 new faces and welcomed back seven familiar ones. Among them, Frank Lescas relocated to the Philadelphia office to help lead that group as senior VP, director of account services; Sandya Govinda Raju, Ph.D., rejoined the team in Philadelphia as medical director; and Bobby Defino, Stacy Hall, and Thomas Clark all joined the Columbus team as VP, creative directors.
Future plans
According to agency leaders, global expansion and broader integrated solutions are on the Navicor to-do list in 2016. Navicor is already working closely with its inVentiv Communications affiliates in European markets across advertising, medical communications, and public relations.
“We’re extending our reach, developing resonant strategies and creative executions that will bring the promise of our clients’ brands beyond U.S. borders and build for each a truly global presence,” says Rich D’Ginto, senior VP, executive creative director. “Exciting times.”
Philanthropy/citizenship
Aware of the unique responsibilities in oncology marketing, Navicor continues to support cancer organizations such as The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and the American Cancer Society, executives say. The company has a long track record of helping to raise money for organizations dedicated to the fight against cancer.
“We don’t make the oncology therapies that save the lives,” Querry says. “But we love to work with the companies that do, to help differentiate their brands, and give them a memorable welcome into the world. In pharmaceutical communications, it doesn’t get any better than that.”