Transforming Pharma Services: Competing on Innovation, Not Price

Q: How does Helix Health differentiate its approach from other companies in the healthcare industry, particularly in Latin America?

A: Helix Health emerged as a spin-off from Parque Pharma to address the structural fragmentation of healthcare service providers in Mexico and Latin America. The sector operates in silos, often lacking standardized processes, which leads to inefficiencies, higher costs, and transactional risks. Helix Health provides integrated, sophisticated, and highly formalized solutions that eliminate the need for clients to act as their own project management offices. We developed standardized protocols that deliver measurable value rather than conceptual consulting. Our Value Prism framework, built around service integration, market formation, and long-term value creation, allows us to offer end-to-end solutions that help clients compete on innovation and differentiation rather than price.

Q: How does Helix Health enhance its clients’ scalability, and which companies are its typical clients?

A: We focus on transforming companies that compete primarily on cost — those with generic, undifferentiated products — into organizations capable of competing on innovation and value. We help clients upgrade existing formulations using emerging technologies, opening new markets and enhancing differentiation. These innovation “sprints” revitalize portfolios without the cost of developing entirely new molecules. Additionally, we create collaborative ecosystems by connecting clients with specialized researchers and technology partners, ensuring each project is tailored to the product and business goals. This approach increases competitiveness, expands product portfolios, and delivers tangible benefits to patients.

Q: How does Helix Health measure the success of its projects, and what metrics does the company follow to evaluate operational efficiency and long-term value creation?

A: Helix Health defines success metrics based on the specific objectives of each project, which vary according to the type of service delivered. We translate these objectives into clear KPIs and success stories that demonstrate the value generated, particularly in terms of time and cost reduction compared with traditional approaches. Our clients benefit from faster implementation and integrated solutions, especially in complex projects requiring cross-functional coordination. As projects scale to larger or multinational organizations, these metrics adapt to institutionalized structures encompassing strategic projects, engineering, and regulatory oversight. While we initially focused on Big Pharma, our portfolio now includes national and international clients across pharma, veterinary pharma, cosmetics, supplements, medical devices, and bio pharma. 

We are also formalizing strategic alliances to enhance technical and regulatory insights, further reinforcing our ability to anticipate market changes and maximize client value.

Q: How does your alliance with companies like Hectágono strengthen your operations and reach?

A: Our alliances are critical to delivering comprehensive solutions. With Hectágono, we integrate our healthcare expertise with their leadership in ESG, sustainability, and environmental strategy, allowing clients to embed long-term environmental value into operations. Unlike traditional consultancies, we not only provide diagnostics but implement strategies end-to-end, which differentiates us from firms with generic, industry-agnostic frameworks.

We also partner with Newmark, a global real estate advisory firm, to support clients in the design, construction, and optimization of regulated infrastructure such as pharmaceutical plants. Together, we manage site selection, engineering, regulatory compliance, and GMP certification. These alliances provide clients immediate access to established networks, protocols, and specialized knowledge, effectively activating a pre-built ecosystem of expertise.

Our core verticals are regulated infrastructure and portfolio optimization. For infrastructure, we guide clients through the full lifecycle of a facility, helping them view plants not as cost centers but as strategic assets capable of generating revenue through manufacturing services, third-party production, and analytical capabilities. This integrated, efficiency-driven approach defines Helix Health’s unique positioning in the healthcare industry.

Q: How is Helix preparing for regulatory changes, such as those related to Plan México?

A: Navigating regulatory changes, like Plan México, has been a complex process due to incomplete guidance and ongoing industry debate. Our approach relies on proactive engagement with key stakeholders, including government representatives and industry groups, to inform and influence regulatory outcomes while aligning with our operational strategy. We focus on understanding economic incentives, potential investment benefits, and product traceability to ensure compliance and maximize opportunities. Helix Health positions itself as a strategic resource for both national and international companies seeking clarity and advantage in regulatory planning.

Q: What conditions should be strengthened in Mexico to strengthen local production capacity?

A: Government support is fundamental, particularly through regulatory alignment, investment incentives, and reliable infrastructure, including electricity and water. Strategic partnerships and trusted industry intermediaries facilitate market entry and build credibility for Mexican firms seeking to engage with the US market. Alignment with international standards, such as compliance with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the development of knowledge-sharing networks enhance the country’s attractiveness for domestic and foreign investment. Stable policy, robust infrastructure, and trusted partnerships together create the ecosystem necessary for local production to evolve into a true competitive advantage.

Q: What emerging trends in regulation, operations, and commercial strategy are expected to shape the healthcare ecosystem over the next five  to 10 years?

A: The sector is seeing significant emphasis on localized manufacturing incentives, reflected in policies under the Plan México framework. These initiatives encourage investment in domestic production facilities while ensuring that investments remain in-country. Helix Health, through Parque Pharma, is uniquely positioned to facilitate access to state-of-the-art pharmaceutical-grade infrastructure. We are evolving Parque Pharma into a collaborative model akin to a “WeWork for pharmaceuticals,” offering shared spaces, technical resources, and support for innovation in biotechnology and manufacturing. By anticipating regulatory shifts and fostering integrated ecosystems that merge infrastructure, research, and strategic guidance, we enable companies to accelerate market entry, optimize operations, and drive sustainable growth.

Q: What are Helix Health’s next steps to expand and strengthen its presence in Latin America?

A: Our expansion strategy emphasizes efficient market entry through partnerships rather than establishing physical operations, allowing us to navigate regulatory and commercial complexities while minimizing fixed costs. We assemble tailored project teams for each engagement, leveraging local expertise to maximize outcomes. Additionally, we are formalizing alliances to develop innovative products and services, positioning Helix Health as a leader in engineering, construction, and regulatory compliance for health and life sciences facilities. We are also implementing methodologies to optimize plant capacity and portfolio management, enabling clients to modernize product lines and increase output without additional infrastructure. This integrated approach — combining technical excellence, regulatory expertise, and commercial strategy — delivers measurable impact across Latin American markets.

Q: What are your expectations for the future of healthcare and pharmaceutical innovation in Mexico?

A: Our approach demonstrates that combining technical expertise, strategic alliances, and proactive regulatory planning creates a unique, integrated model that no other player in Mexico offers. By aligning infrastructure development, portfolio innovation, and operational excellence, we help clients generate long-term value while shaping the conversation around healthcare innovation. This model highlights how strategic communication and partnerships drive measurable outcomes, positioning Helix Health not just as a service provider but as a catalyst for sector transformation. 

Helix Health is a strategic and operational ecosystem for life sciences in Latin America, combining regulatory affairs, GMP infrastructure, and business development to accelerate time-to-market and maximize long-term value.