Women leaders within the healthcare sector are driving profound transformations by breaking barriers and catalyzing significant shifts. Driven by an inherent desire to contribute to empowering societal advancements, they remain committed to improving patient outcomes.
These individuals are enhancing the healthcare landscape and setting the stage for a brighter tomorrow. Among these visionary thinkers, Dr. Lina Kouatly stands out as an effective leader. She is adeptly bridging the gap between international healthcare corporations and the growing Middle Eastern market through her role as President and CEO at Lunatus.
With a career spanning over 15 years in senior management and strategy roles within multinational pharmaceutical organizations, Dr. Kouatly brings a wealth of expertise and vision to her leadership at Lunatus. Formerly the General Manager of the GCC and Levant regions at Novartis, she played a pivotal role in establishing the company as a leader in the OTC market.
Armed with a bachelor’s degree in science, a PhD in pharmaceutical science, and a master’s in business administration, Dr. Kouatly’s expertise is beyond evaluation. Her affiliations with numerous professional organizations and prestigious board memberships highlight her dedication to driving progress within the healthcare sector.
Dr. Kouatly’s journey is one of perseverance, strategic vision and relentless determination. Through her exceptional leadership at Lunatus, she has not only transformed the company into one of the top SMEs in the region but has also inspired countless women to pursue their ambitions fearlessly.
Dr. Lina Kouatly is eventually scaling Lunatus and leading it to new horizons of success. Her odyssey serves as a source of inspiration, transcending borders and empowering women around the world to shatter glass ceilings and lead with courage and determination.
Bridging Healthcare Horizons in the Middle East
After concluding her tenure at Novartis, Dr. Kouatly recognized a pressing need within the region—a demand for a company dedicated to assisting multinational corporations lacking the infrastructure for an independent presence in the Middle East. Drawing from her extensive experience at Novartis, she was confident in her ability to serve as a regional partner. Her fluency in both the languages positioned her as a valuable intermediary, ensuring multinational firms received optimal support.
Driven by the aspiration to facilitate seamless market entry for international companies, Lunatus was established in early 2003. Dr. Kouatly’s observation of the struggles faced by these firms in navigating the Middle Eastern market inspired Lunatus’s mission—to be the trusted partner for multinational corporations seeking to establish their brands in the region.
At Lunatus, paramount importance is placed on representing partners with excellence. Through the precise development of support systems, Lunatus offers comprehensive solutions tailored to facilitate successful entry into the Middle Eastern market. Central to its success is a highly professional team boasting extensive healthcare experience and a unique blend of local insight and global exposure.
Lunatus’s Mission for Healthcare Excellence
Strategically headquartered in Dubai, Lunatus leverages the city’s status as a regional commerce hub. With operations strategically spanning across the GCC, Lunatus has gained recognition as an award-winning SME and emerged as a key player within the local business community.
The organization aspires to be the most recognized business partner for international healthcare companies in the region and aims to provide world-class services to its partners, ensuring smooth entry into the market. While empowering sustainable growth and beneficial brand presence in the region, it strives with the core values:
- Providing its global partners with an attractive return through sustainable and profitable growth.
- Providing its customers with superior quality healthcare products.
- Operating with uncompromising honesty and integrity.
- Contributing to the well-being of its social and physical environment.
- Developing its employees’ talents and leadership skills by encouraging and rewarding strong initiatives.
Through its commitment to excellence, Lunatus continues to pave the way for transformative healthcare partnerships in the Middle East.
Partnering for Progress
Lina’s approach to partnership development emphasises a core belief in the inherent value that a company’s product can offer to the region. As she states, “I collaborate with the company if I feel that their product range can add value to the region, and I believe in the product.” Her commitment extends beyond mere profitability; she underlines the societal and patient-centric benefits, viewing partnership as a means to enhance value for all stakeholders.
Moreover, Lina emphasizes the assurance of professionalism and comprehensive support that Lunatus provides to its partners. She notes, “I believe a company would choose us because they know that they are in good hands.” This confidence stems from Lunatus’s ability to offer turnkey solutions, handling all aspects of market entry with expertise. From sales and marketing to registration and regulatory affairs, Lunatus navigates the intricacies of the region, ensuring a seamless and successful launch for its partners.
Lunatus’s commitment to excellence and comprehensive support position the company as a trusted ally for international healthcare firms seeking to establish their presence in the Arabian Gulf and Middle East.
From Hurdles to Triumph
As a woman leader in healthcare with a comprehensive background in marketing, particularly within the healthcare sector, Lina understands the challenges faced by women in various professional spheres. Reflecting on her journey, she acknowledges the hurdles encountered, especially during the initial stage of Lunatus.
“When I first started Lunatus, transitioning from my role at Novartis, attracting talent was a significant challenge,” Lina shares. “While at Novartis, the company’s reputation naturally drew interest from top talent. However, establishing Lunatus – Healthcare posed different challenges in talent acquisition.”
The commencing phase required perseverance and patience in building credibility and reputation within the industry. However, with its sheer dedication and strategic efforts, Lunatus – Healthcare has now earned a solid reputation in the industry. Lina proudly asserts, “Today, I can confidently say that Lunatus has earned a strong reputation, allowing us to attract the best talent available in the market.”
Lina’s journey exemplifies the resilience and determination required to overcome challenges, particularly those faced by women leaders in healthcare. Through perseverance and a commitment to excellence, she has successfully navigated obstacles, ultimately positioning Lunatus as a beacon of success in the industry.
Tech-Forward
Lina takes great pride in Lunatus’s commitment to leveraging technology, including the use of AI, across their stores, training and reporting processes. “We firmly believe in embracing the latest technology and integrating it into our everyday practices,” she asserts.
The team at Lunatus remains proactive in staying updated with the latest trends and developments in the industry. Lina emphasizes the importance of her dedicated business development team tasked with keeping abreast of industry advancements. “We attend conferences and actively seek out new innovations,” she explains. “While it’s challenging to stay 100% updated, we strive to be on top of our game.”
With a persistence towards technological advancements and ongoing education, Lunatus ensures that it remains at the forefront of the healthcare industry, delivering the highest quality services to its clients and patients alike.
Strategic Approach to Healthcare Expansion
Lina has solidified her position as a distinguished leader in the healthcare sector, possessing a keen understanding of the gap between international brands and the Middle East market. To determine the feasibility of launching a brand in the region, Lunatus conducts comprehensive market research and analysis.
“We have a highly professional team that conducts thorough market studies and navigates the regulatory landscape,” Lina explains. “We ensure that our team is well-trained to effectively promote the brand to medical professionals, and we organize a strategic launch.”
In addition to market research and regulatory compliance, Lunatus prioritizes ongoing education and training for both its in-house team and medical professionals. “We invest significantly in training programs, sponsoring conferences, and supporting CME-accredited courses,” Lina notes. “As a former research analyst and marketer, I understand the value of continuous learning and information gathering.”
Building Trust Through Quality
Lunatus prioritizes quality assurance through rigorous checks and balances, adhering strictly to its standard operating procedures (SOPs). These measures ensure the delivery of high-quality services consistently.
Lina highlights the company’s commitment to excellence, stating, “If you go to the IMS data, you will find that wherever we are present, we rank #1 or #2 in the marketplace, within the relevant market segment.” This track record underscores Lunatus’s effectiveness in driving success for its partners and achieving market leadership.
Lunatus prides itself on its agility and customer satisfaction. Lina notes, “We are very agile, and our partners are usually very happy dealing with us.” This responsiveness and client-centric approach contribute to the positive experiences of partners collaborating with Lunatus.
Moreover, Lunatus places a strong emphasis on ensuring that the products it brings to the region have undergone rigorous testing and are registered in their country of origin. Lina explains, “We bring products that are proven and registered in their country of origin, adhering to the strict regulations in our region to ensure patient safety.”
Products originating from the US, for instance, gain an extra level of credibility through FDA approval and backing by clinical trials. Lina emphasizes, “In the Middle East, we aim to bring the best of the best to our patients.”
However, Lina acknowledges the challenges of integrating existing companies in the region into Lunatus’s portfolio. “It can be tough when companies are already established here,” she says. “But we strive to expand our offerings as much as possible.”
In the face of the changing dynamics in the region, where more companies are choosing to establish their presence independentlTop of Formy, Lina remains confident in Lunatus’s track record of performance. “We have built a reputation for delivering results,” she states. “And now, we are further enhancing our portfolio by introducing our own private label, the Lunatus line.”
Lunatus’s emphasis on quality, performance and customer satisfaction solidifies its position as a trusted partner in the healthcare industry, consistently delivering exceptional results and value to its partners.
Believe, Innovate, Succeed
Reflecting on the role of women in the healthcare industry and transcending geographical boundaries, Lina offers practical advice. She notes, “To thrive in the business world, it is crucial to adopt a comprehensive approach. Firstly, knowing your business is paramount – stay well-informed about your industry and gain a thorough understanding of its workings. Equally important is understanding your customers, crafting strong relationships, and effectively catering to their needs.”
“Familiarizing yourself with the cultural and market dynamics of your region is essential for successful navigation. Identify the key success factors driving your industry and concentrate your efforts on them. Strive to bring something innovative and valuable to the table. Confidence is key; believe in your abilities, products, and team. Start with a belief, trust your vision and take decisive steps to realize it. Avoid doing things halfway; fully commit to your endeavours and see them through to completion. This comprehensive approach ensures a solid foundation for sustained success,” she adds.
Aiming for the Sky
Lina’s aspirations for Lunatus are centred around continual expansion. The company is pursuing growth both horizontally and non-horizontally through both organic and non-organic means. This expansion involves diversifying the product line and striving to enhance the value offered to the region.
In closing, Lina shares a personal motto: “Hope is not a strategy, and the sky is our limit.” This statement reflects her pragmatic approach to achieving goals, emphasizing the importance of proactive planning and ambition in driving success.
