SIBIUS: Battling cognitive disorders
Sept 2022. Corinne Avelines, SIBIUS’s CEO, had received the news that the results of the first large-scale test of the company’s first product had just been published. The test, conducted with children between 3 and 4 years old, validated their approach to early detection of autism. The technology was grounded in research showing that it was possible to identify many atypical cognitive behaviors by simply tracking eye movements in test patients. Digitrack dramatically simplified that process by digitizing it, allowing it to be used on any personal tablet device. The method was proposed as a screening, detection support and outcome tracking tool for a variety of clinical conditions, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Alzheimer (a form of dementia), among many cognitive conditions. But with the early test validation came business questions that kept Corinne extremely busy. Which market should they first target for this tool? Clearly, its versatility was an asset but each target market (healthcare professionals, concerned parents, etc.) required a differentiated approach. Speed was also of the essence to capture the huge potential in mental health, putting pressure on quickly finding the money to fund the rapid scale-up. High on her mind was also the potential conflict between monetizing the technology aggressively and making a massive difference in the lives of so many young patients and their families, i.e. how to balance the harsh realities of business and investors with those of mental health sufferers and society in general. Despite the promising field test results and numerous shows of support, she had little to show in terms of financial commitments at this point. It was time to revisit the assumptions and all features of the business model to ensure a future for this promising technology.
- Designing business models and architecting business systems
- Balancing social and economic benefits of a values-driven organization
- Go-to-market strategies
- Scaling-up a new technology and managing growth
- Healthcare policies
SIBIUS, Healthcare
2019-2022
Cranfield University
Wharley End Beds MK43 0JR, UK
Tel +44 (0)1234 750903
Email [email protected]
Harvard Business School Publishing
60 Harvard Way, Boston MA 02163, USA
Tel (800) 545-7685 Tel (617)-783-7600
Fax (617) 783-7666
Email [email protected]
NUCB Business School
1-3-1 Nishiki Naka
Nagoya Aichi, Japan 460-0003
Tel +81 52 20 38 111
Email [email protected]
IMD retains all proprietary interests in its case studies and notes. Without prior written permission, IMD cases and notes may not be reproduced, used, translated, included in books or other publications, distributed in any form or by any means, stored in a database or in other retrieval systems. For additional copyright information related to case studies, please contact Case Services.
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
GENEVA (SWITZERLAND), AUGUST 2021. There was a lot at stake for Sébastien. This was the culmination of his 18-month NCA supported search journey to find a company to acquire. Instead of a single target, he was now faced with the prospect of acquir...
The case focuses on Rede Mulher Empreendedora (RME), Brazil’s largest support platform for female entrepreneurship, and its founder, Ana Fontes. Founded in 2010, RME had grown into a significant network by 2023, impacting the livelihoods of over 1...
Grupo Inca, a conglomerate that owned Peru’s leading textile business with a long history of working with alpaca fleece, was at a crossroads regarding the conservation and commercialization of black alpaca fiber. Historically, black alpacas were a...
We need to rethink traditional models of finance if we are to achieve a sustainable and inclusive future, argues Durreen Shahnaz, founder & CEO of Impact Investment Exchange (IIX).
Here’s how your company can meet regulatory requirements and the expectations of sustainability indexes.
Pasona Group, a Japan-based human resources company, is committed to driving social change through business and supporting individuals to find "ikigai” (fulfillment) through work. The company has promoted flexible work and equitable workplaces and...
The case focuses on Decathlon’s journey from 2023 onwards as it seeks to scale its circular business models and transform from a successful pilot phase to large-scale industrialization. Anna Turrell, Decathlon’s chief sustainability officer, is ta...
Entrepreneurial families play a vital role in shaping the global economy and society. These families, engaged in creating and managing businesses across generations, share a commitment to long-term growth, wealth preservation, and legacy building.
As businesses navigate market disruptions, technological innovations and an increasingly turbulent world, leaders will frequently find themselves taking control of a team in the aftermath of a crisis. Inheriting such a challenging environment ofte...
Emotional intelligence is essential for recognizing and managing artificial intelligence (AI) enabled manipulation, especially in scams. Organizations should train employees to spot emotional triggers and practice reflection to mitigate generative...
Case reference: IMD-7-2515 ©2024
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Case reference: IMD-7-2613 ©2024
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Case reference: IMD-7-2609 ©2024
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
in I by IMD
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
in I by IMD
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications