Courses
Healthcare electives complement Columbia Business School’s world-class MBA curriculum, comprising an integrated nexus of functional disciplines within multiple healthcare sectors, studied on a global basis from the perspective of industry executives and investors.
The Healthcare Industry in the 21st Century
Strategy and Competition in Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology
Economics of Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals
Healthcare Investment and Dealmaking
Pharmaceutical Development and Commercialization Workshop
Healthcare Business and Investment in Emerging Markets
Transforming the Delivery of Healthcare Services
Each course uses an average of four to five seasoned industry practitioners as guest speakers and infuses topics of international significance into the classroom.
The Healthcare Industry in the 21st Century
Professor Linda Green: This course provides a general overview of the U.S. healthcare industry and the emerging developments that are transforming methods of payment, production and delivery of healthcare goods and services. Topics include strategies for addressing problems of cost, quality and access, and the perspectives of consumers, payers, providers, and producers/suppliers. Emphasis is placed on challenges and opportunities afforded healthcare executives, employers, policymakers, and investors by new legislation, information technology, and new methods of healthcare delivery and payment.
Strategy and Competition in Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology
Professors Robert Essner and Cliff Cramer: Cross-functional analysis of the strategic, technological, regulatory, competitive, organizational and political challenges impacting the global pharmaceutical and biotechnology sector. Critical issues examined include the strategies and process of discovering, developing, and getting new drugs approved; R&D/product portfolio strategies; patent strategies and challenges; the pharmaceutical supply chain; design of prescription drug plans and the role of PBMs; competition between branded, generic and OTC products; industry profitability and growth prospects; and external/business-development strategies.
Economics of Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals
Professor Frank Lichtenberg: Provides a framework for understanding the economic factors underlying the healthcare system and the intersection of its agents (consumers, payers, providers, suppliers). The course focuses primarily on the structure and economics of health insurance and the demand for healthcare; pricing and reimbursement of drugs, vaccines, medical devices and hospital services; economics of biomedical research; disease-management programs; and cost-benefit analyses employed by payers and consumers of healthcare products and services.
Healthcare Investment and Dealmaking
Professors Cliff Cramer and Ken Hitchner: Analyzes the unique characteristics and strategies of investing in the healthcare sector from the perspective of venture capital firms investing in early-stage life science/healthcare enterprises, private equity firms seeking to build value-creating healthcare platforms, and M&A and business development strategies. The course also covers in-depth business development and dealmaking strategies (partnering, licensing, and M&A) pursued by healthcare companies to enhance competitive position.
Pharmaceutical Development and Commercialization Workshop
Professors Robert Essner and Cliff Cramer: Advanced study of pharmaceutical development and commercialization strategies and practices, focusing on selected therapeutic categories, in each case analyzing the underlying disease, evolution of therapeutic agents including role of biomarkers, clinical study design and regulatory requirements, competitive landscape, market access and pricing, global marketing and launch planning and product life cycle management.
Healthcare Business and Investment in Emerging Markets
Professor Alex Preker: Provides a practical understanding of the business strategies and investment opportunities for global healthcare companies and investors in key emerging markets (China, India, Middle East/Africa, Latin America), including public-private partnerships to address global healthcare needs.
Transforming the Delivery of Healthcare Services
Professors John Rowe and Linda Green:Advanced, critical analysis of the delivery and payment of healthcare services in the U.S. with a specific focus on innovations by healthcare providers and health insurers to improve the quality of patient care, manage escalating costs, and enhance business performance. Particular focus will be given to the impact of the 2009 HITECH Act as well as the Affordable Care Act of 2010.
