CVC | E443 | Gitte Aabo (former CEO at Leo Pharma and GN Hearing) on How to Use Corporate Collaboration to Identify Emerging Trends

In this episode of our CVC series, Andreas Munk Holm and our CVC in-house expert, Jeppe Høier, talk with Gitte Aabo to explore the world of corporate venture. With a remarkable background that spans 27 years at Leo Pharma, including 12 years as CEO and further experience at GN Hearing, Gitte shares her journey in building innovation initiatives like Leo iLab. She explains how she helped develop digital tools to improve treatment outcomes and diagnostics, drawing on her extensive experience in both board leadership and hands-on management to drive change.

During the conversation, Gitte dives into aligning corporate culture with innovative practices. She emphasizes that success in corporate venturing doesn’t come from following a one-size-fits-all formula but from ongoing, one-on-one discussions with board members and key executives. By integrating strategic insights with practical initiatives, she shares how innovation teams must work closely with the core business to ensure long-term impact, even if the financial returns take time to materialize.

Chapters:

03:55 Establishing Leo Innovation Lab
04:15 Digital Tools for Skin Disease Treatment
05:01 Improving Diagnosis with Mobile Tools
05:16 Philosophy of Patient Focus
06:20 Structure and Funding of Leo iLab
08:10 Challenges and Learnings from Leo iLab
08:28 Collaboration with US and External Investments
09:31 Balancing Innovation and Core Business
11:24 Reflections on Corporate Innovation
14:43 Transition to GN Hearing
15:50 Integrating Innovation in GN Hearing
17:00 Strategic Partnerships and External Innovation
19:52 Challenges in Corporate and Startup Collaboration