Interview with Piergiulio Lauriano, Chief Strategy Officer, and Annabel de Maria, Chief Patient Officer 

Despite decades of innovation, healthcare still suffers from a critical blind spot: the patient’s voices remain underrepresented in the design and delivery of care. Clinical data drives decisions, but too often, it fails to capture the lived reality of illness: what patients value, what they struggle with, and what they truly need.  

 At Alira Health, we believe this gap is no longer acceptable. In this conversation, Chief Strategy Officer Piergiulio Lauriano and Chief Patient Officer Annabel de Maria discuss how we can close it, and why doing so is not just an ethical imperative, but a strategic one.   

What is missing in healthcare today when it comes to patients’ voices? 

Piergiulio: When we look at healthcare today, there’s a glaring gap that still hasn’t been fully addressed. We create treatments without hearing the patient’s voice. We have all the data, the protocols, the pathways, but too often, we’re missing the lived experience of the person receiving the treatment.  

And that voice, how patients experience their condition, how they manage it day-to-day, what matters to them, that’s the voice that should be steering the ship. Patient voice is not optional; it’s foundational. If we don’t build solutions around real human perspectives, then we’re optimizing for the wrong outcomes. That, to me, is the fundamental flaw in the current model.  

What are the next steps in advancing patient engagement in healthcare product development?  

Annabel: The next step is embedding patient engagement as a strategic, end-to-end process, from early research to post-market and beyond. We must move beyond check-the-box activities and build structured pathways that bring patient voices into clinical, regulatory, and health technology assessment decisions. Education for industry teams and meaningful metrics to assess impact are also key. Collaboration between stakeholders – patients, companies, regulators is essential to create frameworks that consistently incorporate patient insights. Achieving this requires cultural change within organizations, and a commitment to transparency and to valuing patient expertise. 

What happens when patients are truly involved as partners in shaping healthcare solutions?

Piregiulio: When we engage with patients as true partners, the difference is profound. Therapies become better tailored to real-world use. Uptake improves because people recognize themselves in the solution. Clinical outcomes improve because adherence improves. But beyond all that, patients feel seen. They feel heard. They’re not just at the end of a product pipeline; they are active participants in shaping what that pipeline delivers.  

For our clients, this translates into stronger product-to-market fit, better access strategies, and more sustainable success. But for me, the most important outcome is shared ownership of health. That is incredibly powerful. When people feel they have a role in shaping their own care, everything changes, from engagement to results.  

Annabel: When patients are truly involved as partners, healthcare solutions become more relevant, effective, and accessible. We avoid costly missteps by designing products that reflect real patient needs. Early engagement improves trial recruitment, product adoption, and overall outcomes. It’s not just about listening; it’s about co-creating solutions with patients. This partnership builds trust and empowers patients, transforming them from passive recipients to active contributors. Ultimately, it leads to innovations that resonate deeply with the communities they serve.  

Why is patient partnership more important than ever in today’s healthcare landscape?

Piergiulio: Today’s healthcare landscape is increasingly complex. We’re dealing with more personalized therapies, higher expectations from regulators and payers, and more informed and empowered patients. The old top-down model, where solutions are pushed onto patients without their input, simply doesn’t work anymore. And it shouldn’t.  

Patients want care that fits into their lives, not care that forces them to adapt to rigid systems. When we engage them from the start, everything gets better. Science improves, access improves, outcomes improve, and most importantly, trust improves. That trust is the cornerstone of any healthcare system that aspires to be truly patient-centered.  

What’s your vision for the future of healthcare with patients leading the way?  

Annabel: Alira Health’s vision is a healthcare system where patient experience, values, and preferences guide every decision. Patients will have a seat, and a vote, at the table in all stages of innovation. This shift will lead to more equitable, effective, and sustainable care systems. We’re not designing for patients; we’re designing with them. As patients lead the way, healthcare will become more personalized and responsive, driving better outcomes and higher satisfaction. Achieving this vision for the future demands that we listen deeply and act collaboratively, ensuring patients are recognized as true partners in health.