Akouos is working to restore hearing with promising gene therapies.  While completing the arduous process of testing and FDA approvals, I was lead program manager on their account tasked to deliver the web experience and define customer segments.  This process was complex involving research, competitive analysis, brand workshops across the organization, and forecasting product reception and impact before launch.

Website: After gathering requirements and multiple rounds of input from stakeholders in science, marketing, sales, and leadership we provided the first round of concept decks. One design element that resonated was concentric vibration rings showing sound and were perfect for CTAs. The look and feel in place we continued work on copy.  Copy for pharma is a balance between conveying complex concepts for a variety of audiences and ensuring claims are in line with FDA guidelines.  After approvals we presented the final designs with final images and copy.  Tickets were submitted for execution of the mockups – cutting up the designs and skinning the new site.   Gathering incremental approvals to ensure success, we loaded content and completed analytics and SEO tie ins.  The final stage was UAT/load testing.  Akouos – Our Mission: Healthy Hearing Available to All

Market Research:  In preparation for the therapy product launch, Akouos required market research to identify, understand, and speak to audiences.  We embarked on a multi-round engagement with stakeholders in the deaf community where we extracted their desires, reasons, approaches, and needs.  The resulting information was aggregated into a deep deck we presented to Akouos leadership.  Research partners:

• AG Bell:  Alexander Graham Bell Association is a deaf community site that is a cornerstone for the deaf and hard of hearing journey.
• National Association of the Deaf
• Deaf Families: We interviewed families recommended to us and through advertising.  There were many takeaways – one critical point was that many families make the decision to only put one cochlear implant (an irreversible intervention) in and save the other ear in case a gene therapy can create natural hearing.