ACTO, a Toronto-based scale-up, is addressing one of the most pressing challenges in the pharmaceutical industry—ensuring that sales representatives have the knowledge, tools, and support they need to effectively communicate complex medical information to healthcare professionals in real-time. Pharmaceutical reps are often tasked with relaying crucial details about new treatments, including clinical data, patient eligibility criteria, and regulatory information. However, these interactions are typically brief and high-pressure, leaving little room for error. ACTO’s platform is designed to give reps the edge they need, providing them with accurate, up-to-date information and resources that help them engage confidently with doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers.
In his interview, Parth Khanna, the co-founder and CEO of ACTO, highlights a critical issue in the pharmaceutical industry: the potential for patients to miss out on life-saving treatments due to healthcare providers not being informed about the latest medical advances. Khanna emphasizes the importance of pharmaceutical reps being equipped to quickly and accurately deliver information about new drugs and medical devices. He paints a vivid picture, explaining that if a physician doesn’t know about a newly approved treatment, especially for rare diseases, it could delay patient access to life-changing therapies. The stakes are high, and the need for timely, accurate communication is essential for ensuring the best outcomes for patients.
ACTO’s platform, which Khanna refers to as a “painkiller” for this problem, is designed to make sure pharmaceutical reps can meet these demands. The software integrates multiple features into one cohesive application, offering reps access to approved content, AI-powered assistants, personalized coaching support, and real-time data analytics. These tools work together to not only help reps deliver the correct information but also track their performance in real-time. The data captured through these interactions can then be used to generate valuable commercial insights that help companies understand what is working in the field and where improvements can be made.
The platform’s comprehensive nature is a key differentiator for ACTO. By combining various capabilities, such as training tools, content management, and analytics, into one application, ACTO has created an all-in-one solution that streamlines the daily operations of pharmaceutical reps. This allows reps to focus on building relationships and delivering value rather than scrambling for information or relying on disparate systems. The result is a more efficient sales force that can quickly adapt to new information and ensure that healthcare providers are always up to date on the latest treatments available.
As ACTO continues to expand its reach beyond Canada to meet the growing demand from the global life sciences industry, the company faces a new set of challenges related to regulatory compliance. The pharmaceutical industry is highly regulated, with strict rules regarding patient privacy, data security, and the use of medical information. These regulations vary significantly across markets, and ACTO must navigate these diverse requirements as it grows internationally. However, the company is committed to maintaining compliance while still offering the cutting-edge tools and features that its clients need to stay ahead of the curve.
To support its international expansion, ACTO has partnered with AWS (Amazon Web Services), a move that Khanna credits with providing the company with the necessary cloud infrastructure to scale its platform globally. AWS’s cloud capabilities allow ACTO to securely store and process vast amounts of data, enabling the company to deliver real-time insights to pharmaceutical companies, regardless of where they are located. As the demand for ACTO’s solutions grows, the company will rely on this infrastructure to maintain a high level of service and meet the increasing complexity of global regulatory standards.
By combining AI, data analytics, and personalized coaching, ACTO is transforming the way pharmaceutical reps interact with healthcare providers. The platform not only helps reps deliver accurate information but also provides pharmaceutical companies with valuable insights into how their teams are performing. This data-driven approach is setting a new standard in the industry, enabling companies to be more agile and responsive to market needs. With its innovative platform, ACTO is positioned to become a leader in the life sciences sector, driving better patient outcomes and helping companies achieve long-term commercial success.
As ACTO expands its international footprint, it is clear that the company is committed to addressing the evolving needs of the pharmaceutical industry. By empowering reps with the tools they need to succeed in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment, ACTO is contributing to a more efficient and effective healthcare system. Whether it’s ensuring that physicians are aware of the latest treatments or helping pharmaceutical companies gain deeper insights into their sales efforts, ACTO’s platform is making a significant impact on the industry, and its future looks bright as it continues to innovate and grow.