The Strategic Partnership Playbook: Insights from Life Science Communication Fellows
Article and Graphics by Celine Joy Dela Cruz, Life Science Communications Designer
2025
How do we bring science from the lab and into the world?
This question served as a backbone to the work of the fellows during the Life Science Communications Fellowship with Ruby Leaf Media. As pivotal as scientific research is, advancing its applications and bringing these discoveries into the world is equally vital. Life science innovations address various issues within healthcare, public health, and medicine. Driving advancements in the health and overall well-being of people in our society. However, science is complex and can often be lost in translation. Therefore, the role of science communicators is crucial in bridging the gap between experts and broader audiences.
The Strategic Partnership Playbook
The first cohort for Ruby Leaf’s Life Science Communications Fellowship utilized their skills to support a digital health startup through the Strategic Partnership Playbook.
A Ruby Leaf framework used to support early-stage clients through the development of strong messaging to connect them to the right partners. Moreover, helping them build an ecosystem where their clients’ scientific developments can be cultivated. The fellows were guided by three main phases of the playbook: formulate, validate, and communicate.
The 2025 Fellow Cohort
For the first Life Science Communications fellowship cohort, Ruby Leaf Media brought together a unique group of professionals working at the intersections of science, communications, business, and design:
Joy Kika, MBA from the Carey Business School at Johns Hopkins University
Clinical Psychology, Marketing, and Communications
Dr. Hamilton Green, PhD in Microbiology from Vanderbilt University
Scientific Research, Public Health, and Science Communications
Celine Joy Dela Cruz, MA in Knowledge Visualization from Zurich University of the Arts
Clinical Diagnostics, Biomedical Communications, and Design
Phase I: Formulate
The development of the value proposition for the client. Involving client collaboration to gauge motivations, initial market research, identifying possible target groups, and developing problem statements. Strong messaging is prioritized during this stage to connect the client with their top priority strategic partners.
What are your insights on the initial developments of the first phase [Formulate] of the Strategic Partnership Playbook?
Joy: “I learned the importance of impact, showing impact in the problem. The focus was to understand the product and define the problem with the Strategic Partnership Playbook framework”
Hamilton: “This stage is crucial as it establishes the foundation for initial marketing efforts and strategic partnership communications. During this phase, I learned how to craft and implement impactful statements with intention and clarity.”
Celine: “The formulate phase offered an opportunity to combine creativity with strategy. I was able to use my design background to create graphics that mapped out the customer, competitor, and company landscape. Furthermore, create a visual that could be used to easily follow the development of the value proposition.”
What needs to be established during this stage?
Joy: “Teasing out the value proposition as well as problem framing is essential. I would come to learn that it’s quite important to first frame the problem that the startup is trying to solve.”
Hamilton: “It is important to establish initial communication with the founder to understand their goals, translate them into effective messaging, and set a foundation for the rest of the playbook.”
Celine: “In this stage, we were introduced to our client. It was very important that we established a relationship where both the consultant and client understood each other’s motivations.”
Phase II: Validate
Supporting the messaging from the formulate phase. Market research and ecosystem mapping are used to validate the client’s value proposition through customer discovery.
What was your approach to validating your work in the formulate phase?
Joy: “I implemented business model development strategies as part of the formulate and validate stage. Specifically, building what the business model would like [for our client]. How will they make money? What do they need internally? What partnership do they need? What does revenue look like?”
Hamilton: “Brainstorming key themes and data categories was essential to identify the most beneficial insights for the client. Once these themes were established. I was able to interconnect relevant data points and align them with the Strategic Partnership Playbook.”
What was the role of customer discovery in validating the communication strategy?
Joy: “For the client, I mapped out the customer journey and evaluated the workflow. The workflow was visualized, which helped me see the gaps. It demonstrated the importance of visualization and the effectiveness of mapping out the complex landscape of our client.”
Hamilton: “Gathering indispensable quotes and pain points from stakeholders through customer discovery interviews reinforced the importance of understanding the customer [of the client]. This process strengthened our ability to meet their needs and communicate them effectively to the client, which gave me enthusiasm about the playbook.”
Celine: “Customer discovery was crucial for establishing an ecosystem for our client and identifying target groups. We spent time brainstorming possible end users, decision makers, payers, influencers, recommenders, and saboteurs.”
Phase III: Communicate
Synthesizing different methods of communication into a cohesive deliverable. Providing a final message backed by research for the client to connect with their strategic partners.
Explain your experience working with the client and/or the other fellows during the communication phase.
Joy: “It was important to learn how to stay true to the Founder’s story. Founders can be very passionate about their ideas. Being an experienced consultant, there is a tendency to want to have control over their message. However, I’ve learned that no two Founders are the same, no two ideas are the same, even if they are solving the same problem.”
Hamilton: “Collaborating as a team to explore different methods of presenting data and statements was captivating. This experience showcased diverse perspectives, creativity, and problem-solving approaches.”
Celine: “As a novice in the life science business industry, it was an informative experience being able to learn about Joy and Hamilton’s processes throughout the project. As experts in their field, they effectively communicated how they utilize their frameworks and tools to gather data, conduct market research, and evaluate business models. Moreover, synthesize all these aspects into an effective and cohesive message for the client.”
Are you passionate about bringing science out of the lab and into the real world?
We’re looking for curious individuals to help innovators communicate effectively and build strong networks. If you are interested in learning more or applying, click the button below to apply for the next fellowship cycle!