Senior consultancy with customer focus – Aptio Group

Senior consultancy with customer focus

In less than a decade, Aptio Group has grown from a small consultancy into a leading provider of high-level services. With industry experience and specialist expertise in life science – including medical technology and pharmaceuticals – Aptio Group supports companies of all sizes with services and solutions.

Founded in Malmö in 2017 by a group of colleagues, Aptio Group has since expanded into a consultancy with more than 220 senior consultants. Aptio Group, part of the Danir Group, operates in Sweden, Denmark, and Switzerland, focusing on consultancy services in regulated industries such as medtech, biotech, pharmaceuticals, food, cosmetics, and the automotive sector.

– “We primarily provide senior consultants with broad experience who support companies of all sizes with processes covered by regulatory and industry-specific requirements,” explains Aina Illiano, Vice President Life Science & Automotive Services, Western Region, at Aptio Group.

The consultancy work is customer-focused and cost-effective, as Aptio Group’s specialists support clients based on their actual operational needs.

– “This means all contracts are tailored to the customer’s requirements, and consultants can be hired from as little as one hour up to full-time.”

– “Some companies seek help with a specific regulatory question, while others need support with data management, setting up QMS systems, or conducting clinical trials. We support companies across many different areas.”

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Increased competitiveness through data and advanced analytics

Aptio Group delivers high-level services to companies in medtech and pharma. Senior Consultant Henrik Ahlbom and Director of Life Science Services Yvonne Fjordside Weihard explain how Aptio Group can help optimize companies’ data management and analysis.

Recent technological developments, particularly in artificial intelligence, have enabled new processes. While data collection and management are not new, more companies are now focusing on how data is collected, used, and analyzed. Aptio Group is seeing a shift from traditional evidence generation and product marketing approaches toward a greater emphasis on the purpose and use of collected data.

– “In the future, data will be absolutely critical – not only for meeting regulatory requirements but also for developing products and differentiating from competitors,” says Henrik Ahlbom, who has many years of experience with clinical data in medtech and pharma.

– “Today, many people talk about artificial intelligence, which is very interesting, but if you don’t use the right data and analyses, the AI tool lacks both substance and relevance.”

Strategic thinking

Data collection and utilization require planning. With her expertise, Yvonne Fjordside Weihard helps companies define the purpose of collecting specific data, evaluate approaches, and determine what type of data is truly needed.

– “We help companies think strategically about data collection – which data is critical and necessary for future product approval, and for potential comparison with products already on the market,” explains Yvonne Fjordside Weihard.

– “When developing a new product or drug, it can be tempting to collect as much data as possible. But it is often far too costly and time-consuming compared to what the company actually needs.”

With an endless stream of information, Aptio Group supports customers in developing strong data and analytics strategies to understand and make the best use of data and advanced analytics. A strong focus is placed on consistency to meet international requirements and ensure comparability.

– “For both studies and products, consistency and standardized methods are essential so that data and results can be compared globally. We must also ensure that the data used is reliable, that the collected data is accurate, and that no errors occur during handling.”

– “This means that from the very start it must be clear which data points will be collected, and how they will be reviewed and managed.”

Driven by customer needs

The scope of assignments depends on customer needs. Larger companies often already have an organization and infrastructure for data management and analysis, while smaller companies may need more comprehensive support throughout the process.

Henrik Ahlbom, currently seconded to AstraZeneca’s ECG Center for advanced analysis, explains that projects can range from serving as a strategic sounding board to providing full-process support.

– “Sometimes a customer has an idea of what should be done, but it is more important to understand what is actually needed and why. The need may not be a large-scale process such as a multi-year clinical trial, but a more time-saving and cost-effective solution.”

– “Many assume that bringing in consultants is costly, but with the right consultancy partner, the opposite is often true,” says Henrik Ahlbom.

Specialists in regulatory affairs

With consultants such as Emelie Jansson, a regulatory affairs specialist, Aptio Group helps life science companies meet market requirements and regulatory demands across different countries.

The regulatory process for gaining approval of new pharmaceuticals in Sweden and abroad is extensive, and many companies therefore turn to Aptio Group for support with the entire process or specific parts of it.

– “Pharmaceutical companies use our expertise for regulatory work. This may include ensuring product information is correct, keeping the product dossier updated with accurate manufacturing information, and submitting this to authorities on time to secure approvals,” explains Emelie Jansson, licensed pharmacist at Aptio Group.

Emelie Jansson, who has several years of experience in regulatory affairs, quality assurance, and compliance within pharmaceuticals, will in 2025 be seconded to a pharmaceutical company to support documentation and dossier work related to generic drugs – medicines already approved but requiring updated documentation and approval due to process changes.

– “Every single change must be checked and classified. Sometimes a company needs to change an analysis method or part of the manufacturing process, and then new documentation must be submitted to the authorities.”

– “If documentation is not correct, the whole process is delayed – which can cause postponed production and patient access. In the worst case, it could even lead to product recalls.”

Medicines in the Nordics are regulated under the EU system, but certain national differences exist. For example, in Denmark packaging design does not require approval, whereas in Sweden it does.

– “Since regulatory requirements are constantly updated, product documentation must be continuously kept current,” says Emelie Jansson.

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New expert consultant in clinical trials

Just before the summer, Aptio Group expanded its team of senior consultants with the addition of Eva Hägglund, a specialist in clinical trials in pharmaceutical development.

Since May 2025, Eva Hägglund has been a consultant at Aptio Group. She brings over 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, having worked both in smaller biotech firms and within large pharma.

– “My first step into the industry came after working as a medical secretary at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, when I pursued a four-year university degree in molecular biology,” says Eva Hägglund.

– “I completed my thesis at AstraZeneca, where I then worked for 15 years in the Safety Department and with clinical trials from early to late phase.”

After further studies in project management, organizational psychology, and decision-making, she joined the newly established Antaros Medical, where she worked on clinical trials using imaging as a biomarker for drug development. Before joining Aptio Group, she worked at Sobrera Pharma, part of GU Ventures in Gothenburg, developing new treatments for alcohol dependence.

– “I now look forward to working with Aptio Group’s clients, large and small, in drug development.”

With her knowledge and experience, Eva Hägglund will support companies throughout the clinical trial process and help bring products to market as efficiently as possible.

– “Here, I can make use of my broad expertise and support companies with everything from preparing documents, protocols, and regulatory submissions, to execution, final reporting, and ensuring sponsor responsibilities.”

– “There are many challenges for staff conducting studies – such as tight timelines, patient recruitment, and large volumes of data that must be collected according to protocol. This is where I can contribute my expertise to make studies both cost-efficient and safe for patients,” says Eva Hägglund.