One of the strengths of the Cambridge life sciences community is how openly teams share both challenges and progress. And one key question many founders, researchers, and innovators are facing is: how do you meaningfully involve patients in early research plans or content creation when directions are still shifting, or time and resources are limited?
That's why we’re excited to share the launch of PhiZ & Co. We’re a UK-based consultancy local to Cambridge. We’re dedicated to building a world where patients and communities shape the future of how health research and communication are created, and everyone feels confident playing their part. Putting human insight and trusted information at the centre of early decisions matters more than ever. It’s what keeps healthcare relevant, ethical, and still connected to the people it’s meant to serve. And, when teams are working hard to push the boundaries of medicine, we don’t want lack of time or experience to be a reason that patients aren’t part of that journey too.
We work with start-ups, growing biotechs and research-led organisations who want to involve patients thoughtfully and communicate clearly from the outset, but don’t always have the time, internal capacity or specialist expertise to do it alone. Our work spans strategic guidance, hands-on collaboration and co-creation, and capability building, always adapted to your stage of development. This might involve shaping an engagement approach that’s realistic for an early-stage team, facilitating patient-informed activities such as advisory input or material development, or building confidence through coaching and training so teams can carry this work forward themselves.
Clear communication underpins everything we do. As experienced healthcare writers, we help teams translate complex science and regulatory requirements into information people can understand and engage with, whether that’s for participants, patient partners, or wider communities. When communication works, engagement becomes easier, and more valuable.
“We know the pressures teams are under, especially in early development,” say co-founders Phil and Liz. “Our aim is to make high-quality patient engagement a natural and achievable part of how medicines are designed, developed, and communicated.”
As members of Cambridge Network, we’re excited to be part of a community that values collaboration, shared learning, and thoughtful innovation. If you’re part of a team thinking about how patient insight and clear communication fit into your work, we’d love to connect.
To learn more, visit phizandco.com, or if you’d like an informal chat, you can reach us at [email protected].
Phil & Liz
