Case | HBS Case Collection | 2002 (Revised from original 2002 version)

Vialog Corporation

by Richard G. Hamermesh and Michele Lutz

Abstract

Traces the origin of Vialog Corp.--from its founding in 1996 through a roll-up of several independent teleconferencing companies in 1997 and its initial public offering (1999) and eventually to a potential merger or acquisition in June 2000. The company has grown rapidly and has the option of merging with an Internet company or another strategic partner, or selling to a European strategic partner.

Keywords: History; Business Exit or Shutdown; Internet; Corporate Entrepreneurship; Partners and Partnerships; Initial Public Offering; Business Growth and Maturation; Mergers and Acquisitions; Business Processes; Information Technology Industry; Europe;

Format: Print

24 pages

Purchase

Citation:

Hamermesh, Richard G., and Michele Lutz. "Vialog Corporation." Harvard Business School Case 802-008, July 2002. (Revised from original January 2002 version.)

The FDA approvals of novel therapeutics were seen as signs in the personalized medicine community of real progress in the growth of personalized medicine. The FDA's approval of such drugs, along with companion diagnostics, suggested a shift in thinking and regulatory practices at the agency. Beyond the regulatory questions, many considered the reimbursement system archaic, dispersed, unpredictable, and unnecessarily time consuming. Many questioned whether the traditional models of reimbursement were relevant in the era of personalized medicine, and who should be covering the cost of tests needed to identify the sometimes small number of patients who could benefit from expensive targeted drugs. This case focuses on the array of possibilities and the ambiguity surrounding these regulatory and reimbursement issues.

Healthpoint Services sought to address rural India's shortage of quality and affordable healthcare with a multi-service platform that comprised telemedical health clinics called eHealthpoints, clean drinking water, a diagnostic lab, and a pharmacy. Could they convince rural Indians to leapfrog from local healers to telemedicine? And could they convince Investors that their capital Intensive, bundled offering was a high-growth, self-sustaining venture? Healthpoint Services grappled with multiple challenges: changing mind-sets of patients and investors, generating traffic at their eHealthpoints, expanding their product portfolio, and growing within and outside India.

General Information

Academic Programs

Alumni

Faculty & Research

Recruit

Resources

Faculty & Research

Vialog Corporation

Abstract

About the Author

More from the Author

Contact

Related Links

Resources