Putnam Firm Profile: Careers, Culture, and Life Sciences Consulting

Putnam is a leading life sciences consulting firm that helps pharmaceutical, biotech, and healthcare organizations solve complex strategic challenges. Founded in Boston and now operating globally, Putnam combines data-driven insight with deep industry expertise to deliver high-impact solutions across commercialization, market access, and medical affairs. If you’re exploring a career in life sciences strategy consulting or curious about what the Putnam consulting firm specializes in, this guide has you covered.

TL;DR – What You Need to Know

Putnam firm profile outlines a global life sciences consulting company specializing in strategic advisory services for pharmaceutical, biotech, and healthcare organizations worldwide.

• Putnam was founded in 1988 in Boston and now operates 10 offices with over 400 consultants serving top biopharma clients.
• The consulting firm specializes in commercialization, market access, and medical affairs within life sciences strategy consulting.
• Its rebranding under Inizio Advisory in 2021 expanded global reach and integrated advanced data analytics and evidence-based strategy.
• The Putnam interview process includes multiple case rounds assessing problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills for consulting candidates.
• Consultants experience structured career progression, competitive compensation, and strong exit opportunities in biotech, healthcare strategy, and advanced degrees.

Putnam Firm Profile - Key Facts and Quick Overview

The Putnam firm profile highlights a global life sciences consulting company founded in 1988 in Boston. With over 400 professionals across 10 offices, Putnam provides strategic advisory services in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare. The firm specializes in data-driven life sciences strategy, market access, and commercialization consulting.

Putnam, part of the Inizio Advisory network, operates as a top-tier boutique consulting firm serving both established pharmaceutical leaders and emerging biotech innovators. Its reputation rests on deep analytical expertise and a singular focus on the life sciences sector, making it a preferred partner for high-impact strategic decisions.

Key facts about Putnam:

• Founded: 1988, Boston, Massachusetts
• Headquarters: Boston, USA
• CEO: Remco op den Kelder
• Employees: 400+ globally
• Offices: Boston, New York, San Francisco, London, Paris, Krakow, Newcastle, Delhi, Tokyo, Tunisia
• Specialization: Life sciences strategy consulting for biotech, pharma, and healthcare companies
• Parent Group: Inizio Advisory

Putnam’s services center around helping clients improve decision-making through evidence-based analysis. From pricing and market access to forecasting and product launch strategy, the firm supports organizations across every stage of a product’s lifecycle.

Its growth trajectory over the past decade reflects the rising demand for specialized consulting expertise in biotechnology and healthcare innovation. For candidates exploring a career in life sciences consulting, Putnam represents a rare blend of boutique agility and global reach.

What Does Putnam Consulting Firm Specialise In?

Putnam consulting firm specializes in life sciences strategy, supporting global pharmaceutical, biotech, and healthcare companies. Its core expertise spans commercialization, value and access, and medical affairs. Through data-driven insights and market analysis, Putnam helps clients make informed strategic decisions that accelerate growth and bring innovative therapies to market efficiently.

Putnam’s specialization lies at the intersection of science and strategy. The firm focuses exclusively on the life sciences sector, allowing its teams to develop deep expertise in how research, regulation, and market dynamics shape the success of new therapies.

Core areas of specialization include:

• Commercial Strategy: Advising clients on portfolio optimization, launch planning, and growth strategy to maximize product success.
• Value, Pricing, and Market Access: Helping companies develop evidence-based pricing strategies and navigate payer landscapes through health economics and outcomes research (HEOR).
• Medical and Scientific Affairs: Guiding clinical development, digital health initiatives, and omnichannel engagement to strengthen medical positioning.

Putnam’s approach combines analytical rigor with industry insight. Teams leverage advanced data analytics, forecasting, and modeling tools to generate actionable strategies tailored to each client’s unique challenges.

The firm’s life sciences consulting work extends across therapeutic areas such as oncology, rare diseases, and immunology. Its singular industry focus ensures clients receive customized support from professionals who understand the science as deeply as the business side.

For candidates interested in healthcare consulting, Putnam’s model offers a rare opportunity to work exclusively in life sciences while developing transferable skills in market strategy, quantitative analysis, and client advisory.

What Does Putnam Consulting Firm Specialise In?

Putnam consulting firm specializes in life sciences strategy, supporting global pharmaceutical, biotech, and healthcare companies. Its core expertise spans commercialization, value and access, and medical affairs. Through data-driven insights and market analysis, Putnam helps clients make informed strategic decisions that accelerate growth and bring innovative therapies to market efficiently.

Putnam’s specialization lies at the intersection of science and strategy. The firm focuses exclusively on the life sciences sector, allowing its teams to develop deep expertise in how research, regulation, and market dynamics shape the success of new therapies.

Core areas of specialization include:

• Commercial Strategy: Advising clients on portfolio optimization, launch planning, and growth strategy to maximize product success.
• Value, Pricing, and Market Access: Helping companies develop evidence-based pricing strategies and navigate payer landscapes through health economics and outcomes research (HEOR).
• Medical and Scientific Affairs: Guiding clinical development, digital health initiatives, and omnichannel engagement to strengthen medical positioning.

Putnam’s approach combines analytical rigor with industry insight. Teams leverage advanced data analytics, forecasting, and modeling tools to generate actionable strategies tailored to each client’s unique challenges.

The firm’s life sciences consulting work extends across therapeutic areas such as oncology, rare diseases, and immunology. Its singular industry focus ensures clients receive customized support from professionals who understand the science as deeply as the business side.

For candidates interested in healthcare consulting, Putnam’s model offers a rare opportunity to work exclusively in life sciences while developing transferable skills in market strategy, quantitative analysis, and client advisory.

How Did Putnam Grow - History and Evolution

Putnam began in 1988 as a Boston-based life sciences strategy consulting firm focused on helping pharmaceutical and biotech companies make data-driven decisions. Over three decades, Putnam has expanded globally, rebranding in 2021 under Inizio Advisory and evolving into a leading consultancy combining deep scientific expertise with commercial strategy excellence.

Putnam’s story began when a small team of consultants saw an opportunity to apply classical business strategy frameworks to the life sciences industry. Their mission was to help organizations connect scientific innovation with market impact.

From the start, Putnam worked with some of the world’s largest pharmaceutical firms, gradually expanding its client base to include emerging biotech companies and healthcare innovators.

Milestones in Putnam’s growth:

• 1988: Founded in Boston as Putnam Associates, specializing in life sciences strategy consulting.
• 2000s: Expanded services to include pricing, market access, and forecasting.
• 2010s: Opened offices in New York, London, and San Francisco to meet client demand.
• 2021: Rebranded as Putnam, joining Inizio Advisory, a global network of specialized consulting firms.
• Today: Operates across 10 global offices with 400+ consultants serving clients in 19 of the top 20 biopharmaceutical companies.

Putnam’s evolution mirrors the transformation of the life sciences industry itself. The firm has grown by combining scientific depth with commercial expertise, staying ahead of trends such as digital health, real-world evidence (RWE), and data-driven decision-making.

This continuous growth has allowed Putnam to maintain its reputation as a trusted advisor for organizations navigating the complex intersection of healthcare innovation and business strategy.

Putnam’s Global Footprint and Office Locations

Putnam’s global footprint includes 10 offices across North America, Europe, and Asia, with its headquarters in Boston. The firm’s locations in major life sciences hubs such as London, San Francisco, and Tokyo enable close collaboration with global pharmaceutical and biotech clients, supporting strategic consulting and data-driven insights worldwide.

Putnam’s expansion into international markets reflects both its client growth and the global nature of the life sciences ecosystem. Its offices are strategically located in proximity to major research centers, regulatory agencies, and biopharma clusters.

Putnam office locations include:

• Boston, Massachusetts (Headquarters)
• New York, United States
• San Francisco, United States
• London and Newcastle, United Kingdom
• Paris, France
• Krakow, Poland
• Delhi, India
• Tokyo, Japan
• Tunisia

Each location maintains a consistent consulting culture while adapting to local market needs. For instance, the Boston and London offices focus on pharmaceutical strategy, while the Krakow and Delhi teams support analytics and modeling capabilities.

Putnam’s distributed model allows consultants to collaborate across regions, sharing expertise in commercialization, pricing, and clinical strategy. The result is a unified approach that brings local insight to global client challenges.

What Is the Putnam Interview Process?

The Putnam interview process typically includes multiple rounds assessing analytical ability, problem-solving, and industry knowledge. Candidates face both case and behavioral interviews, starting with an initial screening, followed by two to three rounds of case discussions. The final round often takes place on-site to evaluate communication, teamwork, and cultural fit.

Putnam’s recruitment approach is structured to identify candidates with strong quantitative skills and a genuine interest in life sciences consulting. The process is competitive but transparent, focusing on both problem-solving and interpersonal ability.

Typical interview rounds:

• Screening: A short introductory call or virtual interview reviewing your resume, motivations, and communication skills.
• First Round: Two case interviews centered on pharmaceutical or biotech scenarios, testing logic and numerical reasoning.
• Final Round: Three interviews (two case and one fit), often conducted at a Putnam office. These assess how well you align with the firm’s collaborative culture.

Candidates are advised to prepare for both candidate-led and interviewer-led case formats. Practice frameworks such as market entry, pricing, and product launch strategies, as these mirror the work Putnam consultants perform.

Preparation should begin at least four weeks in advance, focusing on structured problem-solving and familiarity with life sciences terminology.

Careers, Culture, and Talent Development at Putnam

Putnam offers diverse career paths, from Associate Consultant to Partner, emphasizing mentorship, collaboration, and professional growth. The firm’s culture blends analytical rigor with genuine work-life balance, attracting candidates from top universities with strong backgrounds in science, economics, or business. Employees benefit from structured training, mobility opportunities, and inclusive team values.

Putnam recruits across multiple experience levels, including undergraduates, PhDs, MBAs, and experienced hires. Roles range from Associate Consultant to Partner, each offering increasing client responsibility and strategic influence.

Typical career progression:  Associate Consultant → Senior Associate → Consultant → Senior Consultant → Manager → Principal → Partner

The firm’s Life Sciences Consulting Program (LSC) integrates advanced scientific training with consulting methodology, allowing PhD and postdoctoral candidates to transition smoothly into business problem-solving.

Putnam’s culture emphasizes collaboration, curiosity, and respect. Consultants describe a collegial environment with open communication and supportive leadership. The firm also organizes regular social and community events to maintain a connected culture across offices.

Employees typically work 50–60 hours per week, depending on project phase. However, flexible scheduling and hybrid work models allow consultants to balance client work and personal time effectively.

Compensation, Exit Opportunities, and Value Proposition for Consultants

Compensation at Putnam is competitive with other boutique consulting firms, with entry-level salaries around $75,000 to $120,000 plus bonuses and benefits. Exit opportunities often include roles in biotech, pharmaceutical strategy, or advanced degrees like MBA programs, making Putnam an attractive launchpad for careers in life sciences consulting.

Putnam’s pay structure rewards performance and experience, reflecting its emphasis on analytical excellence. In addition to base salary, consultants receive signing bonuses, relocation support, and annual performance incentives.

Common exit paths include:

• Strategy and operations roles in pharmaceutical or biotech companies
• Healthcare-focused private equity or venture capital firms
• Graduate studies (MBA, MPH, PhD) at top global institutions
• Lateral moves to other healthcare consulting firms

Putnam’s narrow industry focus creates a powerful specialization advantage. Consultants gain deep exposure to scientific, regulatory, and market challenges, giving them a competitive edge for leadership roles within life sciences.

Why Choose Putnam? Strengths, Trade-Offs, and Candidate Fit

Putnam stands out for its deep life sciences expertise, supportive culture, and strong analytical foundation. The firm’s focus on healthcare strategy offers intellectually rewarding work but may limit exposure to other industries. Ideal candidates are detail-oriented, science-driven professionals who value teamwork, mentorship, and the opportunity to impact healthcare innovation.

Choosing Putnam means joining a firm that values both analytical precision and collaborative problem-solving. Consultants have direct client impact early in their careers, with exposure to high-stakes decisions shaping drug launches and pricing strategy.

Key advantages:

• Exclusive focus on life sciences strategy
• Collegial, mentorship-driven environment
• Opportunities for cross-office collaboration
• Strong industry reputation and alumni network

Trade-offs to consider:

• Narrow industry focus (less exposure to non-healthcare sectors)
• Demanding analytical expectations
• Fast-paced project cycles requiring adaptability

If you are passionate about science and strategy, Putnam provides an environment that challenges and rewards in equal measure. It’s particularly suited for candidates who seek purpose-driven consulting work within the healthcare and biotech ecosystem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Putnam consulting firm specialise in life sciences?
A: Putnam consulting firm specialises in life sciences strategy consulting, helping pharmaceutical and biotech companies with commercialization, pricing, and market access strategy across global healthcare markets.

Q: How many employees does Putnam have?
A: Putnam has more than 400 employees across 10 global offices, reflecting steady growth as a leading life sciences consulting firm.

Q: Who is the CEO of Putnam consulting?
A: The CEO of Putnam consulting is Remco op den Kelder, who leads the firm’s global operations under the Inizio Advisory network.

Q: What is the salary of associate director in Putnam?
A: The salary of an associate director at Putnam typically ranges from $150,000 to $190,000 annually, depending on performance, experience, and location.

Q: How can I pass my Putnam interview test?
A: To pass your Putnam interview test, prepare for case interviews focused on pharmaceutical and biotech scenarios, practice structured problem-solving, and demonstrate strong analytical and communication skills.