Context
Miltenyi Biotec is a leader in life sciences and biotechnology, developing cutting-edge products for cell research and therapy. The company's product ecosystem is highly complex, with advanced instruments, consumables and software used in critical medical contexts. The challenge: develop a product extension strategy for an existing platform to make it upgradable for a new innovative technological feature, without compromising on the rigor demanded in clinical environments.
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My role
I developed the product extension strategy, working closely with engineers, scientists and business leaders. My responsibilities included:
Identifying opportunities for improved usability and workflow efficiency
Industrial design and interface refinement in alignment with technical and regulatory constraints
Created a product extension strategy resulting in portfolio management of the product line
Championed design thinking methodology in a highly technical domain
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Approach
This project was all about interdisciplinary collaboration between highly specialized fields. In order to succeed, I focused on:
User centered research – Shadowed lab technicians and researchers to uncover pain points
Design optimization – Streamlined ergonomics, interfaces and interactions of instruments
Cross-funtional collaboration – Introduced design thinking to scientific expertise
Strategic roadmapping – Defined how design could support product evolution and innovation
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Impact
Product extension – Ensured compatibility for an existing platform with a new technological feature
Product optimization – Enhanced ergonomics and clarity of use for critical instruments
Strategic influence – Elevated the role of design in an engineering-driven organization
Long-term value – Established a design roadmap that supported innovation beyond single products
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Reflection
Working with Miltenyi Biotec showed me how design can unlock value in the most complex and high-stakes environments. It was not about aesthetics, but about precision, empathy and strategy, proving that good design has direct impact on scientific progress and patient outcomes.
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