Executive Profiles

‘Whole self’ approach to life and leadership keys passion for helping patients.

Motivated by forging new—and needed—pathways in drug development.

A storied climb from chemist, to Middle East sales rep, to master of product launch.

Fast riser in biotech strategy execution seizes on opportunities in immunotherapy.

Physician-scientist turned Big Pharma medical chief sees fruits of labor.

Tenacious drive to reach patients characterizes career.

How an early personal realization in healthcare focus paved path for greater impact.

Saving and transforming as many patients’ lives as possible has been the driving force behind Beth Seidenberg’s audacious career, where she has excelled as a doctor, researcher, and venture capitalist.

After helping lead Novo Nordisk on a transformational journey from a troubled 2016 to double-digit growth in 2021, Doug Langa, Executive Vice President, Head of North America Operations and President of Novo Nordisk, Inc., is calling on his experience of taking the less conventional and sometimes unexpected routes to success to lead Novo Nordisk into new territory.

Illinois BIO‘s (iBIO) new chairperson, Horizon Therapeutic‘s Marilyn Vetter, outlines the work she plans to do to expand the state’s existing life sciences ecosystem.

Ted Schroeder, CEO of Nabriva Therapeutics, is passionate in his forward-thinking approach to finding the next generation of anti-infectives, as resistance to least-expensive, tried-and-true therapies continues to grow.

Biohaven CEO Vlad Coric talks to Pharm Exec about NURTEC ODT’s swift and seismic impact on the migraine market.

Pharm Exec speaks to George Hampton, CEO of Currax, one of the only pharma companies addressing obesity and smoking.

Masahide Goto outlines the world of the Astellas Institute for Regenerative Medicine (AIRM), which serves as the company’s global hub for regenerative medicine and cell therapy research and manufacturing in ophthalmology and other therapeutic areas that have few or no available treatment options.

Ariel Katz, CEO and co-founder of H1, talks about how to find the right KOL for the right audience at the right time.

As emerging technologies are identified, C-suites need to determine how they might be pragmatically deployed as solutions to address their pain points, says IBM‘s Dr. Bernard S. Meyerson.

Myrtle Potter is no stranger to overcoming adversity. As CEO of Sumitovant Biopharma, she has used her entrepreneurship, determination, and inclusive attitude to help her persevere and achieve her highest goals while overseeing five companies—Myovant, Urovant, Enzyvant, Altavant, and Spirovant.

After two decades at the forefront of hematology and oncology drug development, AbbVie’s vice president and global head of oncology clinical development, Mohamed Zaki, MD, PhD, is more hopeful than ever about recent advances in the space.

Cyclacel CEO Spiro Rombotis talks about the changes he has seen during his 36-year experience in pharma and biotech and how he continues to be motivated by Cyclacel’s work on solid tumors and lymphomas.

Moderna Chief Medical Officer Paul Burton looks to build on culture of innovation and speed to advance COVID-19 vaccine and develop new therapies based on its novel mRNA platform, spreading hope to patients around the world.

Chris Doerr, Senior Vice President, Global Generic Sourcing, AmerisourceBergen, talks about the importance of companies taking an honest view of their current-state capabilities when embarking on the digital transformation journey.

Sajith Wickramasekara, co-founder and CEO of Benchling, talks about closing the gap between research and early-stage development to accelerate scientific breakthroughs in biopharma.

Christian Wieszner, CSL Behring UK’s new General Manager, talks about his role and his vision for the company’s UK operation going forward.

Carolynn Johnson talks about changing the diversity, equity and includsion trends among the most progressive companies.

Rafael Pharmaceuticals President and CEO Sanjeev Luther shares insights about the strategy he used to shepherd the company’s main compound, devimistat, from near-failure into Phase III trials.

Imvax CEO John Furey taps into tried-and-true powers of hope and clarity as he moves the clinical stage biotech from single program to platform company.

Open Orphan CEO Cathal Friel talks to Pharm Exec about how the company is distinctive from traditional CROs and its role in the UK’s COVID-19 human challenge study.

aTyr Pharma’s Dr. Sanjay S. Shukla talks about how his background in biostatistics, informatics and medicine is helping him and his team of researchers and scientists develop meaningful new medicines in a novel area of immunobiology, by looking at pathways where other drugs may have failed.

Lorna Meldrum, Vice President, Commercial Operations, International Markets & Pandemic at Seqirus, talks about the challenges of the influenza vaccine market and how COVID-19 has highlighted that preventing ’flu is crucial for public health.

Dr. Shankar Musunuri talks about his 25 years’ experience in biotech about his company Ocugen’s latest mission to develop, manufacture, and commercialize Bharat Biotech’s COVID-19 vaccine, COVAXIN, in the North American market.