Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
Global Medical Affairs executive with 20 years' proven track record delivering enterprise value through: - Launch Excellence: Led 10+ specialty launches in immunology, oncology, neuroscience, and virology; pioneered early scientific platform development at Merck Serono and Actelion, shaping future drug positioning; accelerated 6 phase 2/3 programs by 2-6 months through strategic medical-clinical partnerships - Change Management: Integrated digital/AI capabilities allowing quarterly refinement of engagement targets; established medical KPIs across European countries driving consistent medical plan delivery; successfully navigated portfolio transitions and organizational transformations while maintaining business continuity - Team Building: Scaled organizations from 15 to 220+ professionals across international affiliates; promoted 5 country medical directors within 2 years; built and scaled international field medical teams by 50% - New Standards of Care: Advocated at FDA for a new HUMIRA indication; created Scientific Communication Ladders (SCL) during immunology launches, driving remission paradigm adoption; positioned innovative CLL therapy as the first time-defined treatment option. - Capability Building: Upscaled medical affairs operating models—established Medical Legal Compliance & Regulatory review processes, built field effectiveness dashboards, upgraded medical information processes; shaped affiliate medical functions from tactical support to strategic partners influencing development decisions. Unique value: PhD scientist (Nature journal editor) who translates complex science into executable strategies—from early pipeline engagement through medical excellence.
Leveraging my career break to apply my expertise in a non-profit setting. Leading the end-to-end implementation of an ERP solution at the Société Coopérative de Chandolin to streamline their accounting and resource management operations. This hands-on project allows me to expand my skills in: • Non-profit operations and governance • ERP implementation in resource-constrained environments • Cross-functional stakeholder management • Digital transformation strategy Actively planning my return to the corporate sector in 2026.
- Expanded international medical team by 70% (80+ professionals, $15M+ budget), achieving 50% increase in patient recruitment across all programs in 2024 and accelerating multiple phase 2/3/4 programs by 2-14 months (2025 R&D President Award). - Established industry-leading Continued Treatment Transition Program ensuring uninterrupted patient access post-trial (2024 R&D President Award). - Partnered with R&D/Clinical Development Operations to transform medical operating model, pioneering use of LLM and generative AI for data-driven site selection and strategy optimization. - Built diverse talent pipeline by mentoring early-career MSLs and promoting internal talent to critical positions across international affiliates.
- Directed 140+ medical professionals across 6 mid-size countries ($30M+ budget), achieving 83% engagement while renewing 5/6 country leadership positions. - Established trusted relationships with Country GMs, Market Access Directors, and HR leaders, ensuring medical affairs integration into affiliate strategic planning. - Implemented comprehensive framework delivering 250+ scientific interactions/country/year through strategic thought leader engagement and advisory boards. - Successfully navigated Allergan integration while managing diverse portfolio across immunology, virology, oncology, and neuroscience.
- Successfully managed world's largest pharmaceutical brand through loss of exclusivity by refocusing 220-person organization on risankizumab and upadacitinib launches. - Partnered with Global TA leadership to successfully advocate for ustekinumab comparator arm in pivotal risankizumab psoriasis study (IMMerge, NCT03478787), demonstrating effective global-regional alignment. - Implemented Scientific Communication Ladders driving strategic communication for upadacitinib and risankizumab launches while maintaining adalimumab’s leadership position. - Spearheaded 2 strategic observational studies (VALUE study NCT39904971 for risankizumab; AD-VISE study NCT05081557 for upadacitinib) accelerating market access, managing $70M budget within ±5% variance.
- Developed global scientific communication strategy for PAH portfolio (bosentan,, macitentan, epoprostenol, selexipag) from development through launch. - Built early scientific platforms for development assets (almorexant, ponesimod, cadazolid) in rapidly growing biotechnology environment. - First people management experience leading the medical communications team, establishing a foundation for future leadership roles.
- Directed global medical affairs communication strategy for autoimmune portfolio focusing on Raptiva (efalizumab) and pipeline assets, with late-stage addition of MedInfo responsibilities for Erbitux and Gonal-f. - Coordinated rapid publication of first PML cases in efalizumab-treated psoriasis patients (PMID: 19138293), demonstrating proactive safety communication. - Created early scientific platforms for pipeline assets (atacicept, FGF-18) across multiple therapeutic areas including RA, MS, and oncology.