Rafal PAWLOWSKI, PhD

BioPharma | Strategy | Investor Relations

Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland

About

Biopharma executive combining scientific depth with commercial and strategic experience, bringing a broad perspective shaped by a nearly 20 years career across academia, consulting and industry. Big passion outside science and industry: General Aviation: Instrument-rated Private Pilot License (PPL). Industry experience: ▪️ Thorough understanding of drug development and commercialization ▪️ Cross-functional experience: Investor Relations, Product Strategy, Medical Affairs, Commercial, Competitive Intelligence, Market Access, R&D and Clinical Development ▪️ International experience at Global and Regional level and across major markets ▪️ Knowledge of major Therapeutic Areas including: Oncology, Hematology, Respiratory, Metabolism Disorders & Diabetes, Immunology, Gastroenterology, Neurology, Ophthalmology and Rare Diseases Scientific credentials: ▪️ Postdoc in Cancer Research at ETH (Switzerland) ▪️ PhD in Molecular Biology from UCL (UK) ▪️ MSc in Biotechnology from Jagiellonian University (Poland) ▪️ 1000+ citations ▪️ 7 papers in peer-reviewed journals Key qualities and attributes: ▪️ Curiosity: the "why?" ▪️ Critical thinking: spontaneously engaging in reflective and independent thinking ▪️ Structure & analysis: strong belief in an informed, evidence-based, data-driven decision making ▪️ Belief that attention to detail and "big picture view" are not mutually exclusive ▪️ Top 3 CliftonStrengths: 1) Analytical, 2) Intellection, 3) Strategic (https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/253715/34-cliftonstrengths-themes.aspx)

Experience

  • Investor Relations Officer at Roche
    Jun 2025 - Present · 1 yr 1 mo

  • Strategic Advisory & Consulting at Self-employed
    Nov 2023 - Jun 2025 · 1 yr 8 mos

    ▪️ Freelance consulting, member of the Insider Group, an advisory founded on decades of industry experience ▪️ Strategic advisory at Fusiomica, a biotechnology startup focused on utilisation of protein engineering and AI in drug discovery

  • AstraZeneca (Full-time · 4 yrs 4 mos)
    • Portfolio Director, Business Planning and Operations
      Nov 2021 - Oct 2023 · 2 yrs

      Drove evolution of Global Medical Affairs into a tumor-aligned model; orchestrated strategic and tactical planning across assets; partnered with Head of Breast Cancer to ensure pull through across the franchise.

    • Medical Affairs Lead: Hematology Europe & Canada (Interim)
      Jan 2021 - Oct 2021 · 10 mos

      Led the Hematology franchise in Europe & Canada, driving successful launch and uptake of Calquence. ▪️Developed strategic priorities for the Hematology franchise, identified gaps, and initiated key regional tactics for the successful launch of Calquence in Europe & Canada ▪️Provided strategic guidance to Country Hematology Medical Teams, fostering cross-country synergies and facilitating best practice sharing ▪️Established relationships with medical experts and societies like EHA and ERIC to enhance company visibility and credibility

    • Strategy & Operations Lead: Oncology Europe & Canada
      Jul 2019 - Dec 2020 · 1 yr 6 mos

      Had an instrumental role in building and developing Medical Affairs in Europe, taking it through structural changes, improving effectiveness, while ensuring successful launch of key brands: Imfinzi, Tagrisso, Lynparza. ▪️ Functioned alongside the Head of Oncology EUCAN Medical Affairs as main strategic adviser and thought partner to drive business decision making in support of execution of the oncology portfolio strategy ▪️ Successfully managed multiple project teams and vendors, often without formal authority, achieving 100% on-plan and on-budget execution of the key EU&CAN Medical Affairs projects in 2019-2021

  • Associate Director, Strategic Planning & Launch Excellence at Shire
    Dec 2017 - Jun 2019 · 1 yr 7 mos

    Learned business operations and strategic planning, while supporting decision making as Chief of Staff to the VP, Head of Global Medical Affairs Hematology (Advate, Adynovate, Vonvendi). ▪️ Provided strategic planning, operational and project management support to Global Medical Affairs Hematology Franchise ▪️ Ensured project and budget planning, forecasting and execution; established tracking and reporting ▪️ Organized and facilitated leadership meetings and prepared key senior leadership presentations ▪️ Consistently maintained tactic execution on budget, while overseeing 20+ MM USD ▪️ Developed, implemented and improved capabilities and processes (e.g. metrics and KPIs, finance and budgeting process, congress best practice playbook, MSL excellence work streams) ▪️ Developed templates and guidance for the Global Medical Affairs annual planning ▪️ Liaised with R&D, Commercial and Market Access to ensure cross-functional franchise alignment

  • Strategy Consultant at inVentiv Health Consulting
    Aug 2015 - Nov 2017 · 2 yrs 4 mos

    Delivered high profile strategic projects across functions (Commercial, Medical Affairs, Market Access, Clinical), therapeutic areas and companies, e.g.: ▪️Evidence strategy in support of uptake of an asset in Dry Eye Disease ▪️Launch plan of the first BCL2 inhibitor in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia ▪️Patient journey mapping for an FLT3 inhibitor in Acute Myeloid Leukemia ▪️Clinical and CMC plan for a Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma asset