Marina Mesquida, MD MSc PhD

Ophthalmologist, Senior Medical Director, Roche pRED

Basel, Basel, Switzerland

About

I am a physician scientist working with passionate teams to develop new treatments for people with retinal diseases. As someone who practiced ophthalmology for many years and met a diverse range of patients, I strongly believe in the potential of personalized care. I strive to make a direct impact for patients by combining my years of experience in academic medicine with +9 years as a leader in the pharmaceutical industry conducting early and late stage clinical development programs in retinal diseases. Prior to joining industry, I was proud to be counted among the top global clinical experts in uveitis and acted as an advisor to academic, policy and pharma companies, as well as serving as clinical expert for the European’s Commission Horizon 2020 program. My work in the area of interleukin-6 and macular edema has been recognized with various prestigious awards. My greatest honor has been to develop vamikibart (the first-in-class IVT IL-6 MAb) from bench to bedside, from discovery all the way to Phase III and filing. In my current role I oversee the clinical strategy of programs in the retina space from early and late stage development. Collaborating closely with a wonderful team of talented scientists and clinicians, we aim to bring innovative approaches to combat retinal diseases and improve the lives of patients worldwide.

Experience

  • Roche (Full-time · 9 yrs)
    • Expert Medical Director
      Nov 2023 - Present · 2 yrs 8 mos

    • Senior Medical Director
      Jul 2017 - Nov 2023 · 6 yrs 5 mos

      Roche pRED, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd Roche is a global pioneer in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics focused on advancing science to improve people’s lives. At Roche we push the boundaries of science and patient care forward in order for patients to access the best possible treatments earlier. - Responsible for the assessment of the Ophthalmology programs during the due diligence leading to the acquisition of Spark Therapeutics. Clinical lead of the ocular Gene Therapy strategy - Clinical expert in inflammatory retinal diseases Meet Marina here: https://www.roche.com/careers/country/switzerland/ch_service/blogs/meet-marina.htm Pubmed link here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=mesquida+m&sort=date

  • Clinical Field Expert on Ocular Rare Diseases of the European Commission at European Commission
    Jul 2016 - Jun 2017 · 1 yr

    Clinical Field Expert of the European Commission - Health Research and Innovation Actions, Horizon2020 Program - Assessment and evaluation of Ocular Gene Therapy programs for inherited retinal degenerations and other ophthalmological rare disorders.

  • Head, Ophthalmology Clinical Research Unit at Fundació Clínic per a la Recerca Biomèdica
    Sep 2015 - Jun 2017 · 1 yr 10 mos

    Clinical trials in all subspecialties in the field of Ophthalmology

  • Ophthalmologist, Uveitis and Medical Retina Specialist at Hospital Clínic de Barcelona
    May 2008 - Jun 2017 · 9 yrs 2 mos

    Uveitis and Medical Retina Specialist, Cataract Surgeon

  • Postdoctoral Researcher (Hon.) at Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS)
    May 2014 - May 2017 · 3 yrs 1 mo