Oliver Schmidt

Pharma Executive and Business Owner

Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

About

Accomplished biopharmaceutical executive and physician-scientist with over 30 years of experience, driving innovation across global R&D, translational medicine, and clinical development. Former Vice President and Global Head at Eli Lilly, with prior leadership roles at Takeda, Novartis, AstraZeneca, and Quintiles (now IQVIA). Expert in advancing assets from candidate selection through all clinical phases to marketing authorisation across neurology, immunology, respiratory, cardiovascular, and metabolic diseases. Renowned for building and leading high-performing, cross-functional organisations, optimising development strategies, and implementing industry-first translational platforms. Combines deep medical and scientific expertise with business acumen to accelerate development pipelines, strengthen portfolio value, and deliver differentiated therapies to patients worldwide.

Experience

  • Company Owner at Candleby Studio 1, LLC dba Flow & Co Art Studio
    Apr 2024 - Present · 2 yrs 4 mos

    Founded a successful fluid art studio in Noblesville, IN, delivering hands-on creative experiences across individual, corporate, and private events. Achieved profitability within six months, while forging community partnerships to strengthen local arts initiatives. Driving strategic marketing and engagement efforts, leveraging Chamber of Commerce networks to expand reach and brand presence.

  • Eli Lilly and Company (Full-time · 7 yrs 6 mos)
    • Vice President, Early Phase Genetic Medicine, Neurology
      Jul 2022 - Apr 2024 · 1 yr 10 mos

      Led translational siRNA development program in neurodegenerative diseases

    • Global Head, Exploratory Medicine & Clinical Pharmacology
      May 2019 - Jun 2022 · 3 yrs 2 mos

      Directed the global Exploratory Medicine & Clinical Pharmacology (EMP) organisation, setting strategy across major therapeutic areas and overseeing scientific, operational, and line management functions. Led the Lilly Centre for Clinical Pharmacology (Singapore), guiding Phase I strategy, clinical innovation, and cross-site capability development. Built global external networks with academic and clinical partners to strengthen translational and early-phase development capabilities. Therapeutic areas: Neuroscience Diabetes and CV Autoimmune Diseases

    • Sr Med Dir Neuroscience, Clin Pharm and Clin Dev; Dir Lilly Centre for Clin Pharm Ltd., Singapore
      Nov 2016 - May 2019 · 2 yrs 7 mos

      Led Neuroscience therapeutic area within Clinical Pharmacology organization as well as the Neuroscience Design Hub. Introduced first-in-industry master protocol platforms for evaluation of pain interventions Enhanced organizational collaboration across research, pharmacology, and analytics.

  • Vice President Phase 1 - Head of Quintiles Drug Research Unit, London at Quintiles
    Apr 2015 - Oct 2016 · 1 yr 7 mos

    General Manager and Strategy Lead of Translational Drug Research Unit Head of Unit Executive Leadership Team Implementation and oversight of all operational processes, including: - Safety and well-being of healthy volunteers and patients - Performance of high quality translational studies - Finance, Quality Assurance and HR support functions Development and maintenance of partnerships with key customers Collaboration with and participation in business development function Leadership of initiatives in standard setting for Quality policies and procedures Integration of Unit with other company business units and Quintiles Centers of Excellence

  • Senior Medical Director, Respiratory at Takeda Pharmaceuticals Europe Ltd
    Apr 2014 - Apr 2015 · 1 yr 1 mo

    Project leader, heading interdisciplinary teams of clinicians, pharmacists and scientists, responsible for: - Design of clinical development strategies - Planning and execution of early and late trials - Exploration of asset maximization strategy Adviser on corporate strategy in respiratory medicine Medical lead and accountability for programs in various disease areas including: - Infant Respiratory Distress Syndrome - Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis - Psoriasis

  • Director, Translational Medicine Respiratory at Novartis
    Nov 2010 - Mar 2014 · 3 yrs 5 mos

    Project Leader, managing a team of 12 scientists responsible for respiratory drug development projects ranging from Candidate selection to Proof-of-Concept Clinical Pharmacology expert, leading compound profiling of late-phase projects Specialty Area: Pulmonary Hypertension Submission of compound targeting Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension for Market Authorization (NDA/MAA) Organizer and moderator of 2 day workshop and advisory board meeting on novel biomarkers and technologies for use in clinical trials investigating the efficacy of drugs in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Member of internal respiratory biomarker group Translational Medicine Representative on 2 Global Product Teams Medical Lead and overall accountability for: Proof-of-Concept study investigating the effects of a novel compound targeting acute exacerbations in COPD ADME (mass balance) study of a novel compound targeting acute exacerbations in COPD Proof-of-Concept study investigating the effects of nilotinib in patients with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Proof-of-Concept extension study investigating the long-term safety and effect on 6 minute-walking distance of imatinib in patients suffering from Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Pharmacokinetic study investigating the drug-drug interactions between imatinib, bosentan Member of ABPI Experimental Medicine Expert Network Editor of 2012 ABPI Phase 1 Guidelines