Tres Cantos, Community of Madrid, Spain
Physician-scientist and senior global biopharma executive with deep international experience in R&D, immunology, vaccines, and global health, including leadership roles as Head of Development, Chief Medical Officer, and Chief Global Health Officer, GSK. My career has focused on translating scientific innovation into meaningful health impact, contributing to the development and worldwide licensure of 14 novel vaccines, and leading initiatives across development strategy, cross-sector partnerships, and the intersection of science, policy, and access - work that has helped improve the lives of hundreds of millions of people worldwide. I am now focused on selected board membership and strategic advisory roles in biopharma, biotech, vaccines, and global health, with a particular interest in opportunities where thoughtful strategy, scientific excellence, and public health impact ambition come together. I welcome conversations with senior leaders, boards, investors, and organizations seeking an experienced perspective at the intersection of strategy, science, governance, and health impact.
Lead the GSK Global Health organisation, a team of more than 250 outstanding people committed to change the trajectory of high burden diseases in lower-income countries with a focus on prevention and treatment of infectious diseases. In this role, I was responsible for Global Health R&D by developing new vaccines and medicines against high-burden infectious diseases in lower-income countries (1bn UK Pounds, 10year budget), for Global Health Access by pursuing equitable access to GSK’s portfolio (P&L of over 200 mil UK Pounds annually) and for Health system strengthening activities improving health equity for communities who need it most, through catalytic partnerships.
Chief Medical Officer of the extended GSK Vaccine's company (post integration of Novartis Vaccines in 2015) as well as accountable for all Vaccine Global Health activities of the company incl. COVID-19. Leading the global Medical Affairs organisation in its vertically integrated configuration (global, regional, local), Medical Governance & Compliance, Safety & Pharmacovigilance and patient access functions such as Health Economics & Epidemiology globally or in the regions. In addition, accountable for Vaccines Global Health team (interaction/collaboration with GAVI, Gates Foundation, WHO, CEPI, Covid-19 partnerships) Member of the Executive Management team, Investment Board and R&D Governance Board. Chair of Vaccines Safety Board.
Joined GSK Vaccines as head of Epidemiology. Since then, scope of responsibility has continuously increased by heading additional departments while continuing with previous responsibilities: 2003 Head of Global Safety, 2004 Head of Global Regulatory, 2007 Head of Global Clinical R&D. Since 2010 head of 1,400 people strong Global Vaccine Development organization (Clinical/Clinical Operations, Regulatory, Safety, Medical Affairs, Health Economics, Epidemiology, Medical Governance & Compliance). Member of GSK Vaccines Executive Team, Performance Board, Investment Board, Compliance Board. Chair of Safety Board, Clinical Development & Regulatory Strategy Board. Key achievements: Through direct personal investment, functional responsibility as well as governance accountability, major contribution to development, worldwide licensure as well as lifecycle management of the following products: Priorix Tetra, Fendrix, Rotarix, Synflorix, Cervarix, Pandemrix, Menitorix, Nimenrix, MenHibrix, Fluarix-, FluLaval and Fluarix Quadrivalent as well as Mosquirix and Shingrix. Identified need, designed and implemented major transformational organizational changes, e.g. - set up of a new development hub in Philadelphia, US (2008) - build up of Clinical Development nucleus into sustainable unit in Bangalore, India (2009) - created integrated Medical Access function (Medical, Epidemiology, Health Economics) (2012) - identified need, designed and implemented major cultural change program (3 year global program resulting in self-published book - “How to WOW, ways of working that really work” (2011-2013) - outsourced major activities (safety data entry, scientific writing, data management, clinical monitoring) (2013) - completely reorganized Clinical Operations (new management team, structure, processes, ways of operating (2013)
The RKI is the German federal public health institute reporting into the Ministry of Health. At the time the institute underwent a historic change from a laboratory based research institute into a public health institute underpinned by a major change in the German law (“Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act”). Appointed into newly created position. Transformed a small group of 10 scientist into a 50 people strong infectious disease epidemiology department with clearly defined accountabilities such as infectious disease research, outbreak investigations, national surveillance and assistance to the Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) in the development and implementation of vaccination recommendations. Implementation of the new law. Provided continuous scientific guidance into the interpretation of the new law. Facilitated design and rolled out of novel surveillance system (SurvNet@RKI) across Germany. Extended the German Field Epidemiology Training Programme in close collaboration with the European Programme for Intervention Epidemiology Training (EPIET). Secured additional European funding through successful grant applications. Oversaw multiple national outbreak investigations. Acted as Institutes media spokesperson on topics of infectious diseases of national interest. Representative of the German Government in the Network Committee for communicable diseases of the EU Commission (before the creation of the European ECDC) as well as the Council of European State Epidemiologists (CESE).
The Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) is a highly selective two-year program for epidemiologists run by the CDC. Around 80 “EIS Officers”, popularly called “disease detectives” are selected by the CDC among hundreds of applicants. Around 5 non-US citizens are hired every year into the prestigious program. EIS officers are assigned to operational branches within the CDC to perform national and international outbreak and epidemic investigations. They also perform disease surveillance, public health policy work and are CDC’s field force for scientific and public education. EIS officers (aprox. 2500 total since the initiation of the program) are a close knit lifelong network of public health experts who hold key positions in the US Public Health Service, prestigious Public Health institutions (e.g. WHO), as well as the private sector. Key achievements as EIS officer: Successfully solved and stopped several severe multistate outbreaks related to food products with hundreds of people affected. Led core team of investigators, created calm and focus under extreme time pressure, coordinated investigation and decision-making efforts across many stakeholders in different US states (CDC, state- and local public health departments, FDA, USDA) and co-led food plant and environmental investigations. Outcome of investigations resulted in federal policy changes, changes in recommendations to food production and consumption, peer-reviewed publications and a prominently featured article in Time Magazine (cover article). In addition, active contribution to federal surveillance programs (e.g. FoodNet), publications in CDCs weekly publication (MMWR) and educational work in the sector of food consumption and processing.
In parallel to studying for a Master of Science in Epidemiology at the University of Texas, School of Public Health, Houston, I performed applied research in the field of Gastroenterology with focus on Helicobacter pylori research. My work resulted in 5 peer-reviewed publications (all first author).
Clinical work in University hospital with focus in Gastroenterology, Intensive care Medicine, Nephrology (including dialysis and kidney transplant unit) and Tropical Medicine. Excelled in situations of extreme pressure (lead physician medical intensive care unit, medical coordination of kidney transplantations, endoscopic emergency interventions as accountable physician on duty. Next to patient care, accountable for routine diagnostic laboratory for Internal Medicine University Hospital in Bonn (30 lab technicians). In charge of medical sign off all diagnostic activities, quality control and human resource activities (1989-1993).