Ronald van der Rol

Chief Commercial Officer, Europe & International @ Azurity | Building accountable, high-performing teams that deliver results and enjoy the ride | Global launch leader across small molecules, biologics & cell therapy.

Zug, Zug, Switzerland

About

I lead the commercial organization for Azurity Pharmaceuticals across Europe and International markets, driving geographic expansion through new product launches and go-to-market models built to maximize portfolio performance. Over nearly three decades in pharma and biotech, I've built and led commercial organizations spanning small molecules, biologics, and cell therapy. That has meant full P&L ownership, managing alliance partners across 50+ countries, and a string of launches across neurology, immunology, respiratory, and oncology — from TYSABRI, PLEGRIDY and TECFIDERA to OZANIMOD, ABECMA and BREYANZI. I'm proudest of the work at the frontier: I was the first commercial leader in GSK's ex-US oncology cell therapy organization and helped pioneer the cell CAR-T therapy commercial playbook at Celgene/BMS, preparing markets for therapies that didn't yet have a template. What I care about most is performance built on accountability and ownership. The results that last come from teams that trust each other, collaborate across functions, and keep the patient at the center. Board Member, Azurity Pharmaceuticals Switzerland GmbH. M&A executive education, Imperial College Business School. Dutch, English, German. Photographer when I'm off the clock.

Experience

  • Azurity Pharmaceuticals (Zug, Switzerland · On-site)
    • Head of Corporate Marketing & Communications
      Mar 2026 - Present · 4 mos

      𝐓𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞, 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐞.

    • Chief Commercial Officer (CCO)
      Mar 2025 - Present · 1 yr 4 mos

    • Board Member Azurity Pharmaceuticals Switzerland GmbH
      Jun 2025 - Present · 1 yr 1 mo

  • Vice President, General Manager Europe & International Markets, Global Commercial Head at Covis Pharma
    Nov 2022 - Apr 2025 · 2 yrs 6 mos

    VP, General Manager European & International and Global Commercial Head - Member of the Companies' Executive Leadership Team, reporting to the CEO, leading the portfolio strategy development & commercial execution. • P&L responsible for the respiratory portfolio Asthma & COPD. Working with approximately - 15 distributors and alliance partners across > 50 countries. • Leading the Commercial Operations Team, responsible for strategic alliances and geographical expansion. • Developing and executing international market strategies, optimising commercial performance. • Managing global commercial teams, exceeding revenue targets and driving market expectations.

  • Global Commercialization Lead Cell and Gene Therapy & Global Marketing Lead momelotinib at GSK
    Feb 2021 - Oct 2022 · 1 yr 9 mos

    The first commercial leader in the EU Oncology Cell Therapy organisation, as part of the global cell-therapy team. Responsible for bringing cell therapies to patients across Ex-US markets mainly EU, Asia, Australia & Canada. Design and develop the exUS Cell Therapy commercial organization and lead the ExUS launch of GSK's cell therapy assets. • Led global commercialisation strategy for GSK'794, a breakthrough cell and gene therapy product. • Generated market insights and analyzed competitive landscape to inform strategic decision-making. Global marketing lead for momelotinib (MMB), leading the integration of the Sierra Oncology marketing team following the acquisition and set up the GSK global marketing team. Leading the cross-functional development of the MMB strategic brand plan with strong global & regional co-creation & collaboration.

  • Bristol Myers Squibb (On-site)
    • Global Commercial CAR T Franchise Lead, Worldwide Hematology
      Oct 2018 - Jan 2021 · 2 yrs 4 mos

      Responsible for the design & implementation of Celgene's global CAR T Franchise platform for ex-US markets. Global Marketing team lead, with my team members being based both in US & Europe, collaborated across functions on the development of the operational model strategy. • Spearheaded global marketing strategy for CAR-T therapy, driving growth and market preparation for product launches in Europe and International. • Developed and implemented innovative marketing campaigns to increase brand awareness and CAR-T therapy market share. • Collaborated with key stakeholders to optimize pricing, access, and reimbursement strategies globally.

    • Senior Director Commercial, Brand Lead Inflammation & Immunology at Celgene
      Apr 2016 - Sep 2018 · 2 yrs 6 mos

      Head of Regional Marketing & Commercial Operations Team, I&I Franchise: Commercial Lead for OZANIMOD for the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis, Ulcerative Colitis & Crohns' Disease | Head of Marketing for OTEZLA | Chief of Staff to Head of Europe I&I to optimize the commercial success. • Developed and executed comprehensive commercial plans to drive revenue growth and market expansion. • Implemented marketing strategies to increase market share and brand awareness in competitive landscape. • Managed cross-functional teams, fostering collaboration and achieving key commercial objectives.

  • Biogen (Full-time · 15 yrs 2 mos)
    • Senior Director, Business Operations Europe & Canada
      Oct 2009 - Feb 2016 · 6 yrs 5 mos

      Define and operationalise commercial strategies for current & future products strong in collaboration with Global Marketing team and the 21 country affiliates. Prepare and execute the planning and execution of the EU+ Summer conference for 1000 people (2012 & 2014). EU+ Commercial Lead in the development of treatments for SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy) & ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). • Led cross-functional teams to exceed revenue targets in Europe & Canada markets. • Implemented streamlined operational processes, increasing efficiency and reducing costs. • Developed strategic partnerships in Europe & Canada to expand market presence. • Data driven strategic decision-making and optimize business operations in multiple regions. • Leading the x-functional preparation for the launch of TECFIDERA (Multiple Sclerosis). • EU+ Commercial Lead for the launch of 'FAMPYRA', a symptomatic treatment for people with MS (Multiple Sclerosis). • Led the Regional go-to-market preparations in terms of marketing, sales and managed the Joint Collaboration Committee with the partner company Acorda (which was responsible for US).

    • Associate Director, Country Manager Belgium & Luxemburg
      Jan 2007 - Nov 2009 · 2 yrs 11 mos

      Led the organisational startup and development of the local team, led strategic planning initiatives to drive market expansion to drive commercial success across Belgium & Luxemburg. • Build-out a stand-alone country organisation from 6 people in 2007 to 18 people at the end of 2009. • Negotiated high-profile partnerships and collaborations to enhance market positioning and obtain broad market access. • Successfully launched TYSABRI (MS treatment) in 2007. Together with the team the reimbursement criteria were broadened to make TYSABRI available to more people with MS.

    • Market Analyst, Product Manager & Sales Manager Benelux
      Jan 2001 - Dec 2006 · 6 yrs

      Held various positions in the BeNeLux organisation; Market Analyst, Product & Sales manager in Neurology. • Developed and implemented strategic sales plans to drive revenue and market share growth. • Identified and capitalized on new market opportunities to drive business expansion. • Led cross-functional teams in product development, marketing, and sales activities.