Q&A
Wisp interim CEO Monica Cepak speaks with PharmaVoice, sharing how the company challenges double standards in women's health topics with bold advertising strategies, and introduces its telehealth service expansion plans and 90-day work priorities.
Adele Gulfo, who has repeatedly succeeded in launching blockbuster drugs, believes that commercialization does not rely solely on sales teams or advertising spend. She emphasizes that understanding product value, focusing on scientific evidence, and placing patients at the core of decision-making are the keys to winning. This article reviews her commercialization journey from Lipitor to Crestor and explores her new practices in driving data-driven commercialization at Sumitomo Pharma America.
In 2002, a Time magazine cover depicted clinical trial volunteers as "guinea pigs," a controversial image that prompted Ken Getz to found CISCRP the following year, dedicated to patient education and clinical trial connections. Two decades later, as Executive Director of the Tufts Center for the Study of Drug Development, Getz has become a recognized leader in the field. In this article, he shares insights on the evolution of clinical trial design, industry efficiency challenges, and his passion for the patient engagement movement.
When Helen Sabzevari pursued her PhD in the 1980s and 1990s, she was determined to harness the immune system to fight cancer, amid widespread skepticism. Today, as CEO of clinical-stage biotechnology company Precigen, she leads her team in using the UltraCAR-T non-viral platform to compress autologous T-cell manufacturing to within 24 hours and advancing multiple gene therapy pipelines. This article reviews her journey from Iran to New York, from the NIH to industry, and her commitment to 'leaving no patient behind.'
In the 2023 PharmaVoice Red Jacket Awards feature, Dr. Jeremy Levin, CEO and Chairman of Ovid Therapeutics, reflects on his career, sharing profound insights into innovation in the biopharmaceutical industry, leadership blind spots, and personal legacy.
After a brief retirement, Dr. Mark Goldberg returned to the industry and now leads the CRO company Allucent. He reflects on his 21 years at Parexel, early medical imaging applications, and discusses technology trends in clinical trials, including decentralized trials and AI applications.
Actor Greg Grunberg, whose 27-year-old son Jake has epilepsy, has long been dedicated to patient advocacy. He launched the 'Talk About It' and 'The Care Giver' video series with Jazz Pharmaceuticals to eliminate epilepsy stigma and connect the caregiver community. Grunberg emphasizes that patient experiences should be a core consideration in pharmaceutical R&D and calls on more people to join the conversation.
In this 'Five-Minute Interview,' IDEA Pharma CEO Mike Rea discusses career highlights, common misconceptions about innovation in the pharmaceutical industry, how the company maintains an innovative culture, and personal aspects of his life, including founding a British university American football league, running an independent music label, and participating in dog fostering.
Day One Biopharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing targeted cancer therapies for patients of all ages. Its core strategy is to initiate pediatric and adolescent clinical trials early in adult trials, rather than waiting for adult drug approval before expanding to pediatric indications. The company has submitted a rolling New Drug Application to the FDA for tovorafenib in treating relapsed or progressive pediatric low-grade glioma, with an expected decision on acceptance by mid-November. CEO Jeremy Bender emphasizes that through the principles of 'the right project, the right patient population, and the right biology,' the company aims to develop new drugs faster and more efficiently, while improving the quality of life for pediatric patients.
The 2023 PharmaVoice 100 list has been officially released, honoring exceptional leaders who play pivotal roles in key areas of the pharmaceutical industry, including cutting-edge science, entrepreneurship, management acumen, and improvements in patient clinical outcomes. The list shows that as the turbulence of the pandemic subsides, the industry is refocusing on foundational pillars while also building emerging ones. Honorees go beyond their core responsibilities, excelling in breakthrough science, healthcare accessibility, DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion), and the cultivation of next-generation leadership. However, the industry still faces challenges such as a slowdown in early-stage scientific investment, drug pricing controversies, and health disparities. An editorial note indicates that starting in 2025, this list will be discontinued and replaced by year-round thematic series to continue covering outstanding leaders.