Novartis Pharmaceuticals
2013-2025 • Global Headquarters, Basel, Switzerland
Executive Director, Clinical Development Medical Head Region Europe (Head of Clinical Research Medical Advisors – CRMA), Global Drug Development (GDD)
1/2021-4/2024
- For Europe (>50% contribution to Novartis global trials), headed CRMAs who act as country expert representatives of global clinical teams (approx. 100 FTEs, 10 direct reports, approx. $25M budget); established and set up the CRMA Europe organization including interfaces with partner functions such as Global Clinical Operations and Medical Affairs
- Through leadership of CRMAs in Europe across the entire Novartis portfolio, ensured incorporation of high-quality insights from country KOLs/PIs into superior global clinical development plans and protocols, and oversees dedicated local clinical support for successful and timely execution of global clinical trials
Sr. Medical Director, Neuroscience Clinical Development, GDD
11/2016-12/2020
- Designed and executed clinical development plans in Alzheimer's and Multiple Sclerosis (MS), including medical monitoring and reporting to support decision milestones, health authority interactions and budget targets
- Medical Lead for the successful pivotal program of ofatumumab (Kesimpta) in Multiple Sclerosis (ASCLEPIOS) including health authority submissions, responses and negotiations; delivered the fastest database lock in company history (44 days), FDA approval in 2020 and EMA approval 2021
Director, Pharma Strategy and M&A
12/2014-11/2016
- Identified, analyzed and executed M&A opportunities; placed proposed deals within context of Novartis strategy and pipeline, represented potential M&A transactions at the top management level of Novartis
- Led acquisition of Spinifex Pharmaceuticals into Neuroscience Development Unit in 2015 ($200M upfront)
- Led divestment of Genoptix (a commercial/clinical testing laboratory acquired in 2011), divested in 2017
Sr. Manager, Development Strategy and Digital Clinical Development, GDD
8/2013-11/2014
- Led high-impact cross-functional and cross-divisional projects for clinical trial optimization and acceleration, including incorporation of new technologies, resulting in ongoing multi-million-dollar annual savings for the enterprise
- Led Novartis participation in $16M Series B financing in Seventh Sense Biosystems (now YourBio Health) and Novartis investment in Clinical Ink, a leading provider of digital solutions for clinical trials
Trinity Life Sciences
9/2010-6/2013 • Boston, MA, USA
Sr. Consultant/Project Lead
9/2010-6/2013
- Led projects including marketing strategy for a leading branded analgesic, a comprehensive R&D prioritization for a biotech startup (Ra Pharmaceuticals), commercialization and partnering strategy for an emerging CNS biotech, projection of hepatitis C patients based on national claims data to establish competitive advantage for an early market leader, and clinical development strategy for new biologics in rheumatoid arthritis
L.E.K. Consulting
7/2008-8/2010 • Boston, MA, USA
Sr. Life Science Specialist
7/2008-8/2010
- Executed strategic projects for major biopharma companies in product development strategy, corporate strategy including identification and evaluation of M&A targets, and strategic evaluation of alliances
- Performed due diligence resulting in a $2.6B acquisition of the target biotech (Sepracor)