Pharm Exec Podcast

Edward Triebell, Commercial Executive Director for MRN Technologies, discusses the biggest digital trends in clinical research right now, how COVID-19 impacted the use of digital within sponsors and CROs, what the future of DCT services looks like, and much more.

David Klein, co founder and CEO of Click Therapeutics, discusses the new FDA SaMD guidance, the clear differences between companion apps and SaMD, and gives insight into what to expect from this combination in the future.

In this exclusive Pharm Exec Podcast episode with Paul Biondi, executive partner at Flagship Pioneering (the venture creation firm behind Moderna and many other life science firms) and president of Pioneering Medicines, Meg Rivers, managing editor, asks Biondi about 1) the process of founding a company; 2) what factors they consider when deciding whether to partner with a pharmaceutical company (like your partnership with Novo Nordisk) or a foundation (like your partnership with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation)—along with what makes one organization stand out from another; 3) where science is booming in pharma right now; 4) deciding whether to found a company looking to launch innovations in an existing space vs. pursue innovations in an untapped space; and 5) signs that a company will achieve commercial success from early on.

Commercialization is a tough road to navigate even for the most established bio/pharmaceutical therapies. But as cell and gene therapies (CGTs) continue to form roots and make a splash worldwide—but specifically in the US—commercialization forms its own version of standardization and best practices. In this exclusive interview with Pharmaceutical Executive, Lung-I Cheng, vice president of CGT, Cencora (formerly AmerisourceBergen), discusses: 1) defining CGT commercialization strategies and foundational knowledge—and the best music metaphor 2) what he wishes companies knew about commercialization strategies 3) common knowledge gaps of CGTs 4) how CGT developers can overcome key challenges, including those related to patient access, regulatory requirements, and market access 5) how planning for allogeneic cell therapies differs from autologous cell therapies and gene therapies 6) how companies can demonstrate CGT value as more products enter the development pipeline (and competition intensifies) 7) when to start planning a CGT commercialization strategy 8) predictions for the CGT market in five years

Gerald Kierce, co founder and CEO of Trustible and Andrew Gamino-Cheong, the company's CTO and co founder, delve into the realm of artificial intelligence discussing Trustible's mission and its pioneering efforts to ensure ethical AI use particularly in the pharmaceutical industry, and how it navigates complex AI regulations across the globe.

How to price a bio/pharmaceutical drug is one of the most complex topics for pharmaceutical executives, as there are many factors to consider. Alice Valder Curran, life sciences regulatory expert and partner, Hogan Lovells LLP, reveals the following to Pharmaceutical Executive® in this exclusive Pharm Exec Podcast interview: 1) the biggest drug pricing challenges today; 2) current efforts to lower drug pricing; 3) what companies should consider as it relates to drug pricing from a legal perspective; 3) the status of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), specifically what should companies be watching for; 4) potential impact on companies from the IRA; 5) IRA milestones we will be seeing through the end of the year; and 6) drug pricing recommendations (from a legal perspective). ACT podcast: https://www.appliedclinicaltrialsonline.com/editorial-podcasts

In this podcast, Sharlene Jenner, vice president of engagement strategy at Abelson Taylor and professor of AI and personalization for digital marketers at Southern Methodist University, leads a panel of five industry leaders in a roundtable discussion. The conversation delves into the practicalities of current AI applications and confronts the ethical and regulatory issues related to the technology. The panelists also explore the direct consequences and prospective implications of AI, providing listeners with a snapshot of the present and an outlook on the transformative potential of emerging technologies in the pharmaceutical marketing sphere. The panel consists of: Faruk Capan, chief innovation officer, EVERSANA, and CEO, EVERSANA INTOUCH; Anurag Banerjee, CEO and founder, Quilt.AI; Jeff Headd, vice president, commercial data science, The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson; and Stephen Onikoro, senior principal, head of strategy, PharmaForceIQ. Sponsored by: ZS https://www.zs.com/

In this podcast, Mohit Manrao, the SVP and head of US oncology at AstraZeneca, shares his journey from growing up in Northern India with aspirations of becoming a doctor, to leading oncology initiatives at AstraZeneca in the US. A central strategy to ultimately eliminate cancer includes ensuring that the latest scientific advancements are accessible to patients in every zip code and the necessity of integrating the patient perspective at every stage—from early discovery to commercialization, recognizing the importance of diverse patient needs, non-invasive diagnostics, and alleviating challenges in access to screenings and treatments.

Welcome to a riveting episode of the Pharm Exec podcast, where we dive headfirst into the transformative world of AI in healthcare with Sharlene Jenner, vice president of engagement strategy with the award-winning agency Abelson Taylor. This enlightening conversation traverses the advancements and potential risks of AI, the revolution it is stirring in pharmaceutical marketing, and its game-changing role in understanding complex protein structures. Amid the rapid innovation, we explore the urgent need for ethical guidelines and regulations to keep pace with technology.

We all know that the pharma industry is about people—bettering the lives of others through good research, life-changing pharmaceuticals, and keeping the patient front and center. But Jag Dosanjh, president, US neuroscience and eye care, AbbVie, lives that principle. In this podcast episode, Meg Rivers, managing editor, talks with Dosanjh about what he calls a “people business” and his approach to leadership. He starts his career in the medical sales space before working in many different roles and therapeutic areas before ultimately landing at AbbVie. He was also nominated HBA's mentor of the year and shares insights into being a good leader and mentor. One of his tips was: “If you listen well, you can learn well.” In addition, he emphasized the importance of curiosity, learning, and the pursuit of a smile.

This Pharma 50 companion episode delves into the vital topic of trust within the pharmaceutical industry. Morton Nielsen, senior partner for the life sciences practice at Wittkieffer, dissects the concept, drawing on parallels to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, and discusses practical methods for measuring and operationally improving trust. This episode is a must-listen for those interested in understanding the current state and future evolution of trust in the pharmaceutical sector, an industry where trust forms a fundamental pillar for delivering on its mission statement. Read the 2023 Pharma 50 article here: https://www.pharmexec.com/view/2023-pharm-exec-top-50-companies

The 2023 Emerging Pharma Leaders share with Meg Rivers, managing editor of Pharmaceutical Executive, and the editorial team what makes a good leader, what has made them the proudest in their career, lessons they wish they had known when starting out, and more. Congratulations to the 2023 Emerging Pharma Leaders: Natasha A. Hernday, chief business officer, Seagen; Simon Holland, vice president, women's health commercial lead, Organon; Justin To, chief operating officer, skeletal dysplasias and gene therapy, Bridge Bio; Frank Watanabe, president and CEO, Arcutis Biotherapeutics; and Hanadie Yousef, PhD, co-founder and CEO, Juvena Therapeutics. SPONSOR: APEX Awards https://www.pharmexec.com/apex-awards

Launching a drug and receiving approvals—whether it's in the U.S. or globally—is challenging to navigate. It's a process that often takes years and a lot of back-and-forth communication with regulatory bodies. In this episode, Torrey Cope, partner, food, drug, and medical device practice, Sidley Austin LLP, discusses drug approvals and drug launches from a legal perspective, including 1) his work as an attorney; 2) tips for drug approvals from a legal perspective; 3) current regulatory challenges the industry is facing in the U.S.; 4) the shift away from a one-sized-fits all approach to marketing and global launches; 5) tips for companies navigating the regulatory landscape in the U.S.; 6) when to launch a drug in a country outside of the U.S.; and 7) drug pricing. Join Meg Rivers, managing editor, as she dives into this topic with Cope.

In this episode of the Pharmaceutical Executive Podcast, we dive into a conversation with Frank Watanabe, president and CEO of Arcutis, a medical dermatology company with a patient-first approach. Discover how Arcutis is transforming the dermatology landscape with its innovative product offerings, such as FDA-approved Zoryve for topical treatment of plaque psoriasis and their upcoming products for seborrheic dermatitis and atopic dermatitis. Learn about the company's guiding principles, the importance of keeping patients at the forefront of decision-making, and the need for further innovation in the dermatology sector after decades of stagnation.

Elizabeth (Beth) Garner, chief scientific officer for Ferring Pharmaceuticals, speaks with Meg Rivers, managing editor, about: 1) her journey into the world of pharma, including her transition from being a physician/surgeon to working in clinical trials; 2) both women's and men's reproductive health; 3) the latest technologies in fertility treatment (for men and women); 4) unmet needs in fertility care; 5) trends in contraception and fertility treatment; 6) DE&I and access to care, and 7) predictions for the contraception and fertility treatment spaces in the coming years

Two companies join forces to unlock the hidden potential in existing drugs to save lives suffering from rare diseases. In 2010, Dr. David Fajgenbaum, co-founder, Every Cure, was a third-year medical student when he became critically ill with Castleman disease (CD). After months of hospitalization and in critical condition, nearly dying several times, he launched an initiative to find treatments to save his life and others. Fajgenbaum and Michelle Longmire, CEO and co-founder, Medable—both physicians and entrepreneurs—team up in a new partnership to treat rare diseases by repurposing drugs that are already on the market and finding other therapeutic areas where these drugs can have an impact.

Cathi Ahearn is a seasoned biotechnology leaders with formative stints at Genentech, Roche, and now at Bristol Myers Squibb, as SVP of worldwide commercial portfolio strategy. Cathi is focused on one goal: shortening the path between creating medical innovation and getting that innovation to patients. Cathi chats with senior editor at Pharmaceutical Executive about her experiences in the past 20+ years and most importantly, the power of cross-functional collaboration, bringing different teams together and tearing down silos that limit the impact new innovations can have for patients.

Across most industries, finding and keeping the right talent is a constant challenge for companies. This challenge is perhaps even more prevalent in the pharmaceutical industry, which requires a significant amount of specialization. Rebekah Martin, senior VP of reward, inclusion, and talent acquisition for AstraZeneca, discusses recruiting talent in pharma with Meg Rivers, managing editor. Specifically, Martin talks about 1) her journey into pharma; 2) reasons that finding and keeping talent is a challenge today in pharma; 3) ways to address the need for talent; 4) identifying and nurturing young talent; 5) increasing interest in working in bio/pharma, particularly among students; 6) how talent can be nurtured; and 7)how the industry can support and encourage diversity in the workforce.

Join Tina Fascetti, CCO of The Agency Network at MJH Life Sciences for a podcast interview with Ryan Potter, ACD Art, and Priscila Ramos, ACD Copy, from McCann Health as they share the "behind the creative" story of their Apex Award-winning consumer creative campaign for Entresto. The Apex Awards is judged by none other than the people they are aimed to connect with, the patients themselves.

In his position, Faruk Capan leads thousands of employees around the globe with a focus on bold innovation—one can imagine how excited he is about Chat GPT, which set the record for fastest-growing user base in history. Senior editor Fran Pollaro and Faruk go back and forth about positives, negatives, hopes, and fears attached to generative AI for us as regular humans, and as pharma marketers. The pair delve into content creation, creative, video production, research, sales and marketing…it's clear that we're on the precipice of life-changing innovation.

It is no easy feat to break into a male-dominated field as a woman, no less the bio/pharmaceutical industry. Piper Trelstad, PhD, head of chemistry, manufacturing, and control (CMC), Bill & Melinda Gates Medical Research Institute, shares with Meg Rivers, editor-in-chief of Pharmaceutical Executive, her experiences working in the industry, specifically in the vaccines space, as well as what it was like for her moving up the ranks as a woman. Other topics discussed include Trelstad's predictions for more women working at the C-suite level, the inner workings of the Bill & Melinda Gates Medical Research Institute (including work on an infant probiotic), insight into her personal journey, and more.

Amanda Powers-Han, chief marketing officer at Greater Than One, has a couple of decades in the industry and is always on top of the latest trends in marketing and media for the pharma industry. She talks with senior editor Fran Pollaro about the ascension of social media as an incremental investment to one that is foundational. The pair delve into the honed focus on HCPs, especially in the rare disease space, building out sophisticated targeting strategies via multiple data partners, and the different uses across the social landscape, especially with video—from HCP social sites like Dermo and Medscape to the topical Twitter and its recognized peers like TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Cell and gene therapies are at the tip of everyone's tongues in biopharma. Significant headway has been made in this space, though there is more research that needs to be done and many more therapeutic areas to eventually apply this method of treatment to. Chris Fox, president of Novartis Gene Therapies, shares insights into her work with gene therapies and discusses commercialization challenges. Through its gene therapies business, Novartis builds on the capabilities created through its experience with Zolgensma, a gene therapy for spinal muscular atrophy. Fox also dives into how she entered the pharma space, her role at Novartis, balancing work and home life, and what the Novartis team is most proud of from 2022 as well as what they are most excited about in 2023.

As a society and industry, we're emerging out of a period of hyper-accelerated digital and virtual growth, a positive born out of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many in the industry are wondering how the sales force is going to look and how they're going to approach and communicate effectively with HCPs and patients. Pratap Khedkar, CEO of ZS, discusses this time of change with senior editor, Fran Pollaro, as well as the implications associated with the Inflation Reduction Act, the focus and importance of patient-centricity, what we might see in 2023 in the sales and marketing vertical, and more.

On this week's episode, Meg Rivers, editor-in-chief, and Miranda Schmalfuhs, group social media editor, speak with Steve Paul, chairman of the board, president, and CEO of Karuna Therapeutics, as well as Andrew Miller, founder and chief operating officer of Karuna Therapeutics. Miller was also one of Pharm Exec's 2020 Emerging Pharma Leaders. The editors speak with Paul and Miller about the following: 1) their journey into pharma; 2) the factors that impact their decision to pursue any individual drug product; 3) the mental health/disorder treatment landscape; 4) what treatment has been like, historically, for schizophrenia and psychosis in Alzheimer's disease; 5) the company's drug, KarXT, which is being evaluated in schizophrenia and psychosis in Alzheimer's disease; and 6) potential marketing and commercialization challenges for KarXT.

Marcella Milliet Sciorra, Chief Marketing Officer at DeepIntent, discusses Connected TV, or CTV, how it differs from over the top, and how CTV fits into the future of pharmaceutical marketing.

In episode 121 of the Pharm Exec Podcast, Nathalie Dompé, co-CEO of Dompé Pharmaceuticals, shares a glimpse into her journey in the pharma industry, her leadership style, the differences in working in leadership in the United States vs. Europe (Italy, specifically), and technologies in the biopharma industry. Meg Rivers, editor-in-chief, and Miranda Schmalfuhs, group social media editor, also talk to Dompé about: 1) launching a rare disease drug in the United States, the commercial/sales/marketing challenges, and what the company learned in the process; 2) how launching a rare disease drug differs from other drugs as it relates to the commercialization phase; 3) how can the industry can best meet the needs of patients and health systems; 4) balancing family/home life and work.

In episode 120, Nico Saraceno, editor of Pharmaceutical Commerce and host of the Pharmaceutical Commerce Podcast, and Andy Studna, associate editor and cohost of the Applied Clinical Trials Podcast, discuss what their respective podcasts offer to listeners, best guests, and more. Listen to the Applied Clinical Trials Podcast: https://www.appliedclinicaltrialsonline.com/editorial-podcasts Listen to the Pharmaceutical Commerce Podcast: https://www.pharmaceuticalcommerce.com/editorial-podcasts

Sarah McKinnon, Senior Art Director at The Grey Group, discusses her entrance into the advertising world through blending art and science in school, understanding the connection between human health and storytelling, her own experiences as a patient along with a healthy dose of grit and passion to inform her audiences and her career.

In episode 119, Doina Ionescu, Managing Director, UK & ROI, at Merck, discusses her career journey, gender discrimination in the workplace, her role in the ABPI, and lessons she's taken from Queen Elizabeth II.

In episode 118, Paula Brown Stafford, CEO of Novan, discusses the company's upcoming NDA filing for its topical agent for molluscum contagiosum, what commercialization could look like and her goals for the future.

In episode 117, Helen Sabzevari, CEO of Precigen, discusses her drive to study science as a Persian-born woman, the opportunities she's had to research immunology, and how she's now developing next-generation CAR-T treatments for cancer, in addition to other therapies.

In episode 116, Dr. Greg Rippon, vice president and chief medical partner at Genentech, discusses his work in Alzheimer's and his outlook for the future of the therapeutic space.

In episode 115, Raj Verma, chief diversity, culture, and experience officer at Sanofi, discusses the various ways people see diversity around the world and how companies should be building diversity, equity, and inclusion into a company's everyday fabric.

Proximyl Health's Halen Dang, VP, Creative Director of Art and Carrie Morris, VP, Creative Director of Copy discuss remote teamwork and how to successfully lead agency creative teams with hybrid schedules.

In episode 114, Tiago Reis Marques, MD, PhD, CEO of Pasithea Therapeutics, discusses why it's important to manage high levels of workplace stress, and how companies can help employees in need. Listen to the latest episode of The Pharmaceutical Commerce Podcast: https://www.pharmaceuticalcommerce.com/view/making-the-commercialization-process-worthwhile

In episode 113, Indranil Bagchi, senior vice president and worldwide head, value and access at Novartis, and member of Pharmaceutical Executive Editorial Advisory Board, discusses the challenges of reaching patients and what he believes can help improve the situation. Listen to the latest Pharmaceutical Commerce podcast: bit.ly/3uyWD8d

Carolyn O'Neill, Chief Creative Officer of Centron discusses their APEX-award winning global disease awareness campaign for both HCPs and patients, “Dimensionalizing the Patient Experience in PNH.” PNH or paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria is a rare immune disorder that attacks a person's red blood cells. The campaign was meant to build on it is not an inherited disease and people's symptoms don't exhibit externally, usually appearing in mid-life and portray the feelings of a PNH sufferer.

Nima Farzan, CEO of Kinnate, who was one of Pharmaceutical Executive's Emerging Pharma Leaders in 2013, discusses how he's successfully navigated his career path, from building a foundation in pharma to growing his expertise in biotech. Listen to the latest Pharmaceutical Commerce podcast: https://bit.ly/3uyWD8d

Nexus Pharmaceuticals' Chief Strategy Officer Omair Ahmed discusses their APEX-award winning EMERPHED™ campaign, which built on the ideas of simplification, safety and stability to enhance their hospital-delivered product and support their field sales reps.

Kevin Ali, CEO of Organon, talks about how's he's lead the launch of a new niche company for women's health, and what he hopes it can achieve.

Ken Winell, chief technology officer of Greater Than One, talks about the metaverse and the potential it has to serve the pharma industry.

CDM Princeton's Senior Creative Vice President John England discuss the company's APEX-award winning Ilumya campaign “Defy the Laws of Psoriasis,” which used multiple innovative ideas including an AR focused in-person interactive piece, a upward scrolling website and more.

Myrto Kontaxi, a partner in the Biopharma Sustainability Roundtable, and lead author on its updated Biopharma Investor ESG Communications Guidance; and Victoria Emerick, global head of sustainability strategy and operations at Bristol Myers Squibb, a Biopharma Sustainability Roundtable participant, and a key contributor to the Guidance development process, discuss the growing demand for better communication about ESG strategy and performance, and how the updated ESG Guidance can help both biopharma companies and investors respond.

Glue Advertising's Cindy Machles, CEO and Co-founder & Nate Whipple, Producer, discuss their APEX-award winning respiratory campaign "For My Lung Health" delivered through videos, SEM, and a website--in English and Spanish--as an educational initiative by ATS and CHEST to inform people of color about lung health.

In episode 108, the rest of the PharmExec editorial staff join Elaine and Miranda to give more insight into the profiles they've written about the eleven members of our 2022 Emerging Pharma Leaders. Read their profiles in our May issue here: https://www.pharmexec.com/view/epl-2022 Congratulations to our 2022 EPLs: Naveen Bazaj, Gardner Gendron, Aida Habtezion, Matthew J. Hawryluk, Charmaine Lykins, Divya Chadha Manek, Susan Pandya, Matthew R. Price, Quiona Russell, Patricia Torr, and Shetal Vyas!

Biolumina's Troy Clark, SVP, Creative Director, and Anne Brown, SVP, Creative Director, Copy discuss their APEX-award winning website "Be in the Know" for AstraZeneca's metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) disease state education efforts.

In episode 107, Camille Hertzka, VP, head of oncology US medical at AstraZeneca, talks about her experience as a leader in oncology over the years and to expect from the space moving into the future.

In episode 106, Christi Shaw, CEO of Kite, a Gilead Company, talks about how CAR T-cell therapies are impacting cancer care and the lessons she's learned along her career path.

In episode 105, Rolf Hoenger,  area head of Latin America at Roche  Pharma, talks about the current pharma landscape in Latin America and his experiences as a leader in this area.

In episode 104, Susanne Schaffert, president of Novartis Oncology, discusses her career journey, which has combined both a passion for the arts and science, and how she believes the two can work together in pharma.