Chrissy, congrats on your new role. Could you tell us a bit about your background and what led you to assume your current position?
I have had the pleasure of serving in various roles within state government and advocacy. Most recently, I served as the Chief Government Affairs Officer at the New Jersey Business and Industry Association and as the Vice President of Government Affairs at Optimum, leading their East Coast government affairs team. Additionally, I had the privilege of working with and leading the Home Care and Hospice Association, representing home care and hospice agencies across New Jersey.
These experiences brought together my background in representing the business community and healthcare entities, making the transition to HINJ a perfect fit. Now, I have the opportunity to represent the pharmaceutical and medical technology industries, which is exciting given the immense impact these sectors have on saving patients’ lives around the world while driving New Jersey’s economy.
Where do you see the positioning of HINJ within the global medical and pharmaceutical landscape?
HINJ has a huge impact on saving and improving patients' lives, and I believe we will continue to elevate the life sciences sector in New Jersey. Our mission is to protect patient access, preserve our innovation ecosystem, and highlight the contributions our sector brings to the economy, comprising nearly one-fifth of the state’s GDP.
From life-saving medications to groundbreaking innovations such as curing hepatitis C, developing vaccines against cervical cancer, and creating COVID-19 diagnostics as well as many other advances, our member companies have an impressive legacy. Moving forward, HINJ will focus on promoting these and future accomplishments and the vital role our industries play in global health.
What makes New Jersey stand out compared to other major pharmaceutical hubs like California and Massachusetts?
Several factors set New Jersey apart, beginning with our location in the tri-state area, which houses a significant concentration of life sciences companies. Beyond location, our state boasts a highly educated workforce, a number-one-rated K–12 education system, world-class teaching hospitals, and top-tier research universities.
This combination of education, talent, and infrastructure makes New Jersey a key destination for life sciences innovation and business. These assets collectively drive our ability to maintain leadership within the pharmaceutical and medical technology industries.
How has innovation in New Jersey's life sciences sector evolved over the past year?
Our companies are increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence to accelerate drug development. AI enables the analysis of vast datasets, which helps bring treatments to market faster and allows for the recruitment of more diverse populations into clinical trials.
This technology also enhances diagnostics and facilitates the evaluation of results at an unprecedented pace. While AI has been used in medical technology for over two decades, advancements in generative AI are pushing these boundaries further, offering tremendous opportunities for improved patient outcomes.
How long does it currently take to bring a drug to market, and how might AI change this timeline?
Typically, out of every 5,000 molecules, about five make it into clinical trials, and only 12% of those become marketable drugs. The entire process can take well over 10 years and is extraordinarily costly.
With AI, we can analyze data much faster, potentially cutting down this timeline significantly. By expediting these stages, we can deliver life-saving medications to patients sooner, benefiting those who need them most.
How do you assess the collaboration between HINJ and state authorities in New Jersey?
We have a very collaborative relationship with state authorities in New Jersey. Together, we work to identify synergies that keep the state at the forefront of innovation.
This involves developing policies that attract and retain pharmaceutical and medical technology companies, as well as nurturing startups that are essential to maintaining a robust research and development pipeline.
What changes do you hope to bring to HINJ during your tenure?
HINJ has built a strong reputation under the leadership of my predecessors, including Dean Paranicas and Bob Franks. My focus is to enhance our advocacy efforts and underscore the contributions our industry makes, such as life-saving medications and ongoing pipeline developments.
We aim to ensure that New Jersey remains a hub for pharmaceutical and medical innovation. By advocating for policies that foster an innovation-driven economy, HINJ will continue to champion this message in both Trenton and Washington, D.C.
