Could you describe your recent experience in your new role as a COO of EMD Serono role?
My journey in the pharmaceutical industry has taken me across many countries, fueling my passion for healthcare and medicine development. As a pharmacist by trade, I have dedicated my life to this sector, driven by the profound impact we can have on global healthcare. The opportunity to lead EMD Serono in the United States, a key player in our global parent company’s pharmaceutical innovation, was a decisive career step for me. Transitioning here with my family last summer, especially to Boston—a major hub for the biotech industry—has been incredibly exciting and rewarding.
The U.S. market's distinct healthcare ecosystem offers unique challenges and learning opportunities, enhancing my global perspective. Embracing these new experiences, I'm committed to leveraging this role to further our mission of improving healthcare. The environment here is pivotal for anyone serious about advancing in the pharmaceutical field, and I am thoroughly enjoying the dynamic and transformative nature of my work in such an innovative setting.
EMD Serono will soon relocate its headquarters within Massachusetts. Could you explain the rationale behind this move?
Our decision to move our headquarters to the Seaport district of Boston was strategic, driven by the need to be at the epicenter of biotech and pharmaceutical innovation. The Seaport, along with nearby Cambridge, is bustling with key players in the industry—ranging from startups to major healthcare firms, prestigious academic institutions like Harvard and MIT, and numerous venture capital firms. Being in this vibrant area not only positions us among the foremost in the field but also significantly enhances our ability to maintain a competitive edge in drug development and innovation.
Can you provide an overview of the main therapeutic areas that EMD Serono focuses on?
EMD Serono is intensely focused on several key therapeutic areas: neurology & immunology, fertility, oncology, and endocrinology. In neurology & immunology, particularly with diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS), we offer leading therapies that have been impactful for over two decades.
For instance, our drug MAVENCLAD has been very successful in treating MS by uniquely modifying the disease progression, marked by significant growth in sales and patient outcomes since its launch. In fertility, our legacy and pioneering efforts have contributed to the birth of over five million babies worldwide through in vitro fertilization technologies.
In endocrinology, we focus on niche areas like HIV-associated wasting, where our drug Serostim is the only approved treatment for this condition, helping patients with decreased muscle mass. Our oncological efforts are tailored towards precision medicine, providing targeted treatments for specific cancers driven by genetic markers, such as BAVENCIO for skin, urothelial, and renal cancers and TEPMETKO for certain types of lung cancer driven by specific mutations. This precision approach allows us to develop therapies that are finely tuned to the needs of individual patients, reflecting the cutting-edge of oncology treatments.
What about the drugs currently in your pipeline?
We are actively expanding our portfolio with several promising projects, particularly focusing on antibody drug conjugates (ADCs), which represent a potential paradigm shift in cancer treatment. Our efforts include advancing a molecule aimed at transforming treatment for head and neck cancer—a field that has not seen significant advances in two decades. This first-in-class, oral small molecule could potentially set a new standard in curative cancer care. Alongside internal developments, we are also amplifying our pipeline through strategic partnerships and licensing, which include (but are not limited to) one with Inspirna for a phase two colorectal cancer treatment, as well as another one with Hengrui for a PARP1 inhibitor expected to combat multiple types of cancers. Our collaborations enhance our external innovation strategy, balancing it with robust internal R&D to stay at the forefront of pharmaceutical advancements.
You mentioned a strong focus on enhancing your oncology portfolio. What is driving this focused investment in oncology specifically?
Our focus on oncology is strategic, leveraging our deep expertise and parent company’s global historical leadership in cancer treatment. The increasing global incidence of cancer underscores the urgent need for continued innovation in this area. We harness our specialized knowledge in ADCs and other advanced treatments to develop groundbreaking therapies. However, we are not solely concentrated on oncology; we are maintaining a focus in neurology and immunology as well. For instance, we expect significant developments from enpatoran, targeting both systemic and cutaneous lupus, which could advance treatment for those impacted. This broad focus ensures we maintain a balanced portfolio capable of addressing diverse medical needs.
