The Future of Biopharma Alliances - Keys to Strategic Partnership Success

Sharon Morgenbesser

Alliance Management is crucial to biopharma success, but its value is often underestimated. In our latest interview, we spoke with Sharon Morgenbesser, a leader who has built Alliance Management functions from scratch and managed complex, high-stakes partnerships at Sanofi, AffaMed Therapeutics, and Fulcrum Therapeutics.

Sharon reveals strategies for:
- Guiding and Influencing: Building trust and internal support without direct decision-making.
- Building the Alliance Function: How to establish a robust framework from scratch.
- Cross-Border Partnerships: Lessons from U.S.-China collaborations on navigating regulatory, operational, and cultural complexities.
- Rebuilding Trust Post-Acquisition: Aligning governance and maintaining momentum after M&A.
- Shaping the Future of Alliance Management: The role of AI and managing financial pressures.

Leading with Purpose: Insights on Building High-Performing Commercial Teams in Biopharma

Lynn Fenicchia

Lynn Fenicchia is a seasoned executive with over 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, having held senior leadership roles such as Senior Vice President, Head of Medical Specialties Business Unit at Astellas. There, she managed a $1.9 billion P&L and led teams of up to 550 employees across sales, marketing, corporate strategy, and commercial operations.

Recognized for her authentic leadership and ability to elevate team performance and culture, Lynn shares her invaluable insights on building high-performing commercial teams in the fast-paced world of biopharma.

In a rapidly changing work environment, knowing when to transition to a new role is crucial for your professional growth. Whether it’s after a major achievement, during organizational changes, or when growth opportunities diminish, timing your move can make all the difference.

Pia D'Urbano. Driving Market Success: Insights from Biopharma’s Commercial Leaders

Pia D’Urbano is a seasoned executive who has spent over 25 years in life sciences leading and growing global businesses. Pia excels at identifying strategic opportunities and solving challenges for large and small organizations, across dozens of diseases including oncology.  She has held P&L responsibilities and over the last 15 years has occupied executive committee seats at Grifols, Novo Nordisk and Sanofi and currently sits as an advisor to private equity firms.

Prior to joining Novo Nordisk in 2018, where she was responsible for accelerating the rare disease business and subsequently leading the commercialization and launches of several brands in diabetes and obesity, Pia spent 14 years at Sanofi leading multiple commercial functions and notably building a new  immunology franchise for Sanofi-Genzyme leading to the launch of Dupixent.

Recently Pia was Worldwide President at Grifols leading the manufacturing and commercialization efforts for life saving plasma derived medicines serving patients in over forty-six countries.

In this exclusive interview. Pia D’Urbano shares her remarkable journey in the biopharma industry, offering valuable lessons on leadership, market expansion, and innovation. Join us as she delves into her strategies for success and the key factors that have driven her to the top of her field. Don't miss out on her expert insights!

Driving Market Success: Insights from Biopharma’s Commercial Leaders

Johannes Leuchs - Head of New Patient Populations (VP) for the US Rare Disease Organization at UCB

Johannes Leuchs is a seasoned healthcare executive with a diverse career spanning several leadership roles across pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and consultancy. Currently, Johannes serves as the Head of New Patient Populations (VP) for the US Rare Disease Organization at UCB.

At UCB, Johannes has led a global business unit through a successful turnaround, developed strategies for new rare disease franchises, and managed the simultaneous launch of two assets for a rare neuromuscular condition. His roles have included Head of Established Brands and Head of Portfolio Strategy.

At BSN Medical (now Essity), Johannes held senior roles such as Head of Global Business Development and Global Head of the Vascular franchise. He drove substantial business growth through product innovation and market expansion strategies.

After graduating from business school and working at Allianz, Johannes honed his skills in strategic consulting at Roland Berger, leading performance improvement cases, due diligences, and market studies.

In this exclusive interview, Johannes shares his journey, insights on market expansion, team leadership, and the integration of digital technologies in biopharma. Discover his strategies for driving growth in niche therapeutic areas, managing stakeholder relationships, and his vision for the future of healthcare.

Navigating the early stages of biotech development is fraught with challenges and opportunities. For preclinical or clinical-stage biotech companies, having the right Chief Business Officer can be the difference between success and stagnation. This article explores the critical timing and reasons for hiring a skilled CBO, whether on a permanent or fractional basis, and how they can propel your biotech company forward.

Are you relying on gut feeling in your hiring decisions? It might be leading to confirmation bias and costly mistakes...

Our article delves into the high costs associated with poor executive hires and the common biases that cloud judgment. Learn how a structured, data-driven approach can mitigate these biases, improve hiring outcomes, and align new hires with your organizational goals.

"Building Bridges: Insights into Business Development and Partnerships in Biopharma."

Anjali Kumar - VP & Head of Business Development - Cellarity

In this article, we feature Anjali Kumar, a distinguished leader with over 25 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry. Currently, she serves as VP and Head of Business Development at Cellarity, a Flagship Pioneering company.

Anjali's impressive career includes roles at major companies such as Johnson & Johnson, Shire, Wyeth, and Pharmacia & Upjohn, as well as emerging firms like Flexion Therapeutics and Critical Therapeutics.

She has significantly contributed to drug discovery and development, leading over 50 deep integrated opportunity assessments and numerous transactions including M&A and license agreements.

At Cellarity, she drives business development for a unique AI/ML-enabled platform.

Additionally, Anjali is a member of the External Advisory Board at Georgia Tech and holds a PhD in Bioengineering from the same institution.

Join us as Anjali shares her journey, the challenges and opportunities in the industry, and her vision for the future. We explore her insights on building successful partnerships and driving innovation in biopharma.

"Building Bridges: Insights into Business Development and Partnerships in Biopharma."

Ravneesh Sachdev - Partner and Head of Business Development at Apple Tree Partners

We delve into the career and insights of Ravneesh Sachdev, a leading figure in biopharma business development. Currently a Partner and Head of Business Development at Apple Tree Partners, a venture capital firm focused on life sciences investment, Ravneesh shares his extensive experience in shaping strategic partnerships and driving innovation in the industry. From his pivotal roles at Acceleron Pharma and Sage Therapeutics to his contributions at Pfizer and other major companies, Ravneesh offers a wealth of knowledge on navigating challenges and seizing opportunities in biopharma.

Join us to explore his journey, key accomplishments, and vision for the future of biopharma partnerships.