Meet our 2021 Employee Champions. We recognize individuals who strive to advance science and support innovation so that patients around the world can get the medicines and treatments they need. This year’s recipients have demonstrated commitment and resiliency that goes above and beyond expectations.
Vice President, Clinical Development | Gilead Sciences
Dr. Osinusi advocates for policies that encourage therapies to combat emerging viruses. This includes educating policymakers and administration officials on how intellectual property protections enabled the R&D that was so crucial to Gilead’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It also includes her work to explain how policies that undermine IP protections, like the TRIPS waiver,
Vice President, Regulatory Affairs-U.S. and Global Head of Labeling & Regulatory Intelligence | Astellas
In the past year, Don has helped lead the company’s efforts to enhance diversity in clinical trials participation, including shepherding development of an implementation plan specific to PhRMA’s revised clinical trials principles. Don has also represented Astellas in discussions on the reauthorization of the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA), working to encourage an efficient
Director of Access Solutions | Boehringer Ingelheim
Deb consistently goes beyond her traditional day-to-day responsibilities to advance policy priorities at both the state and federal level. Her ability to simply translate complicated schematics has been invaluable in educating and engaging diverse stakeholders on some of the industry’s most pressing policy fronts — including co-pay accumulator bans, rebate pass-through and improved transparency around
Sr. Director | Eli Lilly and Company
David and his colleague, Caroline Rosewell, were the team leaders in the company’s efforts to set up monoclonal antibody infusion clinics across the state of Indiana. These clinics not only helped get the treatment out to at-risk patients across the state, but they also served as an important tutorial and “how to” for hospitals and
Sr. Director | Eli Lilly and Company
Caroline and her colleague, David Riggs, were the team leaders in the company’s efforts to set up monoclonal antibody infusion clinics across the state of Indiana. These clinics not only helped get the treatment out to at-risk patients across the state, but they also served as an important tutorial and “how to” for hospitals and
Sanofi
The Sanofi Protein Sciences team is being recognized for their extensive engagement with federal and state legislators. When Connecticut Gov. Lamont was newly elected, the team hosted him and Lt. Gov. Bysiewicz at their Connecticut site to learn about the research and development on the COVID-19 vaccine and their flu vaccine innovative technology. Since that
Scientific Patient Engagement Leader | J&J
Lisa’s colleagues describe her as a “tireless champion of the patient voice.” She offers an invaluable perspective on the human impact of proposed legislation. Her work ensures that J&J can better understand and champion policies that expand patient access.
Senior Research Scientist, Analytical R&D | Merck
Denarra plays an important role in supporting Merck’s work on advocacy issues by sharing her personal story and experiences with elected officials and the public. Denarra has focused her advocacy on communities of color and the development of women and girls in STEM. Her work has helped enhance Merck’s story and assisted the Merck government
Executive Director Lilly Diabetes and Lilly USA Communications | Eli Lilly and Company
Tracy is a member of Lilly’s Obesity Corporate Affairs team. They have made a significant impact in increasing access to comprehensive obesity care. The team has helped destigmatize obesity by engaging the policy community on the importance of person-first language and bias-free imagery. Tracy and the team bring forward the importance of how language matters
VP, BTxPS Transformational Technology St. Louis, MO Site Lead, Pfizer Research & Development | Pfizer
Justin is the site lead of Pfizer’s St. Louis, MO office. For the last 15 years, Justin and his team have furthered the understanding of novel biotherapeutics, gene therapies, and vaccines within Pfizer’s R&D organization. There, he has hosted external partners to explain the vital role R&D plays in the biopharmaceutical industry.