PracticalDermatology

1. What brought you to UCB? What is your role?

I’m the head of the Patient Value Unit for immunology in the US, which means I’m responsible for portfolio strategy, profit and loss, and employee development within immunology at UCB. I joined UCB last year with over 30 years of global pharmaceutical marketing experience, having worked at Novo Nordisk and Biogen across diabetes and Alzheimer’s therapeutic areas, among others. I was drawn to UCB’s unique approach to biopharma because of its dedication to understanding patient value and the potential to transform so many people’s lives.

2. As a leader at UCB, why do you think UCB is unique?

Before joining UCB, I hadn’t heard of a company that organizes itself around patient value units. Unlike traditional pharma, our operating model is based on understanding the patient environment and delivering compelling patient value propositions in partnership with stakeholders.

Everyone here is motivated by our corporate tagline, “Inspired by Patients. Driven by Science.” Everything we do starts with the patient in mind.

In my role, I am deeply committed to helping create the right strategies within our product portfolio, so that we can best serve patients by bringing them innovative drugs and practical solutions. For example, in terms of our employee development, I’m dedicated to ensuring we continue to attract the brightest minds to UCB and helping them to feel supported, engaged, and inspired every day.

3. What has UCB’s response been to COVID-19?

As we know, the evolving COVID-19 pandemic has placed tremendous strain on medical healthcare systems as they focus on this extraordinary medical emergency. Because of this strain, UCB is committed to helping those impacted by COVID-19 and has taken measures to protect the patients we serve and others around the world.

Examples of our actions in the US include actively working with the Seattle Structural Genomics Center for Infectious Disease to identify crystal structures of SARS-CoV-2 proteins, providing funding support to organizations in need, and donating personal protective equipment and testing materials to treat patients with COVID-19. We are also updating our existing Patient Assistance Program to help eligible patients who have been impacted by COVID-19 due to job loss, furlough, or loss of insurance get uninterrupted access to their medicines.

We also go beyond patient assistance programs with initiatives that support patients’ well-being, tips for navigating telemedicine engagements, and nursing support for patients in need.

4. How does UCB stay focused on what will ultimately benefit patients?

Everything we do revolves around one simple question: “How will this make a difference to the lives of people living with the chronic diseases we treat?” This question inspires and challenges us to stay focused on what will ultimately benefit the patients we serve. It also drives our relentless ambition to address patients’ and caregivers’ unmet needs, so we can help them to achieve their goals and live the lives they want to lead.

For example, with our ucbCARES program, we created a dedicated service that provides support to patients and healthcare professionals throughout the treatment journey. When callers contact ucbCARES, they interact with compassionate, informed specialists who are ready to listen and trained to provide the answers they need.

To support a model of open innovation, UCB also engages in partnerships to foster value for patients. For example, UCB partners with TransCelerate Biopharma Inc. to foster and accelerate clinical trials and determine best approaches for adapting research models to include patient-
driven solutions and data.

5. How does UCB view developing relationships with clinicians?

By partnering with clinicians, we can bring science to life for our patients. Clinicians have deeply valuable insights into the patient experience that we just can’t get without collaborating closely with them. We firmly believe that building strong relationships with clinicians is the path toward optimizing treatment outcomes, improving the patient experience, and ultimately, delivering innovative solutions that will make a real difference.

6. What are some key accomplishments for UCB as a global biopharmaceutical company?

UCB is coming up on a century of scientific innovation. We have a solid history of transforming science into treatments that improve patients’ lives by differentiating our medicines, providing the best individual experience, and improving access to solutions. I’m proud of our history. I’m also proud of the research we’re carrying out right now with people living with dermatological conditions. One example is the ongoing commitment and focus to advance future therapies in the areas of psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and hidradenitis suppurativa. We recognize that there is still incredible potential to impact and improve the lives of millions of patients living with immuno-dermatologic conditions around the world.

This article is sponsored by UCB. Connect with us! Learn more at www.UCB-USA.com, or start the conversation at GetToKnowUs@UCB.com.

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