UCB: Committed to Driving Immuno-dermatology Forward

1. Tell us a bit about what drives you and your career journey.

I am passionate about helping patients with chronic conditions, like plaque psoriasis, live their best lives. That’s why I joined UCB earlier this year as Head of Dermatology for the US. I’m really moved and impressed that, at UCB, everyone lives by the words on the walls of our Atlanta headquarters: “Patients are our reason for being.” You can see this in how UCB is uniquely organized by patient value units, which means our efforts in various treatment categories, like immunology, are focused on what matters most to patients. This is what motivates and inspires me to give my best every day. I’m excited to bring to UCB my 20-plus years of pharmaceutical sales and marketing experience, with past positions at AstraZeneca, Novartis, and Johnson & Johnson.

2. As part of the UCB leadership team, can you elaborate on what you are focused on now and in the future?

We will continue to focus on creating value for people living with chronic diseases. We show this commitment through our approach to innovation, which puts patients at the center of everything we do. For example, patient insights inspire us to push the boundaries of our science to deliver innovative solutions. To support a model of open innovation, we collaborate with leading researchers at TransCelerate BioPharma Inc. to find the best ways to adapt research models to include patient-driven solutions. UCB’s ongoing commitment is to collaborate with patients and incorporate their needs into our innovative process.

3. Could you tell us how UCB shows support for patients and clinicians?

One way we show our support is by actively creating opportunities to authentically connect with the desires of patients and practitioners alike. In partnership with the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF), we created a wish wall where we invited clinicians to share their wishes and those of their patients. Recently, we met virtually with a group of psoriasis patient advocates to truly understand the aspirations of the community and ways we can address them. We also provide support through ucbCARES. Our dedicated specialists help answer questions, everything from resources to help cover the costs of medicines to enrolling patients in clinical trials.

4. How is UCB demonstrating its commitment to the dermatology community?

At UCB, we are committed to advancing the discussion, understanding, and treatment of immuno-dermatologic conditions around the world. We support the causes that are important to the dermatology community. We partner with patient advocacy organizations, like NPF, to help advance their mission to drive efforts to cure psoriatic disease. As long-time champions of the dermatology community, we believe that the only way to connect authentically is to develop one-on-one relationships. So we’re meeting people virtually at congresses, getting to know the needs of the community, like more convenient, effective treatment options and better access to coverage. As we gather more and more feedback, we will truly understand what the unmet needs are and how to deliver on them.

5. How is UCB advancing the science of immuno-dermatological conditions?

At UCB, we celebrate those who share our tenacity and determination to break new ground in overcoming challenges facing patients. Following the successful delivery of our first dermatology product in the US and EU, we are pursuing even more pioneering research. We’re connecting science in new ways to better understand the biological pathways involved in severe diseases. Our commitment is to communicate that science simply, to clearly articulate the relevance of our research to the dermatology community. Just last month, we virtually presented late-breaking research from two pivotal clinical trials for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis at a major industry event.

6. What does the future of immuno-dermatology look like?

The future of immuno-dermatology looks bright with many new treatment options on the horizon. UCB continues our commitment to advance patient care in the areas of psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and hidradenitis suppurativa. We’re proud to contribute in these areas and to double down on our commitment to the immuno-dermatology space. Throughout our more than 90-year history, we have developed neurological and immunological solutions at UCB that are “inspired by patients, driven by science.” With this same commitment to our patients, our scientific expertise, and clinical momentum, we will drive immuno-dermatology forward. And by working together today, we will improve the lives of more patients tomorrow.