The Healthcare Technology Report is pleased to announce The Top 25 Healthcare Technology Leaders of New Jersey for 2023. Home to more than 22,645 healthcare establishments, New Jersey is a hotbed for cutting-edge research and treatment in the medical and life sciences fields. In fact, the healthcare industry plays a vital role in the prosperity of the Garden State's economic well-being, contributing $37 billion to the state's economy each year. This is bolstered by New Jersey's 42 teaching hospitals and 5 medical schools that are preparing the medical practitioners and researchers of the future. In recognition of the state's many achievements, this year's list honors some of the most influential thought leaders within New Jersey's booming healthcare technology industry.
An excellent example of an outstanding healthcare technology leader is Pavan Handa, the SVP of Strategic Portfolio Management for Amneal Pharmaceuticals. With more than 25 years of experience in the global biopharmaceutical industry, Handa has generated multi-billion dollars' worth of value through strategic alliances, licensing, M&A, and commercialization of new ventures. Meanwhile, Sheri Lydick is leading BioAtla as its Chief Commercial Officer, having previously worked at numerous top healthcare companies–and notably spearheaded the U.S. launch of the multi-billion dollar drug, Otezla. Lastly, Douglas Beck, is among the most prolific authors in audiology with more than 208 publications. Today, he serves as the Vice President of Clinical Sciences at Cognivue, which provides the world's first FDA-cleared computerized test of cognitive function.
Please join us in celebrating The Top 25 Healthcare Technology Leaders of New Jersey for 2023.
1. Steve Cutler
Company: ICON plc
Title: CEO
Steve Cutler was appointed Chief Executive Officer of ICON in March 2017, having previously served as Chief Operating Officer for three years. Cutler joined ICON as Group President, Clinical Research Services in 2011–and has been a member of the board since November 2015. As CEO, Cutler has overseen a period of significant progress for ICON, driven by both strong organic growth and a number of strategic acquisitions, including PRA Health Sciences in 2021. Notably, ICON is the world’s leading clinical research organization. From molecule to medicine, the company advances clinical research by providing outsourced services to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, and government and public health organizations. With headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, ICON employs approximately 41,150 employees in 53 countries.
Throughout his career in the clinical research and pharmaceutical industries, Cutler has held numerous senior leadership positions. These include Chief Executive Officer of Kendle, Senior Vice President, Global Project Management at Quintiles (now IQVIA) and Senior Vice President, Clinical, Medical and Regulatory, also at Quintiles. Prior to joining Quintiles, Cutler worked with Sandoz (now Novartis) in Australia and Europe. He holds a B.Sc. and a Ph.D. from the University of Sydney. He also holds an MBA from the University of Birmingham (UK).
Steve Cutler’s Insight:
“At ICON, we work to improve the lives of patients by accelerating the development of our customers’ drugs and devices. We do this by delivering industry-leading solutions and best-in-class performance in clinical development. This is achieved through our dedicated and resourceful people in addition to our work practices and the use of innovative technologies, which drive positive outcomes for our customers.”
2. Kathryn Wengel
Company: Johnson & Johnson
Title: EVP, Chief Technical Operation & Risk Officer
Kathryn Wengel is Executive Vice President, Chief Technical Operations & Risk Officer for Johnson & Johnson. She is also a member of the company’s Executive Committee. She has significant healthcare, operations, and global business expertise – with more than three decades of experience in leadership positions at Johnson & Johnson. In her current role, Wengel is responsible for the continued strengthening of the Company’s core technical operations and risk management capabilities.
Most recently, Wengel served for nine years as Executive Vice President and Chief Global Supply Chain Officer. Prior to that, she served as the company’s first Chief Quality Officer. Under her leadership, Johnson & Johnson has become the only healthcare company ever ranked among the top five on the Supply Chain Top 25 list by Gartner, Inc. – a ranking that recognizes the critical role its Supply Chain has played as an integrator across an ecosystem of internal and external partners.
Externally from Johnson & Johnson, Wengel serves as a member of the Board of Directors at the Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings (Labcorp), a leading global life sciences company. She is the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors at the National Association of Manufacturers in the U.S. She also serves as Chair of the Board of GS1 Global, a nonprofit that develops and maintains global supply chain standards. Within Johnson & Johnson, Wengel is executive sponsor for the Women’s Leadership & Inclusion initiative and the Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, Manufacturing and Design program. Wengel holds a BSE degree in civil engineering and operations research from Princeton University.
3. E. Garrett Ingram
Company: Cipla Therapeutics
Title: Chief Executive Officer
E. Garrett Ingram is the Chief Executive Officer of Cipla Therapeutics. She first joined the company in 2019. Cipla Therapeutics is the specialty business of Cipla, a leading global pharmaceutical company trusted by healthcare professionals and patients across the world since 1935. A compassionate approach to healthcare that goes beyond the pursuit of profit and growth has been the force impelling Cipla’s history over the years. Their credo and their purpose of ‘Caring for Life' continues to guide their actions towards their people and the planet for creating a sustainable future. Cipla today has a presence in 80+ countries–providing over 1,500 products across various therapeutic categories in 50+ dosage forms.
Previously, Ingram was a CMO at MannKind Corporation. Before that, she served as an SVP of managed markets at Dexcom. Earlier in her career, she worked with Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals as an AVP of managed markets strategy & operations. Ingram earned a master's from the University of South Carolina and an undergraduate degree from East Carolina University.
4. Bijoy Sagar
Company: Bayer
Title: EVP and Chief Information Technology
Bijoy Sagar is Executive Vice President and Chief Information and Digital Transformation Officer of Bayer, a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of healthcare and nutrition. Its products and services are designed to help people and the planet thrive by supporting efforts to master the major challenges presented by a growing and aging global population.
Prior to joining Bayer, Sagar served variously as the Chief Digital Technology Officer and CIO of Stryker, a leading medical technology company, where he was also a member of the executive team. Sagar has over 20 years of experience in the healthcare and chemical sectors. He has previously worked for pharma and biotech companies in the USA and Europe, including Millennium Pharmaceuticals (now Takeda), Amgen, Eli Lilly & Company, and Merck KGaA. He also serves on various advisory councils and boards. Sagar holds master's degrees from the University of Mumbai and Northeastern University, Boston. He also holds US citizenship.
Bijoy SagarInsight
"Through innovative healthcare solutions powered by cutting-edge technology, Bayer is driving the future of healthcare forward, empowering patients and healthcare professionals alike with accessible, efficient, and effective tools to improve lives and transform outcomes – in the purpose of ‘Health for all, hunger for none.’”
5. Joseph Wolk
Company: Johnson & Johnson
Title: Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
Joseph Wolk is the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Johnson & Johnson. Wolk also serves as a member of the company’s Executive Committee, playing a strategic role in the overall management of the organization and leading the development and execution of the business’ global long-term financial strategy. He leads the worldwide Finance and Global Services organizations, which includes approximately 9,000 colleagues around the globe. He has been with Johnson & Johnson for 25 years, having assumed his CFO position in 2018.
Earlier, Wolk was the Vice President of Investor Relations for Johnson & Johnson. In this role, he developed a winning strategy for building strong relationships with the investment community and disseminating Johnson & Johnson’s value creation narrative to all external financial stakeholders. Notably, during Wolk’s tenure, the Investor Relations function was regularly recognized by Institutional Investor as one of the best teams in the industry. Before that, Wolk held a variety of senior leadership roles in several sectors and functions across the company.
Wolk is an accomplished, Credo-based leader; passionate about talent development, driving innovation, and community service. He is the executive sponsor of Johnson & Johnson’s Impact Venture Fund, the executive sponsor of the Veterans Leadership Council and a champion of the Finance Leadership Development Program, and a member of the Stanford Medicine Board of Fellows, the CNBC Global CFO Council and the Wall Street Journal CFO Network. Wolk holds a BS in Finance from St. Joseph’s University, where he was recently inducted into the University’s Haub School of Business Hall of Fame. He also holds a JD from Temple University School of Law and is a CPA.
6. Will Lewis
Company: Insmed
Title: Chair and Chief Executive Officer
Will Lewis joined Insmed in 2012 as President, Chief Executive Officer, and member of the board of directors. He became Chair of the Board of Directors in November 2018. Lewis is also the former Co-Founder, President, and Chief Financial Officer of Aegerion Pharmaceuticals. Before that, he spent more than 10 years working in investment banking in the U.S. and Europe. He also previously worked for the U.S. government.
Insmed is a global biopharmaceutical company on a mission to transform the lives of patients with serious and rare diseases. The company’s first commercial product is a first-in-disease therapy –approved in the United States, Europe, and Japan– that treats chronic, debilitating lung disease.
Away from Insmed, Lewis serves as Chair of the Board of Directors of Adrestia Therapeutics, a private UK-based company focused on synthetic rescue therapies for genetic diseases. Furthermore, he is a member of the Board of Trustees of Case Western Reserve University; and a member of the Board of Trustees of BioNJ, the life sciences association for New Jersey. Lewis holds a Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, from Oberlin College. He also holds an MBA and JD, with Honors, from Case Western Reserve University.
Will Lewis Insight
“Insmed is at a pivotal moment in our history as we prepare to read out key data from across our four pillars over the next 12 months and advance our early-stage research engine, which now includes cutting-edge AI-driven protein engineering, gene therapy, and protein manufacturing. I am proud to lead one of the most talented teams in our industry—now more than 800 employees strong—as we embark on this transformation and prepare to serve significantly more patients while delivering the next generation of potentially first-in-class, first-in-disease, and best-in-class medicines. As we grow and evolve, our singular focus remains on developing and delivering therapies for patients with rare and serious diseases who currently face significant unmet needs, regardless of modality or therapeutic area.”
7. Kendra Rose
Company: Bayer
Title: Senior Vice President
Kendra Rose, PhD, is Vice President and Head of New Platforms, Ophthalmology and Hemophilia in the Business Development & Licensing and Open Innovation (BD&L/OI) function for the Pharmaceuticals Division at Bayer. In this capacity, Rose and her team are responsible for identifying innovative collaboration opportunities to further strengthen Bayer’s strategies in new platforms–such as cell & gene therapy; as well as ophthalmology and hemophilia.
Rose joined Bayer in 2015 and worked in New Product Commercialization and Global Strategic Marketing with responsibilities for commercial input for the internal and external pipeline. Rose then joined BD&L/OI, leading the New Business Development team and developed valuation models, provided commercial input, and evaluated all pharmaceutical deals.
Before joining Bayer, Rose worked at Novartis in Global New Products. She subsequently led the global launch for a heart failure drug. Rose started her career at Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products in R&D and went on to work in various roles for US marketing in its medical device sector. Later worked in a cross-sector Innovation role. Rose holds a PhD in Chemistry from Stanford University and an MBA from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.
Bayer’s Insight
“Our Business Development & Licensing /Open Innovation function is focused on creative collaboration models that foster innovation. The aim is to bring brilliant minds together to solve some of the world’s toughest challenges for the benefit of the patients and our collaboration models allow us to enable that in a creative, flexible and agile way.”
8. Evelyn Douglas
Company: Convatec
Title: EVP, Chief Strategy and Business Development Officer
Evelyn Douglas joined Convatec and their Executive Leadership Team in November 2020 as Chief of Corporate Strategy and Business Development. Later, in April 2021, she assumed the roles of General Counsel and Company Secretary. Douglas has deep expertise in the MedTech sector, having spent twenty years at Becton, Dickinson and Company prior to joining Convatec.
ConvaTec is a leading developer and marketer of innovative medical technologies that have helped improve the lives of millions of people worldwide. With four key business units–Ostomy Care, Wound Therapeutics, Continence and Critical Care and Infusion Devices–ConvaTec products support healthcare professionals from the hospital to the community health setting.
At BD, she was Senior Vice President of Corporate Development and Strategy. During this time, she helped the company build its capabilities around corporate development and strategy, and assisted the global business units in strengthening their strategic focus and pursuing opportunities for partnerships, acquisitions and divestitures. Prior to her role in corporate development at BD, Douglas held positions of increasing responsibility in the BD Law Group. She began her career at White & Case in New York. She holds a JD from Harvard Law School and a bachelor’s, with Honors, in Political Science from Williams College, Massachusetts.
Insight:
“At Convatec, we’re pioneering trusted medical solutions to improve the lives we touch. Each and every day, our employees are bringing our forever caring promise to life for the benefit of customers, patients and healthcare professionals around the world. We’re exceptionally proud of our teams here in New Jersey, and I’m grateful for this recognition on their behalf.”
9. Curt Bashford
Company: General Devices
Title: CEO
Curt Bashford is the CEO of General Devices, a 40+ year medical technology company that specializes in mobile telemedicine and telehealth that enables simply smarter patient care by empowering hospitals, EMS, mobile integrated healthcare, community paramedicine and public safety responders with the most comprehensive, highly configurable, and affordable medical team communications solutions. Bashford has 37 years of experience. He began his career in 1986.
Bashford graduated from New Jersey Institute of Technology with a master's in bio-medical engineering. Earlier he received his undergraduate degree in electrical engineering.
Curt Bashford Insight:
"Out of hospital healthcare delivery is evolving and at General Devices (GD), we are proud that our responsive innovations help hospitals and emergency medical services deliver better, more timely patient care. Our mobile telehealth and communications solution impacts the lives of tens of thousands of patients every day across the country."
10. Gary Palmer
Company: Bristol Myers Squibb
Title: Senior Vice President, Global Immunology & Fibrosis
Gary Palmer is the Senior Vice President of Global Immunology & Fibrosis of Bristol Myers Squibb, a global biopharmaceutical company headquartered in New York City. With a rich history dating back over a century, BMS is renowned for its commitment to discovering, developing, and delivering innovative medicines that address serious diseases. The company focuses on areas such as oncology, immunology, cardiovascular disease, and neuroscience. BMS has a diverse portfolio of products, including blockbuster drugs like Opdivo, Eliquis, and Orencia, which have significantly impacted patient care worldwide. It also engages in strategic collaborations and acquisitions to enhance its research and development capabilities, expand its product offerings, and strengthen its global presence. Palmer has 31 years of experience. He began his career in 1992.
Before joining Bristol Myers Squibb, Palmer was an SVP of global & US medical affairs at Myovant Sciences. Before that, he served as the SVP of head of medical affairs at Actelion, a Janssen Pharmaceuticals Company of Johnson & Johnson. Earlier in his career, he worked with Merck as a country medical director. Palmer graduated from the University of the Witwatersrand - Johannesburg with an MBA in General Business Administration, with a MD, and with an undergraduate degree in medicine and surgery.
Gary Palmer’s Insight
“ I am proud to be working at a world leading biopharma company, with the inspiring vision to transform patients’ lives by addressing unmet medical needs in people living with immune-mediated diseases”
11. Brian Hilberdink
Company: LEO Pharma
Title: Executive Vice President
Brian Hilberdink is the Executive Vice President of LEO Pharma’s North America Region. In March 2022, he embraced a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join LEO Pharma during a significant transformation in the company’s 113+ year history. Notably, LEO Pharma is a global company dedicated to advancing the standard of care for the benefit of people with skin conditions, their families and society. With the approval and launch of LEO Pharma’s first biologic agent, the ambition is to turn the US business into the primary global growth engine ahead of a potential IPO.
Prior to LEO Pharma, Hilberdink spent over 25 years with Novo Nordisk, most recently serving as a Senior Vice President for the commercial organization in the US. During his long tenure with the company, he also served as President of Novo Nordisk Canada Inc.; and Corporate Vice President in Global Marketing of Novo Nordisk A/S in Denmark, where he led the launch of the company’s next generation insulin portfolio.
Brian Hilberdink’s Insight
“LEO Pharma has a long history of helping people achieve healthy skin, and I am honored to lead the company’s growth journey in the U.S.,”
“With our pioneering spirit and innovative mindset, we are laser focused on making a difference for patients and healthcare providers and becoming a global leader in medical dermatology.”
12. DB Kartik
Company: CorEvitas
Title: President & Chief Operating Officer
DB Kartik is the President and Chief Operating Officer at CorEvitas, LLC, a science-led data intelligence company that provides the life sciences industry with the objective data and clinical insights needed to demonstrate real-world safety, effectiveness, and patient outcomes in the post-approval setting.
Kartik is a purpose-driven executive with global experience in the healthcare industry. He has a successful record in diverse operating environments, including major divisions of publicly traded multi-national and middle market growth companies.
Notably, Kartik has more than 25 years of experience in global leadership roles in the healthcare and energy industries. Before joining CorEvitas, he was the Head of Financial Planning and Operations at Cubist Pharmaceuticals. He holds an MBA and CFA from ICFAI Business School, India.
DB Kartik Insight
"CorEvitas is the built-for-purpose provider of gold-standard real-world evidence. With 20 years of experience in specialized patient registries and curated data sources, we build on our strengths in comparative effectiveness research and drug safety studies to advance patient care by generating real-world insights into health conditions."
13. Helen Yeardley
Company: ICON
Title: Senior Vice President, Global Clinical Operations
Helen Yeardley is the Global Clinical Operations Head at ICON. In this role, she oversees a team of approximately 4,000 staff in areas including clinical and hub monitoring, clinical risk management, and trial master file services. With over 25 years of experience in monitoring and managing clinical trials–in both CROs and large pharma companies–Yeardley has held numerous senior positions in the areas of feasibility, site identification and start-up, clinical operations, clinical trial management and project management, both in early and late phase drug development. She started her career as a CRA. Her therapeutic background is in oncology as well as internal medicine.
Yeardley’s company, ICON, is a world-leading healthcare intelligence and clinical research organization. From molecule to medicine, the company advances clinical research by providing outsourced services to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, and government and public health organizations. It develops new innovations, drives emerging therapies forward, and improves patient lives. With headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, ICON employs approximately 41,150 employees in 53 countries.
Helen Yeardley’s Insight
“At ICON, we see a huge opportunity to apply new thinking and to capitalize on technology and digital advancements in a number of areas to accelerate high quality clinical trials, including patient enrolment, site performance management, risk management, remote monitoring and remote data collection. I think we can drive real and positive progress in these areas – it is an exciting and rewarding time to be working in clinical research.”
14. Lars Birgerson
Company: Adlai Nortye Biopharma
Title: President & Chief Executive Officer
Joining the company in 2018, Lars Birgerson is the President and Chief Medical Officer for Adlai Nortye, a global clinical stage biotechnology company focused on developing innovative cancer therapies to help patients live better lives. The company has 6 drug candidates under development–of which no less than 3 are in clinical stage. The clinically most advanced compound AN 2025 is in a global phase III trial for treatment of Metastatic Cancer of the Head and Neck in patients who have progressed after checkpoint Inhibitor treatment.
Previously, Birgerson was Senior Vice President of Medical Research and Development at Bristol-Myers Squibb. Before that, he built and led the Global Medical Affairs function of Roche and the Medical Affairs function of Genentech. Birgerson received his M.D., Ph.D. and completed residencies in Obstetrics & Gynecology, General Surgery, Gynecological Oncology and Urological Surgery at Uppsala University in Sweden.
15. Kimball Hall
Company: Innocoll Biotherapeutics
Title: Chief Executive Officer
Kimball Hall is the Chief Executive Officer of Innocoll Biotherapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company that specializes in developing and commercializing innovative therapies using its proprietary collagen-based technologies. The company's focus lies in addressing unmet medical needs in areas such as surgical and wound care–with a particular emphasis on the treatment of soft tissue injuries.
Before joining Innocoll Biotherapeutics, Hall was a president and chief operating officer at Abzena. Before that, she served as global head of biologics drug substance at Genentech. Earlier in her career, she worked at Amgen as a senior. director of quality. Hall graduated from the University of Washington with an undergraduate degree in microbiology.
Kimball Hall Insight
"Innocoll Biotherapeutics is dedicated to delivering non-opioid alternatives for postsurgical pain. With our two commercially available products, Xaracoll and Posimir, we are making a difference in patient’s lives. Additionally, Syntacoll, a subsidiary of Innocoll develops, produces, and innovates collagen-based absorbable implants like Xaracoll. I am thrilled to be leading both of our highly innovative teams."
16. Pavan Handa
Company: Amneal Pharmaceuticals
Title: Senior Vice President, Specialty Portfolio Management
Pavan Handa has over twentyfive years of business development, strategic planning, and venture management experience in the global biopharmaceutical industry with both drug delivery & specialty pharma companies. Throughout his career, he has generated multi-billion dollars' worth of value through strategic alliances, licensing, M&A, and commercialization of new ventures. Currently he is the SVP, Strategic Portfolio Management for Amneal Pharmaceuticals, a fully integrated company focused on the development, manufacturing, and distribution of generic and specialty drug products with $2 billion in annual sales.
Prior to Amneal, he was EVP and CBO for Kashiv Pharma. Notably, he led the due diligence in the acquisition of Kashiv by Amnea. Before that, he served as SVP of Business Development at Antares Pharma, & VP of Business Development & Alliance Management at Noven Pharmaceuticals, where he diversified the product, revenue, and strategic partnership base, significantly increasing the market valuation of both companies. His achievements at Antares include completing strategic deals with Actavis, Pfizer, Teva, LEO, and Daewoong. His achievements at Noven include completing partnering deals with Shire, Endo, Novartis, and P&G–raising over $250 million in upfront and licensing revenue, acquiring a CNS specialty pharma, and the eventual sale of Noven to Hisamitsu for $450 million.
Prior to joining Noven, Handa served as SVP of Business Development & Portfolio Management at Pharmacologics LLC, a drug development venture capital affiliate of MDS Inc. Additionally, he has held senior business development positions at Enzon Pharmaceuticals and Union Carbide Corporation, where his contributions included the creation of a $500 million VC fund, generating $200 million in licensing revenues, and implementing acquisitions worth over $100 million. Handa graduated from the University of Cincinnati with an MBA and from Delhi University with an undergraduate degree in economics and mathematics.
Insight:
“Amneal, a diversified biopharmaceutical company with annual revenue of about $2.3 billion, is growing its specialty portfolio & development pipeline utilizing advanced drug delivery technologies to provide innovative and accessible medicines in CNS, endocrine disorders, oncology, and rare diseases.”
17. Tom Blount
Company: Embecta
Title: Senior Vice President, President North America
Tom Blount serves as the SVP, President, North America of Embecta. Formerly part of BD, Embecta is a global medical technology company singularly focused on improving the lives of people living with diabetes. For nearly 100 years, they’ve been developing and providing solutions to the diabetes community. They are the leaders in insulin delivery, with more than 30 million people in over 100 countries relying on their pen needle and syringe products.
Previously, Blount spent six years with Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD) as VP/GM US region Diabetes Care, WW VP/GM Infusion, and Global Marketing leader for Diabetes Care and additional upstream marketing roles. Before BD, Blount spent 16 years at Sanofi in various roles, including Associate VP of Diabetes Value and Access, Associate VP of Toujeo Value & Access, Associate VP Lixisenatide Family Marketing, Sr. Director of Marketing Strategy for Sanofi Genzyme R&D, Sr. Director of Marketing Strategy for the Fibrosis Wound Repair Global Strategy Unit, Director of General Therapeutics Mature Brands, Director & Commercial Alliance Leader for XYZAL Marketing, and many other roles in Sales and Marketing.
With extensive experience in launching products, Blount has held numerous roles in sales, marketing, and market access across various disease areas, including diabetes. He also spent 5 years on active duty in the United States Army, finishing as a Captain. He holds a Bachelor of Science in German/French from the United States Military Academy at West Point. He also holds a Master of Science in International Relations from Troy University – European Campus.
Tom Blount Insight
“I’m grateful to The Healthcare Technology Report for recognizing me as a Top 25 Healthcare Technology Leader of New Jersey for 2023. I am honored to help lead the charge in developing growth platforms for a company like Embecta, prioritizing innovation in the marketplace. Our team is dedicated to empowering people living with diabetes through cutting-edge products, and I am proud to be a part of this shared mission.”
18. Michael Scalea
Company: Framework Solutions
Title: Executive Vice President
As an Executive Vice President of Technology at Framework Solutions, Michael Scalea has led the company in new areas of technology services, providing technology solutions and innovation in all areas of digital transformation. It is worthy to note that Framework Solutions is a leading business consulting firm that provides Clinical to Commercial Solutions to Life Sciences companies with the goal of accelerating customer success with strategic and tactical solutions in the areas of Medical Affairs, Regulatory Solutions, MLR Solutions, Commercialization, and Technology. The company provides a high quality of services to over 225 clients, ranging from emerging biotech to large pharma. Through its specialized knowledge and services, the organization plays a crucial role in advancing the development and delivery of innovative solutions that improve the overall well-being of individuals and animals in their care.
Scalea has more than 25 years of experience within the Life Sciences industry. Prior to joining Framework Solutions, he built and led a Global Veeva and Salesforce practice, as a Principal at Capgemini. He spearheaded implementations and managed services for the top 10 pharmaceutical companies. Earlier in his career, he worked as a consultant, and was a Director at Pfizer for 10 years. Scalea holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Seton Hall University, as well as an MBA from Walden University.
Framework Solutions Insight
“We enable Life Sciences companies to navigate the digital era and leverage innovative technologies to optimize process, enhance efficiencies, and deliver transformative solutions that amplify their impact and drive progress in human health and animal care.”
19. Sheri Lydick
Company: BioAtla
Title: Chief Commercial Officer
Sheri Lydick is the Chief Commercial Officer at BioAtla, a San Diego-based biotechnology company focused on development of antibody therapeutics using their proprietary Conditionally Active Biologic (CAB) technology. With over 20 years of leadership and commercialization experience in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry, Lydick leads the company’s portfolio and commercial planning, including assessment and execution of strategic business opportunities, development of commercialization plans and build out of commercial infrastructure in preparation for global launches of these novel CAB therapeutics in multiple solid tumor types. Additionally, Lydick leads investor engagement and marketing of the company to investors, analysts, and shareholders.
In her prior role at Bristol-Myers Squibb, Lydick was Vice President, Commercial Lead and was responsible for building the sales and marketing teams and leading the commercial launch of Zeposia® across multiple therapeutic areas (multiple sclerosis and ulcerative colitis). In her twelve years (2007-2019) at Celgene, Lydick held positions of increasing responsibility–and was instrumental in building the Inflammation & Immunology franchise, establishing markets of focus, defining resource and capability requirements to support global launches into competitive markets, and leading the US launch of the multi-billion dollar drug, Otezla®. Notably, Lydick received both her BSc degree in Zoology and a Master of Science degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Maine.
Sheri Lydick Insight
“BioAtla is the inventor and leader in the development of proprietary Conditionally Active Biologics (CAB) technology, creating antibodies that only bind to cancer cells not healthy cells. Currently, we have four CAB antibodies in clinical development across multiple solid tumors. Importantly, all of our programs are focused on providing novel cancer therapies for patients with high unmet medical need.”
20. Mahavir Prashad
Company: Aragen Life Sciences
Title: SVP & Head of Chemical Development Solutions
Mahavir Prashad is the SVP and Head of Chemical Development Solutions of Aragen Life Sciences. Prashad comes with over 37 years of experience in chemical and analytical development–with an emphasis on quality and cGMP compliances. His expertise lies in leveraging green chemistry principles and modern technologies in API synthesis. Prashad has led several projects to develop safe, economical, and ecologically cleaner processes for large-scale synthesis of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) for marketed products.
His company, Aragen, is a trusted R&D and manufacturing partner to the global life sciences industry. From concept to commercial, the company transforms your ideas into solutions for better health. Whether large pharma or biotech, an agrochemical or animal health company, Aragen provides global resources and proven capabilities at every stage of the biopharma lifecycle, in small and large molecules.
Prashad has a strong scientific track record to his credit, including 94 publications, 4 review articles, 1 book chapter, 71 patent applications, and 10 lectures at scientific conferences. Prior to joining Aragen, he worked with Novartis and Sai Life Sciences. Prashad earned a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI), CCS University.
Mahavir Prashad Insight
“In every molecule is the possibility for better health”.
21. Zeil Rosenberg
Company: Medical Tonix Pharmaceuticals
Title: Executive Vice President, Medical
Zeil Rosenberg, MD, MPH, joined Tonix as Executive Vice President, Medical in January 2023. In this role, Rosenberg is responsible for leading Tonix’s clinical development efforts for vaccines and antivirals. This includes overseeing the clinical development of Tonix’s vaccine for smallpox and monkeypox, TNX-801; the vaccine for COVID-19, TNX-1850; and the antiviral anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike protein monoclonal antibodies, TNX-3600 and TNX-3800–to protect immunocompromised individuals from severe COVID-19. Rosenberg brings to Tonix’s clinical team expertise as an infectious disease drug developer.
He was most recently at PPD, part of Thermo Fisher Scientific, serving as Executive Director, Biotech and as Therapeutic Area Head for Vaccines at its Accelerated Enrollment Solutions Group, where he provided leadership on multiple successful COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials. At BD, he was Worldwide Business Leader and Medical Director for Immunization; and was Vice President for Medical Affairs at Admera Health. He was key to the launch of a global public private partnership, including UNICEF and WHO, to help eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus through immunization, resulting in the significant reduction of neonatal mortality. Previously he also served as National Immunization Advisor to the Indonesian Ministry of Health in Jakarta; and as Chief Technical Officer for Immunization at USAID, Washington, D.C.
Rosenberg received his BA with Honors and Distinction at Stanford University; earned his MD at the University of California, San Francisco; and completed his internship and residency at Mount Sinai and Cornell University Medical College, respectively. He holds a Masters of Public Health from Columbia University. Furthermore, Rosenberg is an elected Fellow of both the American College of Preventive Medicine and the New York Academy of Medicine, and Specialty Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. He has served as AAS Science, Engineering and Diplomacy Fellow.
Zeil Rosenberg’s Insight
“Tonix is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing innovative therapies to improve population health. At Tonix, we are translating our deep understanding of biology and disease pathology into potential treatments across multiple therapeutic areas, including important Central Nervous System conditions like fibromyalgia, depression and migraine. Through our broad in-house capabilities and strategic collaborations with world-class academic institutions and non-profit research organizations, we strive to bring novel therapeutics to the patients who need them most.”
22. Christopher Jones
Company: ApotheCom
Title: SVP, Scientific Partner
Christopher Jones is the SVP of Scientific Partner of ApotheCom. He first joined the company in 2019 as VP of scientific services. ApotheCom is a Global Medical Communications powerhouse with offices in London, Leeds, Yardley, New York, San Francisco, San Diego, Boston, Lebanon, Auckland, Tokyo, and Johannesburg. Their mission is to be an effective and proactive broker of collaborative and sustained engagement for the healthcare community, to drive meaningful change, and positive outcomes. ApotheCom is uniquely able to create and deploy teams across many geographies, pulling on specialized skills and specific market expertise. The team comprises 130 PhDs and PharmDs–and more than 250 content developers who understand how to tell the scientific, clinical, and value stories to reach specific audiences.
Previously, Jones was a senior director of clinical oncology lead at MedErgy; and before that an associate scientific services director at Wolters Kluwer Pharma Solutions. Earlier in his career, he worked with PharmaWrite LLCPharma as a medical writer. Jones earned a PhD in Molecular Genetics from Swansea University and an undergraduate degree in biochemsitry from Cardiff University / Prifysgol Caerdydd.
Christopher Jones Insight
“ApotheCom is a strategic powerhouse with a deep heritage, qualified experts, and refined processes. Our mix of medical experts and technological and creative agility provide integrated solutions to support medical affairs across product life cycles.”
23. Dhaval Desai
Company: Iveric Bio
Title: Senior Vice-President & Chief Development Officer
Dhaval Desai, PharmD, is Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer at IVERIC Bio, a science-driven biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of novel treatment options for retinal diseases with significant unmet medical needs. The company is currently developing both therapeutic product candidates for age-related retinal diseases and gene therapy product candidates for orphan inherited retinal diseases.
Desai joined Iveric Bio as Chief of Staff in 2020 after serving as Vice President and Medical Unit Head of US Ophthalmics at Novartis. Under Desai’s leadership, Iveric Bio has achieved key goals, including receiving positive results from its pivotal clinical trial program and FDA Breakthrough Therapy designation for avacincaptad pegol in geographic atrophy.
Prior to Novartis, Desai was a Chief Strategy Officer at Aerpio Therapeutics; and a Global Director, Medical Affairs at ThromboGenics. Earlier in his career, he also worked with Sanofi and Onyx Pharmaceuticals. Desai graduated from Rutgers University with a PharmD.
Dhaval Desai Insight
“I am honored by this recognition as it reflects the hard work and energy that our team at Iveric Bio is dedicating to addressing unmet needs for people with retinal diseases. We see a world where vision is preserved, and I look forward to pioneering transformational therapies to make that vision a reality.”
24. Kiran Gande
Company: Leading Pharma
Title: VP, Regulatory Affairs and Pharmacovigilance
Kiran Gande is the VP of Regulatory Affairs and Pharmacovigilance of Leading Pharma, a privately-owned generic pharmaceutical company that purchases, licenses, develops, manufactures and distributes high-quality, safe and effective products. Their clients include drugstore chains, distributors, wholesalers, mass merchandisers, government agencies, and managed care accounts. The company's corporate headquarters are located in Fairfield, NJ –which is also the site of the company's 53,000 square-foot manufacturing facility. Milestones for Leading Pharma include successfully developing and implementing regulatory strategies to facilitate the approval and commercialization of wide variety of therapeutic range of products, including Antidepressants, Anticancer, Antihypertensive, Antipsychotic and Antiemetic, Anti-diarrheal, among many others.
Gande first joined the company in 2016 as associate director of regulatory affairs and pharmacovigilance. Prior to that, he was a quality assurance and analytical assurance at AstraZeneca, which was preceded by serving as a head of QA and RA at Appco Pharmaceuticals. Earlier in his career, he worked with Aurobindo Pharma as a senior quality assurance executive. Gande earned an MPharm from Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences and an undergraduate degree in pharmacy from Bangalore University.
25. Douglas Beck
Company: Cognivue
Title: Vice President of Clinical Science
Douglas Beck is the Vice President of Clinical Sciences of Cognivue, a provider of a risk assessment test that identifies changes in cognitive function that could be indicative of early dementia or Alzheimer's Disease. It is the world's first FDA-Cleared computerized test of cognitive function.
Beck began his professional career at the House Ear Institute (Los Angeles), where he focused on cochlear implant research and intraoperative cranial nerve monitoring. In 1988, he became Director of Audiology at Saint Louis University. In 1996, he co-founded a multi-office dispensing practice in St Louis. In 1999, he became President and Editor- In-Chief of AudiologyOnline.com and SpeechPathology.com. From 2008 through 2015 he served as Web Content Editor for the American Academy of Audiology (AAA). In 2016 he was appointed Senior Editor for Clinical Research at the Hearing Review and was appointed Adjunct Clinical Professor of Communication Disorders & Sciences at State University of NY at Buffalo. In August 2005 he joined Oticon Inc. In 2019 he was appointed Vice President of Academic Sciences at Oticon. After 17 years with Oticon, Beck retired on March 4, 2022.
Beck currently consults, lectures, teaches, volunteers, and writes for multiple audiology, science, medical, and health-related professional organizations globally. He is among the most prolific authors in audiology with more than 208 publications.
Douglas Beck Insight
"For many providers and patients, cognitive health has become increasingly important. The most important factor for potentially changing the trajectory (with regard to cognitive health & decline) is early detection. Cognitive screeners are fast, accurate and pragmatic. Within 10-12 minutes one can assess executive function, memory and visuo-spatial ability, and have a printed report for the physician, to decide if/when a diagnostic cognitive assessment is appropriate. The Lancet 2020 (Livingston and colleagues) reported some 40% of dementia risk is potentially modifiable, and the single largest potentially modifiable risk factor was determined to be untreated hearing loss."
