The patient voice matters: How UCB Pharma Canada is redefining healthcare research
UCB GM Rodrigo Reis says collaborations with Toronto’s University Heath Network is expediting Dx of axial spondyloarthritis and reducing wait times for care (Issue #323, 1150 words, 4.5 minutes)
Good morning, and welcome to the NPC Healthbiz Weekly e-newsletter from the National Pharmaceutical Congress and Chronicle Companies.
A key aspect of UCB Pharma Canada’s approach to shaping the future of healthcare is integrating patient voices into research and development. The aim is to ensure that clinical trials and treatments reflect real-world value for individuals living with severe diseases, according to Rodrigo Reis, the General Manager of UCB Pharma Canada, who spoke on the NPC Podcast.
“We put patients at the core of everything we do, and we try to ensure that patients influence our decisions,” he said.
A key focus for Reis is expediting diagnoses for patients with chronic conditions. Highlighting the collaboration between UCB and the University Health Network (UHN) in Toronto to enhance axial spondyloarthritis care, Reis underscored the importance of reducing the lengthy delays patients face. “Patients may wait seven to eight years to get diagnosed with axial spondyloarthritis,” he noted. “This delay creates a bottleneck in ensuring the best outcomes, as the lengthy process to diagnosis hinders timely treatment. We asked ourselves how we could work with the healthcare ecosystem to expedite the diagnosis for these patients. This collaboration between UCB and UHN is centred around that goal: to speed up the diagnostic process.” He added that this initiative uses interdisciplinary approaches to ensure timely treatment and improved patient outcomes.
Reis [pictured below] also noted that UCB Canada is venturing into the rare disease space, marking a significant milestone with the recent approval of ZILBRYSQ for treating adults with generalized myasthenia gravis (MG). He anticipates further expansion with another product under review by Health Canada, positioning UCB as a leader in the MG space. “Our ambition, at the end of the day, is that these launches will help us lead in MG,” he said. “Our goal is to change and transform the treatment paradigm.” Reis compared this moment to introducing biological therapies in other therapeutic areas, such as immunology and dermatology, where similar innovations have revolutionized care.
Reis said innovation at UCB is not limited to product development. He said the company’s commitment to innovation is embedded in its culture by advancing the science behind diseases, discovering new molecules, and challenging the status quo in business practices. Reis emphasized the importance of fostering an innovative environment where employees feel empowered to propose new ideas and learn from successes and failures. “We’re trying to promote a culture of psychological safety,” he said. “We want employees to feel safe to bring their perspectives to the table, even if those perspectives are controversial, without fear of retaliation.”
Reflecting on his career path, Reis’s diverse professional experiences in Brazil, the U.S., and Latin America have given him a unique perspective on the pharmaceutical industry. He notes the similarities between the healthcare systems in Brazil and Canada, particularly in areas such as pricing and market access, but also acknowledges the greater complexity of the Canadian system. “Patients in Canada wait longer than in other developed countries to access innovative treatment,” he said. “Canada ranked last among G7 countries for access to healthcare innovation. That may be a challenge or an opportunity in Canada to change that landscape.”
Looking ahead, Reis acknowledged the macroeconomic pressures facing the pharmaceutical industry, including increased inflation and pricing pressures. However, he remains optimistic about the potential of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, to drive innovation in areas like research and development.
THIS WEEK 03/18/25
ViiV Healthcare, a company focussed on HIV therapy and majority-owned by GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK), with Pfizer Inc. and Shionogi as shareholders, announced that Quebec has become the first province to publicly reimburse cabotegravir tablets and extended-release injectable suspension (Apretude) for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to reduce the risk of sexually acquired HIV-1 infection in at-risk individuals who are HIV-1 negative.
Regeneron Canada completed negotiations with the Pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance to reimburse cemiplimab for injection (Libtayo) for the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer.
The Government of Alberta will publicly reimburse Novartis Canada’sCanada for itsm (177Lu) vipivotide tetraxetan injection (Pluvicto) for eligible patients with prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-positi)- positivetic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).
The U.S. FDA has approved Neurotech Pharmaceuticals’ revakinagene taroretcel-lwey (Encelto) for treating Macular Telangiectasia type 2.
NOW LISTEN UP: HERE’S LISA MULLETT OF SUMITOMO PHARMA
In season 13 of the NPC Podcast, Lisa Mullett, Senior Vice-President of Sumitomo Pharma America, gives insights into the importance of diversity in companies and patient trials, stepping out of your comfort zone to further your career, and accelerating development with AI. Hear her in conversation with podcast hosts Mitch Shannon, Jim Shea, and Mark McElwain.
HEALTHBIZ REWIND
This feature of NPC Healthbiz Weekly looks back at some of the most insightful moments from previous NPC Podcast episodes. You can listen to the podcast here.
Milva D’Aronco
Founding Member and Board President
Women Leaders in Pharma
Season 12, Episode 05
Listen to this episode here
(This episode was recorded in May 2024)
How do mentorship and sponsorship play a role in helping women navigate their careers in pharma?
Mentorship can help anyone. I see it as a way to avoid reinventing the wheel. If someone has been through something similar or learned the hard way, they can help guide you toward an easier path. Mentorship is a helpful tool for progressing in your career, allowing you to get where you want faster or more smoothly.
Sponsorship, on the other hand, is crucial. It’s about having someone speak on your behalf when you're not in the room, and that’s essential. You must be proactive about seeking sponsorship, get out of your comfort zone and ask for it. Make sure that things are happening for you. Many women think their work will speak for itself, but that’s not how it works. Having a sponsor or mentor ensures that your work is seen because, on its own, your work won’t have a voice. Both are incredibly important.
There’s also a third aspect, which is coaching. People are often thrown from individual contributor roles into leadership positions without proper preparation. If you think about it, to be an accountant, you go to school and learn the trade. To be a manager, you often have to figure it out independently. Coaching helps by guiding what you’re doing well and where you need improvement. It helps you turn stumbling blocks into opportunities. I believe that every challenge is simply an opportunity in disguise.
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