Pharma 40-2009

pharma

the final list

2009

World Pharmaceutical Frontiers presents its annual list of the 40 most influential people in the industry, as judged by industry experts. Editor Andrew Tunnicliffe reveals the results.

T

he world’s pharmaceutical sector is in a state of transition. The global credit crunch and subsequent economic downturn has changed industry sectors dramatically, in some cases beyond recognition. When we embarked on the 2008 Pharma 40 list, it was clear that the industry faced significant challenges. Those, I’m sorry to say, have not disappeared, although it may seem like that. Instead, they have gone to the middle of a large pile of the more immediate challenges to be addressed. Among the pressing issues are blockbuster drugs nearing the end of their patents, increasingly rigorous legislation, the growing threat posed by counterfeiters, a lack of affordable financing and the need by business to re-invent itself to survive the economic downturn. But this isn’t a completely downbeat story. Many industry watchers believe that of the sectors facing challenging times, pharmaceutical manufacturers are perhaps better positioned than most to ride out the economic storm, and may even benefit from it.

Pharmaceutical manufacturers are perhaps better positioned than most to ride out the economic storm.

That is perhaps why the 2009 Pharma 40 looks like it does. Last year, the top ten was dominated by science, with the number one slot going to Mario C Capecchi, Oliver Smithies and Sir Martin J Evans. The judging panel concluded that this was the result of the need for pharma to find that next big winner. This year, while some of the key players from the world’s biggest pharma make it in there, regulations will be the great definer of the year ahead. The most obvious demonstration of that is the entry of the new US president at number one.

1

N

Barak Obama, US President

23 N James Alexander Thomson,

2

5

Sir Michael Rawlins, chairman of the National Institute of Health & Clinical Excellence

24 N Julio Montagnier, director,

3

8

Thomas Lönngren, executive director, EMEA

4 18 Janet Woodcock, director,

Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, USFDA

5 10 Shlomo Yanai,

president and CEO, Teva Pharmaceuticals

6

3

director of regenerative biology, Morgridge Institute for Research World Foundation for AIDS Research and Prevention

25 N James M Cornelius,

chairman and CEO, Bristol-Myers Squibb

26 N Chris Viehbacher, CEO, Sanofi Aventis

27

9

Bill Clinton, founder, The Clinton Foundation

Bill and Melinda Gates, co-chairs, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

28 N John R Seffrin, CEO,

7

17

Shao Mingli, commissioner, Chinese State FDA

29

8

N

Surinder Singh, drugs controller general, India

9

N

Daniel Vasella, CEO, Novartis

30 26 Carl Icahn, investor 31 20 Frances M Visco,

American Cancer Society

18

Billy Tauzin, president and CEO, PhRMA

president, National Breast Cancer Coalition

10 2 Arthur Levinson, chairman

32 N Bernard Poussot,

11 Andrew Witty, CEO, GSK 12 N Robert Langer,

33 N Ranga R Iyer, president,

and CEO, Genentech

president and CEO, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals

6

Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India

Langer Labs

13 4 Margaret Chan,

director general, WHO

14 30 Mark Walport, director, UK Wellcome Trust

15 7 Charles E Grassley, chairman, Senate Finance Committee

16 38 Richard T Clark, chairman, president and CEO, Merck & Co

17 N Joseph Herring, chairman and CEO, Covance

18 N Martin Mackay,

34 36 M Cass Wheeler, CEO,

American Heart Association

35

37

36 32 Fred Hassan, president,

IfPMA, and chairman/CEO, Schering-Plough Corporation

37 N Leslie Dan, former president and CEO, Novopharm

38

15

head R&D, Pfizer

19

N

Andrew C von Eschenbach, commissioner, USFDA

20 N Arthur Higgins, chairman,

Ronald D Luff, director analytical trials, Quest Diagnostics

Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the House of Representatives

39 11 Jeffrey Kindler, CEO, Pfizer 40 N Shinya Yamanaka,

professor, Kyoto University/ Gladstone Institute of Cardovascular Disease

Bayer Healthcare Executive Committee/EFPIA president

21 N Anji Reddy, chairman,

Dr Reddy’s Laboratories

22 39 Roger L Williams,

executive VP and CEO, US Pharmacopeia

KEY

Up from 2008 Down from 2008 N New entrant

39 1

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President Barak Obama The new US president swept to power with the promise that ‘change has come to America’. During his campaign, Obama set out his vision for many key issues, and healthcare reform was one of them. The US healthcare system has been ill for some time with major issues requiring urgent attention, not least the millions of uninsured patients missing out on treatment. While ‘fixing’ it was a key policy, some critics argued that his good intentions and captivating rhetoric lacked detail. Obama’s roadmap of change has now become clearer and is winning much praise from what were once critical voices. Many have likened his aim of correcting healthcare provision to the Clinton administration’s pledge of the mid-90s, although this is only up to a point. For all the good intentions, Clinton’s attempts were not so successful and remain mired in disappointment even 15 years later. Preliminary plans have been made, appointees appointed and strategies sound-boarded. But what will be the eventual outcome? How can Obama, along with tasks such as the shrinking economy and two wars, make good his pledge to breathe new life into a faltering system and bring quality healthcare to all? And what will it mean for healthcare providers and drugs companies? It all remains to be seen.Change has come, but is it the right kind?

When we were tallying up the scores this time last year, despite the many miles the then-senator Obama had travelled during his campaign trial, few people could have envisaged the influence he would have on the world’s pharmaceutical industry. Back then, Obama had only just got through the caucuses stage of the election process, but today, a little more than two months into his premiership, it is clear that his administration will play a major part in reshaping the US and, subsequently, the global pharmaceutical market.

Elsewhere, China and India are gaining in strength and influence, although somewhat subdued since the onset of the global financial crisis. The jockeying for position and the desire to be a strong influence will only become more intense. Meanwhile, in the UK, Sir Michael Rawlins moves to second place from fifth last year, signifying NICE’s lead position as the world standard setter. Do you agree? Let us know your thoughts on this year’s list and who you think should be there in 2010.

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Running head

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2

Sir Michael Rawlins

Sir Michael Rawlins has been chairman of the National Institute of Health & Clinical Excellence (NICE) for ten years. This independent organisation continues to spark debate, providing guidance to the British Government on the licensing of new drugs. Many critics have accused NICE of being too slow in its approval process, leaving many patients to suffer needlessly for years. However, ministers have announced plans to speed the process up by reducing waiting times from years to just six months. As part of the package of measures, a new committee of experts will be established to consider drug approvals and so-called ‘horizon scanning’ much earlier in the drug development process when products are to be referred to NICE. Rawlins is also chair of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, honorary professor at the London

School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine at the University of London, and emeritus professor at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.

3 Thomas Lönngren 4 Janet Woodcock As executive director, the European Medicines Agency, Thomas Lönngren has overseen its operations through a period of great change. EMEA conducts scientific evaluations of applications for European marketing for the authorisation of medical products. This role will become more pressured as the sector battles to remain profitable in the face of toughening conditions and companies push for faster approvals.

Lönngren qualified as a pharmacist at Uppsala University in Sweden in 1976 and holds an MSc degree in social and regulatory pharmacy. After lecturing for a short while in 1978 he took up a position with the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare, where he stayed for 12 years. During 1982-84, he was a senior pharmaceutical consultant for the Swedish International Development Agency’s health cooperation programme in Vietnam. His career then took him into the post of director of operations for the Swedish Medical Products Agency and then as deputy director general.

Janet Woodcock is director, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, USFDA. In March 2008, just days after the last Pharma 40 list was published, she was named permanent director of the CDER, moving from acting director, a position she had held since October 2007. During her career, Woodcock has played a key role in introducing an array of initiatives that have had an impact on the US and wider pharma community. One such project was the Critical Path Initiative, which was established to bridge the gap between basic scientific research and the medical product development process. For years, Woodcock has been a prominent FDA scientist and is a multi-award winner. She received her Doctor of Medicine at Northwestern Medical School, Chicago, US, after which she went on to further study. She has taught at Pennsylvania State University and the University of California. Despite such a distinguished career, the judges thought that as a new commissioner looking to make changes, Woodcock’s influence could disappear.

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5 Shlomo Yanai

Shlomo Yanai became president and CEO of Israeli-based Teva Pharmaceuticals in 2007. Previously, he served 32 years with the Israel Defence Forces, where he achieved the rank of major general and held two of the most senior positions. Yanai also played a part in bringing together Israeli and Palestinian leaders for peace talks during the Clinton administration. A new entry last year at number ten, Yanai’s ascent up the rankings is a sign of the growing challenge generics manufacturers pose to the more traditional pharma sector.

6 Bill & Melinda Gates

While Bill and Melinda Gates continue to slip down the rankings after taking the top spot in 2007, the Gates Foundation keeps on growing, having increased its global headcount by over 200 in the past year. In 2008, it awarded $2.8 billion to good causes, taking its total grant commitments to $20 billion since the William H Gates Foundation and the Gates Library Foundation merged in 2000. Bill Gates stepped down from his role at Microsoft in 2008 to devote more time to the foundation. He has also indicated his intention to raise donations by 15% in 2009.

7 Shao Mingli

8 Surinder Singh

9 Daniel Vasella

10 Arthur Levinson

Shao Mingli is commissioner of the Chinese State Food and Drug Administration. Although the Chinese pharmaceutical market has grown dramatically in recent years, challenges remain, in particular those of lax regulation. Pharma has taken advantage of reduced manufacturing costs, but the issue of quality, accountability and regulatory protection persists. Mingli is expected to provide guidance and instil confidence, particularly as the global economy slows and conditions tighten. One of the judges said that while his position is theoretically important, Mingli now ‘has to deliver’.

As chairman and CEO of Novartis, Daniel Vasella was described by our judges as a ‘smart guy’. Vasella has enjoyed a good year in his post at one of the largest pharmaceutical companies. Novartis has approached a number of deals with its competitors with an aim to either acquire or collaborate. The coming 12 months could be key to the future success of the company as it looks to take advantage of the faltering global economy and weakness of some of its smaller competitors. Vasella has been a member of the Novartis management team since its merger in 1996.

As drugs controller general of India, Surinder Singh heads the regulatory body of this increasingly important market where the pace of change is picking up. However, India’s challenges are similar to those faced by China: the need to provide greater regulation and protection for investment, which is key to the future growth of the domestic pharmaceutical sector. Since Singh took over his post in February 2008, the economic landscape has changed considerably, with the industry facing the challenges of a global downturn. Singh is also directorate general of Health Services, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.

These are changing times for Genetech following the deal, announced in March this year, to merge with Swiss drugs-maker Roche. The agreement ended months of uncertainty following a very public battle over share values. Speaking after the deal was agreed, Roche chairman Franz B Humer said the companies would work together to remove the uncertainty for employees. But where does this leave the ongoing leadership of Genentech chairman and CEO Levison? He has brought the company to where it is today, said to be ready to introduce 15 new drugs by 2015.

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Witty E 11 Andrew 15 Charles Grassley As he approaches a year in his role as GSK CEO, Witty has pledged to expand into emerging markets where he feels there is great potential. As part of these plans, the company aims to reduce the cost of its patent drugs in developing countries in the hope that it will help increase sales.

12 Robert Langer has

Robert Langer

spent over 30 years working in medicine, holding posts such as chairman of the USFDA’s Science Board. He has over 650 patents licensed or sublicensed to 200 pharmaceutical, chemical, biotechnology and medical device companies. He is determined to help medicine and is a figure to watch – you never know what will come out of the Langer Lab.

13 Margaret Chan was

Margaret Chan

Senator Grassley is one of the USFDA’s most aggressive critics and is a major force in reforming the US pharmaceutical market. Our judges said he was continuing to force the sector to ‘look in the mirror’ and further develop their practices.

16 TRichard Clark

Richard Clark has played a big part in steering Merck & Co through the legal and political minefield surrounding some of its drugs. Under his stewardship, the company has announced plans to cut costs over the coming few years. But where will this strategy leave Merck & Co?

James 23 Alexander Thomson

Appointed the 20th Commissioner of the USFDA in 2006, von Eschenbach continues his prominence within medicine. He was director of the National Cancer Institute and enjoyed a career as a urologic surgeon and oncologist.

Named as one of the 100 most influential people by Time Magazine in 2008, Thomson is renowned for his work in the isolation and culture of non-human primate and human embryonic stem cells.

20 Arthur Higgins

Arthur Higgins

has been attributed with transforming Bayer Healthcare. The company said that despite the potential for strategic deals in the current environment, it would look to reduce its debt and preserve earning. Perhaps Higgin’s role as president of the EFPIA will offer opportunities to make a major impact.

Herring Reddy 17 Joseph 21 Anji As chairman and Despite being one

appointed to her position at the WHO in 2006. Among many issues, she has pushed for recognition of the effects of climate change on public health. The judges believe her influence on the global pharma industry will be far and wide-reaching.

CEO of Covance, one of the largest CROs, Joseph Herring is driving its business strategy. Part of that strategy is to expand into developing markets, and the company has recently opened new offices in Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

Mark 14 Sir Walport

18 When he was

Martin Mackay

Sir Mark Walport received his knighthood in 2009. He is responsible for the daily running and strategic management of the UK Wellcome Trust, helping fund development and innovation within pharma and medical specialities. The charity’s research includes the reprogramming of mouse cells to create pluripotent stem cells.

Dr Andrew 19 C von Eschenbach

appointed head of Pfizer R&D in October 2008, the company stated: ‘Martin Mackay will bring Pfizer’s talent, drug discovery and development experience, capital and technology to bear on increasing the value of our near-term pipeline and bringing new compounds forward to approval.’

of the largest pharma companies in India, Reddy’s Laboratories has had a turbulent year with some success in drug development, along with other disputes involving patents and the seizure of a consignment of drugs for patent infringement.

L 22 Roger Williams

Since joining the US Pharmacopeia in 2000, Williams has played a key role in modernising the organisation, ensuring that it is ready to meet the challenges and needs of its constituencies in an evolving industry. Our judges applauded his ongoing work in introducing new industry-wide standards.

24 Julio Montagnier

Julio Montagnier is director of the World Foundation for AIDs Research and Prevention. He was jointly awarded the 2008 Nobel Prize for medicine.

M 25 James Cornelius

Bristol-Myers Squibb CEO Cornelius was described by one of our judges as a ‘savvy’ deal-maker. The company has been following a strategy of smaller acquisitions and cost-cutting. Cornelius has been applauded for promoting ethical behaviour within pharma.

26 Chris Viehbacher

Chris Veihbacher became sanofi-aventis CEO in December 2008. The company has endured major difficulties recently, but there are signs that it is coming out the other side, with rumours tof its involvement in acquisition talks with a number of businesses.

Clinton 27 Bill Clinton continues to lobby governments and pharma to provide lower cost AIDS drugs and large-scale integrated care, treatment and prevention

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programmes in developing countries. One of his latest achievements was getting 6 million US children into routine visits to physicians and dieticians in the battle against childhood obesity.

R Seffrin 28 John John Effrin heads the American Cancer Society, one of the US’s most powerful pressure groups. He continues to raise funds for cancer research and awareness of the needs of cancer patients and their carers.

29 PhRMA president Billy Tauzin

and CEO Billy Tauzin continues his efforts to raise healthcare standards and drive down costs, to make healthcare more accessible to the end user. His stance should sit well with the new Obama administration.

Icahn 30 Carl Branded as an ‘old school’ corporate raider in the last Pharma 40 survey, this year, our judges said Icahn had retained the ability to force further consolidation. However, during 2008, there have been signs that his work in pharma is slowing.

31 MFrances Visco

Frances Visco is president of the National Breast Cancer Coalition and she continues to use her influence to raise awareness of the disease. She was appointed to the President’s Cancer Panel during Bill Clinton’s administration.

32 Bernard Poussot

As president and CEO of Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Poussot’s mission to change ‘tomorrow’s vision’ on drug accessibility has gained plaudits from the pharma community. The announcement of a strategic alliance between Wyeth and Santaris Pharma may lead to a further breakthrough in the selection of unique drug candidates.

R Iyer 33 Ranga As OPPI president, Ranga Iyer continues the drive to raise India’s domestic and international pharmaceutical standards by bringing forward tough regulations to combat the growing use of substandard and counterfeit products. He is also managing director at Wyeth.

Cass 34 MWheeler

Wheeler has been involved in the field of medicine for 35 years. She has been CEO of the American Heart Association, one of the US’s most powerful pressure groups, for over ten years.

D Luff 35 Ronald Ronald Luff’s contributions in cytology and cytopathology have been instrumental in helping establish the first US nationwide system to standardise terminology used in the diagnosis and treatment of cervical disease.

36 Schering-Plough

Fred Hassan

recently announced a collaboration with the

WHO to provide developing countries with access to pandemic influenza vaccine manufacturing technology. This agreement is a sign of chairman and CEO Hassan’s dedication to innovation and aiding access to essential drugs for poorer patients.

Dan 37 Leslie Philanthropist Leslie Dan has conducted pioneering work into generic pharmaceuticals. He is also attributed as enabling the establishment of the clinical trials infrastructure in Hungary.

38 As speaker

Nancy Pelosi

of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi has the potential to be a key player during this presidential term. She has committed to helping President Obama push through the changes he wants to make to healthcare reform.

39 Jeffrey Kindler

Kindler said his aim is to grow Pfizer’s business and revenues, and that he is open to the possibility of acquisitions ‘big, small and in-between’. This goal, said our judges, means he is an ‘important figure’, however, it remains to be seen how effective he can be.

40

Shinya Yamanaka

Professor Shinya Yamanaka is known for his work on induced pluripotent stem cells. He received the Robert Koch Prize and the Shaw Prize in 2008.

judging panel The judging panel for this year’s Pharma 40 comprised a number of industry watchers. We would like to thank our judges for their contributions. However, perhaps the best judges are our readers. Please let us know your opinions. Andrew Jack is

pharmaceutical correspondent for The Financial Times in London, UK. He is a distinguished writer with a wealth of industry knowledge. Agnes S Klien

is director of the Centre for the Evaluation of Radiopharmaceuticals and Biotherapuetic Products in the Biologics and Genetic Therapies Directorate. Among her special interests is the appropriate design of clinical trials and ethical issues relating to clinical trials’ design and conduct. Clive Savage

is director of corporate communication, EMEA, with IMS Health. This market intelligence and data provider operates in over 100 countries, making it the leading provider of pharmaceutical information. Ed Silverman is a prize-

winning journalist who has covered the pharmaceutical industry for over 12 years. Andrew Tunnicliffe

is editor of World Pharmaceutical Frontiers.

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