EMJ GOLD: Pharma news, views and analysis

This week, Isabel sits down with Hanna Svanbäck, Executive Director for Neuroscience, Eli Lilly, for an insightful discussion on the evolving landscape of Alzheimer's research. Together, they explore the latest breakthroughs, the challenges ahead and the strategies shaping the future of treatment and prevention. In Part 1 of the conversation, find out about Hanna's journey into neuroscience, her work in Alzheimer's spanning three key markets and how her teams overcome the inevitable hurdles of brain-based drug discovery. Speaker bio Hanna Svanbäck is the Executive Director for Neuroscience, Eli Lilly, overseeing operations in the UK, Ireland and the Nordic countries. Hanna has over 15 years of experience at Lilly and is proud to lead the Neurosciences function given Lilly's long-standing commitment to advancing scientific innovation in this field. Hanna's passion for science and her dedication to utilising innovative approaches to enhance patient care are underpinned by her academic studies in Engineering Genomics and Biotechnology from the University of Umeå, Sweden and University of Manchester.

In Part 3 of the conversation, Giuseppe Savoja, Western Europe Senior Business Director, Cardiac Surgery Business at Medtronic, talks about his outlook for the future of his field, his views on how the industry and clinicians can collaborate more effectively and the healthcare changes he is most excited about. Guest bio Giuseppe Savoja is Senior Business Director for Cardiac Surgery in Western Europe at Medtronic, where he leads the business with a focus on transformation, growth, and patient impact. With 20+ years in the medical device industry and leadership roles across Europe and Asia, he brings a blend of engineering expertise, commercial experience and a passion for developing high-performing teams. Born in Rome and having lived around the world, he's now back in the Italian capital with his family. Outside work, Giuseppe enjoys windsurfing, snowboarding, sailing and motorbiking. Follow us on Instagram: @emj.gold

In Part 2 of the conversation, Giuseppe Savoja, Western Europe Senior Business Director, Cardiac Surgery Business, Medtronic, shares how ECMO has transformed over the decades and explores how clinicians and industry can work together to support the most vulnerable patients in intensive care. Guest bio Giuseppe Savoja is Senior Business Director for Cardiac Surgery in Western Europe at Medtronic, where he leads the business with a focus on transformation, growth, and patient impact. With 20+ years in the medical device industry and leadership roles across Europe and Asia, he brings a blend of engineering expertise, commercial experience and a passion for developing high-performing teams. Born in Rome and having lived around the world, he's now back in the Italian capital with his family. Outside work, Giuseppe enjoys windsurfing, snowboarding, sailing and motorbiking. Follow us on Instagram: @emj.gold

This week, Isabel is joined by Giuseppe Savoja, Western Europe Senior Business Director, Cardiac Surgery Business at Medtronic, for a deep-dive into the evolution and future of ECMO, innovation in critical care and the realities of leading in the MedTech space. In Part 1 of the interview, Giuseppe talks about what attracted him to the medical device industry, what his day-to-day role involves and what advice he would give to anyone considering joining the MedTech sector. Guest bio Giuseppe Savoja is Senior Business Director for Cardiac Surgery in Western Europe at Medtronic, where he leads the business with a focus on transformation, growth, and patient impact. With 20+ years in the medical device industry and leadership roles across Europe and Asia, he brings a blend of engineering expertise, commercial experience and a passion for developing high-performing teams. Born in Rome and having lived around the world, he's now back in the Italian capital with his family. Outside work, Giuseppe enjoys windsurfing, snowboarding, sailing and motorbiking. Follow us on Instagram: @emj.gold

In Part 2 of this conversation, Robert Stewart, CEO, Theramex, explains how wider society can improve outcomes for women and reflects on the impact of decades of neglect in the field. Speaker bio Robert Stewart is CEO of Theramex, a global pharma company committed to supporting women's health across contraception, fertility, menopause and osteoporosis. With over 30 years of industry experience, he has held senior leadership roles at Amneal Pharmaceuticals, Allergan and Abbott Laboratories. A passionate advocate for improving representation and access in women's healthcare, Stewart is leading Theramex's mission to empower women through innovative solutions and meaningful change across the heathcare landscape. Follow us on Instagram: @emj.gold

The EMJ GOLD podcast returns. To launch the series, Isabel is joined by Robert Stewart, CEO, Theramex – a global pharmaceutical company solely dedicated to women's health. In Part 1 of this discussion, they unpack what inspired Rob's professional focus in this area and the role men can play in championing women's health. Speaker bio Robert Stewart is CEO of Theramex, a global pharma company committed to supporting women's health across contraception, fertility, menopause and osteoporosis. With over 30 years of industry experience, he has held senior leadership roles at Amneal Pharmaceuticals, Allergan and Abbott Laboratories. A passionate advocate for improving representation and access in women's healthcare, Stewart is leading Theramex's mission to empower women through innovative solutions and meaningful change across the heathcare landscape. Follow us on Instagram: @emj.gold

Tune in as Isabel and Jade analyse the standout moments from EMJ GOLD's guests this season, uncovering the challenges and opportunities shaping today's pharmaceutical industry. From self-advocacy at work and the future of personalised medicine to disease awareness, market access and making your marketing efforts stand out – they explore the season's core themes, all backed by the latest industry data. Watch our featured guest's full episodes: GSK's Dheepa Chari on the evolving sphere of scientific communication Yacin Marzouki on disrupting the traditional omnichannel model BMS' Anita Gandhi on a decade of change in hematology Pfizer's Richard Maughan on the future of access in the UK GSK's Matt Mortimer-Ryan on behaviour-led pharma marketing Chiesi's Shish Patel on COPD, the climate and improving care AbbVie's Dr Daejin Abidoye on community and compassion in cancer care Bayer's Dr Joana Reis on the promise of AI in breast cancer

How can industry close the screening gap in breast cancer? Find out in this episode, where Dr Joana Reis, Medical Affairs Breast Lead, Radiology, Bayer, explores some of the most significant challenges and opportunities in imaging today. Together, Jade and Joana discuss her initial interest in a career in radiology, the pivotal role of professional societies in accelerating innovation, how AI is shaping the future of the field and much more. A little more on EMJ GOLD's guest… Dr Joana Reis was appointed Medical Affairs Breast Lead for radiology at Bayer in January of 2025. Before this, she was the Medical Affairs Lead for digital radiology at the company, where she developed strategies focusing on AI applications in imaging. Before joining Bayer, Joana worked as a Senior Consultant Breast Radiologist at Akershus University Hospital in Oslo, Norway.

Tune in as Dr Daejin Adiboye, Vice President, Therapeutic Area Head, Solid Tumor Oncology, AbbVie, explores both the evolution of cancer care and his leadership style over the last two decades. Together, Daejin and Jade discuss the lessons from his time in the clinic that shaped who he is today, the move to precision medicine in oncology, his work with the Cancer Support Community in San Francisco and much more. A little more on EMJ GOLD's guest… Dr Daejin Abidoye serves as Vice President, Therapeutic Area Head for Solid Tumor Oncology at AbbVie. In this role, he is responsible for the clinical development of all assets in late oncology clinical development. His career includes over 20 years of experience in oncology, cancer research and drug development. Prior to joining AbbVie, Daejin was the Therapeutic Area Lead for Oncology Development and Clinical Research at Gilead Sciences. He has also held various roles at Seattle Genetics and Roche-Genentech. Dr. Abidoye is a board-certified oncologist with a career in clinical practice at Scripps Health in Southern California.

What is the environmental impact of respiratory illness? Find out in this episode of the EMJ GOLD podcast, where Shish Patel, Medical Director, Chiesi UK, joins Isabel to discuss the rising burden of COPD and the impact of respiratory care on the planet. Together, the two explore the diagnostic gap in COPD, improving the experience of people living with the disease, balancing health innovation with climate concerns and much more. A little more on EMJ GOLD's guest… Shish Patel trained as a pharmacist and has worked in the pharmaceutical industry for over 30 years. Currently, he serves as Medical Director at Chiesi UK and Ireland, and he has held senior positions within medical and scientific functions at both affiliate and global level throughout his career. In addition to his significant time at Chiesi, Shish has held positions at GSK and Sanofi. Shish also holds key industry board positions including at the Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority and the ABPI.