Congratulations on your new role. Could you briefly tell us about your background and your vision as the Country President of Novartis Canada?
I have spent close to 23 years in the life sciences sector, beginning in clinical research before moving into commercial roles. Over the course of my career, I have worked in five different countries and have led organizations in Poland and Switzerland. This is now my third country leadership role, and I am excited to return home to Canada, where I am originally from.
Through my international experience, I have learned a great deal about different markets and healthcare environments. Coming back to Canada allows me to bring those learnings home and partner with stakeholders across the healthcare ecosystem to strengthen the system. Novartis is one of the most innovative and patient-focused organizations in the world, dedicated to translating cutting-edge science into solutions for unmet medical needs. The first few months have been a great start, including meeting the Minister of Health and hosting her at our Montreal office for the Novartis Health Equity Initiative addressing health inequities in the country. I have also been impressed by the talent and sense of purpose within the organization, which gives me great confidence in what we can achieve.
What excites you most about the next wave of innovation at Novartis?
Novartis has an incredibly rich pipeline across immunology, oncology, Cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic (CRM) , and neuroscience. What makes the company stand out is its focus on cutting-edge science and precision medicine. We are working with highly innovative platforms such as radioligand therapy, CAR T therapy, and gene therapy, all designed to target disease in more precise and effective ways.
Radioligand therapy is one of the most fascinating areas of innovation in life sciences today.
It is a targeted treatment that binds to cancer cells and then releases radiation to destroy them while sparing healthy tissue. It offers real hope for patients with advanced prostate cancer. Delivering it, however, requires complex coordination, as the treatment has a short shelf life from production to administration. We partnered with treatment sites across provinces including Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, and Nova Scotia, to distribute the product to patients who need it to the most and, I am very proud of what the team accomplishes on this front.
Access to medicines remains a challenge in Canada. What practical steps can help patients benefit from innovation sooner?
This is an area where there is still work to be done in this country. On average, Canadians wait 598 days after Health Canada approval before gaining access to a medicine through public drug plans. That is roughly twice as long as in other OECD countries, about 12 to 18 months longer than in many EU countries, and significantly longer than in the United States. That delay is not acceptable for Canadian patients.
Addressing this requires stronger dialogue and partnership between industry, government, and other stakeholders to identify gaps and implement innovative solutions. A positive example is Ontario’s Funding Accelerated for Specific Treatments (FAST) pathway, which enables more rapid reimbursement of certain groundbreaking oncology therapies. We were among the first companies to successfully bring one of our innovations through that pathway. This kind of approach can serve as a model to scale across provinces and help reduce inequities in access across the country.
What role can Novartis Canada play in strengthening Canada’s position as a global leader in life sciences and clinical research?
We are very proud of our clinical footprint in Canada. Novartis has the second-largest clinical presence among innovative companies in the country, and we aspire to become the top research company here. Importantly, we are not only bringing clinical trials to Canada, but also early-phase and first-in-human studies, which are highly sought after globally. This helps showcase the expertise of Canadian research sites and strengthens Canada’s position as a leading research destination.
We also invest significantly in building and supporting research infrastructure, including radioligand therapy, CAR T, and gene therapy sites across the country. By partnering with different sites and working closely with research centers, we ensure that patients can access these innovations while also positioning Canada to attract future trials and investment. At the same time, Canada must treat life sciences as a strategic priority for economic prosperity and security. Strengthening competitiveness, recognizing the value of innovation, and building efficient access pathways are critical to ensuring continued investment and patient benefit.
Looking ahead to 2026, what are your top priorities for Novartis Canada?
At Novartis, our primary objective is to do everything possible to bring our cutting-edge innovations addressing unmet medical needs to the patients who can benefit most. That commitment is central to our vision and to my role as leader of the organization. We must ensure that when these innovations arrive in Canada, they reach patients quickly and effectively.
Secondly, we will continue to work hand-in-hand with stakeholders across the healthcare ecosystem to close existing gaps and strengthen infrastructure. This includes government, healthcare providers, and patient associations. Through strong partnerships and open dialogue, we can shape an environment where Canada remains competitive, attracts future investment, and, most importantly, ensures that patients benefit from the full potential of medical innovation.
