Geneva, 25 January 2021 –The biopharmaceutical global industry, represented by the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA), is pleased to announce that Jean-Christophe Tellier, UCB Chief Executive Officer & Chairman of the Executive Committee has assumed the role of IFPMA President. Jean-Christophe Tellier succeeds David A. Ricks, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Eli Lilly and Company. Albert Bourla, Chairman and CEO of Pfizer, has been appointed IFPMA Vice President and will together with Isao Teshirogi, President and CEO of Shionogi, complement the IFPMA CEO leadership team. They will serve as the Chair and Vice Chairs of the IFPMA CEO Steering Committee.

“I thank Dave for his leadership during the coronavirus pandemic.  He has been instrumental in showing how our industry can walk the talk and deliver treatments and vaccines but also ensure fair and equitable access to COVID-19 treatments and vaccines. I welcome Jean-Christophe as new IFPMA President and Chair of our CEO Steering Committee” said Thomas Cueni, Director General of IFPMA. “Today, we are at a critical juncture. We have the promise of several approved COVID-19 vaccines and treatments; but we are not out of the woods yet.  Jean-Christophe’s leadership will help us navigate the coming period and implement our 2021-2023 strategy.”

Jean-Christophe Tellier has been with UCB for more than 10 years; he became UCB’s Chief Executive Officer in 2015. He is a trained Medical Doctor specialized in rheumatology. His patient-centric approach, his passion for science, combined with his strategic and operational skills, have allowed him to significantly contribute to UCB’s success in recent years. Jean-Christophe has led the integration of a sustainability approach into UCB’s strategy to help improve its societal impact while ensuring that UCB continues to perform well as a company. He has also been instrumental in developing the company’s Patient Value Strategy. For Jean-Christophe Tellier “engaging the patient in our vision is the best way for our company to be successful in the long term. Having a holistic view of a patient, of his/her life in his/her environment is essential to ensure effective treatment.”

“From the outset of the pandemic, the biopharmaceutical industry has been doing everything in its power to quickly bring the pandemic under control; and to ensure fair and equitable access. But the focus on COVID-19, should not overshadow the need to continue and drive innovation forward in other areas such as non-communicable diseases. said Jean-Christophe Tellier.  “The post-pandemic world needs continued health innovation to drive global health progress in general and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in particular.  The best way for the innovative biopharmaceutical industry to have a positive impact on society and continue to thrive is to deliver on our commitments to patients and our stakeholders.”

The innovative biopharmaceutical industry founded on competitive research, intellectual property and the reward of success is increasingly looking beyond immediate results and is taking a long-term approach to their business goals and impact. This is consistent with supporting development of resilient and sustainable health systems. The sustainable business model is fully aligned with the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) principles and the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“The leadership provided by Dave has been instrumental in steering IFPMA towards a new three-year strategy that incorporates ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance).  I look forward to working with the new CEO leadership, headed by Jean-Christophe Tellier, Albert Bourla and Isao Teshirogi, to put it into action” said Cueni.  “We will be focusing on engaging around policies that acknowledge the long-term nature of our sustainable business model needs, market mechanisms such as health insurance and sick fund schemes to play more of a role than the global access mechanisms.”

About IFPMA

IFPMA represents the research-based pharmaceutical companies and associations across the globe. The research-based pharmaceutical industry’s 2 million employees discover, develop, and deliver medicines and vaccines that improve the life of patients worldwide. Based in Geneva, IFPMA has official relations with the United Nations and contributes industry expertise to help the global health community find solutions that improve global health.

IFPMA Leadership 2021-2022 – CEO Steering Committee

Chair: Jean-Christophe Tellier, UCB Chief Executive Officer & Chairman of the Executive Committee; Vice Chairs: Albert Bourla, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Pfizer; Isao Teshirogi, President and Chief Executive Officer, Shionogi & Co. Ltd.; Members: Hubertus von Baumbach, President EFPIA and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Boehringer Ingelheim; David A. Ricks, Chairman PhRMA and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Eli Lilly and Company; George Nakayama, President of JPMA and Senior Advisor Daiichi Sankyo; Thomas Cueni, Director-General, IFPMA.

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About IFPMA

IFPMA represents the innovative pharmaceutical industry at the international level, engaging in official relations with the United Nations and multilateral organizations. Our vision is to ensure that scientific progress translates into the next generation of medicines and vaccines that deliver a healthier future for people everywhere.

To achieve this, we act as a trusted partner, bringing our members' expertise to champion pharmaceutical innovation, drive policy that supports the research, development, and delivery of health technologies, and create sustainable solutions that advance global health.

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Media Contact

Elliot Dunster e.dunster@ifpma.org