Kicking 2025 off with a bang! We’re thrilled to announce we’ve successfully placed several Senior-Level Portfolio Executives in the Global Generic Pharmaceutical space. A huge thank you to our incredible clients for trusting us to strengthen their Commercial Portfolio teams.
At Strawn Arnold, we take pride in sharing our industry expertise and are committed to building strong, long-term relationships.
As we celebrate Women’s History Month, we take this opportunity to honor the incredible women who have made significant contributions to the pharma, biotech, and medical devices industries. Their dedication, innovation, and leadership have not only advanced these fields but have also paved the way for future generations of women leaders.
At Strawn Arnold, we are proud to support and champion the achievements of women who break barriers and drive progress in life sciences. Throughout the history of our industry, women have been and continue to be at the forefront of transforming healthcare and improving lives. This month, and every month, we celebrate the women who inspire us with their resilience, passion, and unwavering commitment to excellence.
Join us in celebrating these remarkable women in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and medical devices. Let’s continue to support and empower each other as we work towards a brighter, healthier future for all.
We’re hiring a Senior Director, Portfolio for a Global Generics Company. For more information or to apply, contact Oliver Esman at [email protected].
by Jim Alexander, PharmD
The number of PharmDs employed in the U.S. pharmaceutical industry has more than doubled over the past decade. This growth has been fueled by the recognition that PharmDs offer a valuable skillset to industry employers to help navigate new drug development projects that are increasing in number and complexity. These new therapies have created a heightened demand for specialized talent, including healthcare professionals and clinically trained pharmacist medication experts. As a retained executive search professional specializing in the pharma sector, I have seen how strategic recruitment of PharmDs can help drive innovation and provide a competitive edge for pharmaceutical companies.
As medication experts with clinical training, PharmDs are well-equipped to contribute to new drug development and commercialization, as well as optimal medication use in patient populations. The most common functional areas in which industry employers utilize PharmD talent include Medical Affairs (all aspects, including Field Medical), Clinical Development, Regulatory Affairs, Pharmacovigilance, Market Access/HEOR, and various Commercial functions including executive level management.
Currently, there are over 900 PharmD Fellows participating in U.S. Fellowships with 100+ industry employers, including most of the leading pharmaceutical companies. This represents 253% growth in the last decade, many times higher than overall industry employment increases during the same timeframe. Fellowship alumni represent about 25% of the 20,000+ pharmacists currently employed in the U.S. pharmaceutical industry. Still, the vast majority of PharmDs (around 15,000) employed in the U.S. pharmaceutical industry did not complete a Fellowship training program. They either secured an entry level role upon graduation, or more likely, transitioned into industry after some time in academic/clinical pharmacy or community practice.
Pharma employers have recognized the upward and lateral career mobility of PharmDs. Their versatile experience has propelled PharmDs to advance in their careers to leadership roles within the pharmaceutical industry, ranging from startups to biotechs to big pharma companies. In fact, more than 1,100 PharmDs are currently employed in senior leadership roles (Executive Director or higher) in the U.S. pharmaceutical industry.
As a retained executive search professional, I am committed to helping pharmaceutical industry employers unlock the full potential of PharmD talent. Strategically recruiting and integrating these talented professionals into industry roles can help drive the advancements that will shape the future of new therapies that improve patient outcomes and accelerate the success of the companies they serve.
At Strawn Arnold, we have the privilege of working with incredible professionals in the life sciences industry. Many of these individuals are driven by a deep empathy for patients and their families, dedicating their careers to improving lives, advancing healthcare, and reducing suffering.
Empathy is not just a trait – it’s a powerful force that fuels innovation in our field. As we recruit and place these passionate professionals, we are reminded of the profound impact empathy has on our work and on the trailblazing companies we support.
In a time when empathy is needed more than ever, let’s celebrate and cultivate this essential quality. Together, we can create a more compassionate world.
As we advance in pharmaceuticals, biotech, and medical devices, we celebrate the crucial contributions of Black professionals impacting global health. From groundbreaking research to leadership roles, Black professionals are transforming our industry. Their dedication, expertise, and unique perspectives are advancing healthcare solutions for all. In honor of Black History Month, here are 13 trailblazing heroes shaping the future of healthcare:
1. Dr. Percy Lavon Julian, research chemist who pioneered the synthesis of medicinal compounds from plant sources, forming the foundation for the synthesis of corticosteroids to treat allergic & inflammatory disease.
2. Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett, Asst Professor of Immunology & Infectious Diseases at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, who played a pivotal role in the development of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.
3. Dr. Tony Coles, Board Member at Regeneron, & former CEO/Board Chair of Cerevel Therapeutics which developed novel therapies for neurological diseases.
4. Dr. Carla Pugh, Professor of Surgery at Stanford University School of Medicine, a renowned surgeon and medical device innovator revolutionizing surgical training.
5. Dr. Roderic Pettigrew, CEO of EnHealth, a pioneer in cardiovascular MRI.
6. Dr. Hadiyah-Nicole Green, Assoc Professor, Morehouse School of Medicine, medical physicist developing innovative cancer treatments using laser-activated nanoparticles.
7. Dr. Charles Drew, Former Head of the Department of Surgery & Chief of Surgery at Freedmen’s Hospital, who developed improved techniques for blood storage and transfusion, saving countless lives.
8. Otis Boykin, inventor of the improved electrical resistor, crucial for pacemakers and other medical devices.
9. Dr. Vivien Thomas, Former Instructor of Surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, who pioneered the Blalock-Thomas-Taussig shunt, a life-saving procedure for “blue baby” syndrome.
10. Kenneth Frazier, Executive Chairman & Former CEO of Merck & Co, known for his leadership in pharmaceuticals and advocacy for social justice.
11. Dr. Patricia Bath, Former Chair of the Ophthalmology Residence Program at UCLA and inventor of the laserphaco probe for cataract surgery and advocate for blindness prevention.
12. Dr. Freda Lewis-Hall, Former Chief Medical Officer at Pfizer, known for her work in patient engagement and health equity.
13. Dr. Emery Brown, Warren M. Zapol Professor of Anesthesia at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, a practicing anesthesiologist and neuroscientist known for his research on the mechanisms of anesthesia.
These are just a few examples of the talented individuals shaping the future of healthcare. Let’s continue to support and uplift the voices and achievements of Black professionals in our industry. Together, we can build a healthier world.
We are excited to feature Executive Vice President, Jim Alexander, a 10-year veteran of retained search with Strawn Arnold with over 30 years in leadership roles in the pharmaceutical industry, academia, and professional organizations.
Jim is proud of his Midwest heritage and is an alumnus of the University of Nebraska where he earned his Doctorate degree in pharmacy. He began his career journey with Warner-Lambert/Parke-Davis moving through leadership roles on the commercial side, eventually rising to Vice President of Corporate Development and Licensing.
Jim moved to academia to become the first Director of the Rutgers Institute for Pharmaceutical Industry Fellowships. During this professionally rewarding 10-year period of his industry-focused career, he was responsible for the administration of the premier Post-Doctoral Fellowship Program for pharmacists and trained, mentored, and helped place hundreds of PharmDs who are now working throughout the entire pharmaceutical/biopharma industry. Jim is also the founder of the Industry Pharmacists Organization, the first professional organization designed exclusively for industry-based pharmacists, which has successfully evolved into a well-known PharmD talent pipeline for the pharmaceutical industry.
Jim entered the field of Executive Search to build on his passion for helping professionals advance their careers. “I really enjoy mentoring professionals, advocating for them, and helping them find the next role in their career progression. I feel fortunate to be working with great clients and the Strawn Arnold team has been an ideal home for my search career activities since the day I joined the firm 10 years ago.”
Jim’s passion for mentoring and his extensive contributions to the pharmaceutical industry have greatly enriched our team and clients. Join us in honoring his outstanding achievements and dedication at Strawn Arnold!
We are happy to announce the placement of André Soresini at Apotex as Vice President, LATAM and Country President, Mexico. André’s exceptional leadership and vision have had a profound impact on the lives of patients across Latin America, inspiring everyone around him.
A big thanks to Apotex for trusting us with your talent needs. We are confident that André will be a valuable asset to your team and contribute significantly to your continued success.
Congratulations, André! Here’s to new beginnings and a bright future ahead!
As we conclude our year-long 50th anniversary celebration, we reflect on the incredible journey that has brought us here. Over the past five decades, Strawn Arnold has been at the forefront of life sciences executive search, connecting visionary companies with transformative leaders.
Our success is a testament to the trust and collaboration of our clients, candidates, and dedicated team of search professionals. Together, we’ve navigated the ever-evolving landscape of life sciences, driven by a shared commitment to innovation, integrity, and excellence.
But this milestone is just the beginning. As we look ahead to the next 50 years, we are more excited than ever about the future. We will continue to leverage our deep industry expertise and unwavering dedication to deliver unparalleled results for our clients, candidates, and the patients they serve.
Thank you for being part of our journey. Here’s to the next 50 years!
We’re hiring a new Generic Pharmaceutical Portfolio Management Leader in United States. Apply today or share with your network.
