EMJ GOLD: Pharma news, views and analysis

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324

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Aug 2026

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About the show

Join the EMJ GOLD team for a weekly exploration of all things pharma, featuring thought-provoking conversations, insightful interviews with high-profile industry guests and discussions about the latest trends and innovations taking the pharmaceutical sphere by storm. Whether its marketing, medical affairs, the use of digital techniques to create patient-centric approaches or something in between, there's something here for anyone interested in the pharmaceutical industry.

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60 recent

August 5, 2026Episode 436 min

S12 E04: Richard Shotton on behaviour, bias and better pharma marketing

In this episode, Isabel sits down with Richard Shotton, founder of Astroten and author of Hacking the Human Mind , to explore how behavioral science can help the pharmaceutical industry communicate more effectively and influence meaningful change. In the show, Richard explains why understanding what really drives human behaviour matters more than relying on what people say. He discusses the power of social proof, trusted messengers and concrete storytelling, and shares why making the right behaviour easier can have a greater impact than simply making a stronger argument. Guest bio Richard Shotton is a behavioural science expert, author, and founder of Astroten, a consultancy that helps organisations apply behavioural science to improve marketing effectiveness. He has worked with leading global brands including Google, Mondelez, Sky, and Santander, and is the author of bestselling books including The Choice Factory , The Illusion of Choice , and Hacking the Human Mind . Richard is also a regular columnist for Marketing Week , co-host of the Behavioral Science for Brands podcast, and an honorary fellow of the IPA.

June 22, 2026Episode 321 min

S12 E03: Rafal Kaminski on epilepsy, innovation and equity

This content has been funded by Angelini Pharma . In this episode, Isabel sits down with Rafal Kaminski, Chief Scientific Officer, Angelini Pharma, to explore how new science is reshaping brain health and what that means for patients. In the episode, Rafal reflects on his path into neuroscience and explains how Angelini is building its brain health pipeline, with a focus on epilepsy. He discusses the promise of new treatment approaches, the role of partnerships in driving progress and why better care depends on more than medicine alone. Guest bio Rafal Kaminski is Chief Scientific Officer at Angelini Pharma, where he leads the company's research and development strategy across small molecules, biologics and RNA-based therapies. He joined Angelini Pharma in 2022 after more than 20 years in senior R&D roles at UCB Pharma, Roche and Molecure Therapeutics, leading drug discovery programmes from early research into clinical development. A medical doctor with a PhD in Neuropharmacology, Rafal has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and is an inventor on several patents. Outside of work, he is an avid music listener and vinyl collector and is married with one adult son.

March 26, 2026Episode 27 min

S12 E02: Rethinking multiple sclerosis care: The future of MS

In Part 3, Hideki Garren, Roche, shares a hopeful vision for slowing, stopping and ultimately preventing multiple sclerosis. Guest bio Hideki Garren is Senior Vice President and Global Head of Clinical Development, Neurology, Roche, appointed in September 2024. He brings extensive leadership experience across biotech and pharma, including senior roles at Roche, where he led global neuroimmunology development. Prior to this, Hideki served as Chief Medical Officer at Prothena Biosciences and held board and leadership roles at Coya Therapeutics, Novartis, and Bayhill Therapeutics, which he co-founded. He completed his neurology residency and postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford University, where he also served as an adjunct clinical professor. Hideki holds a bachelor's degree from Caltech and an MD and PhD from UCLA.

March 24, 2026Episode 26 min

S12 E02: Rethinking multiple sclerosis care: Challenging old frameworks

In Part 2, Hideki Garren, Roche, discusses the challenge of measuring MS progression and the importance of better data, imaging and patient insight. Guest bio Hideki Garren is Senior Vice President and Global Head of Clinical Development, Neurology, Roche, appointed in September 2024. He brings extensive leadership experience across biotech and pharma, including senior roles at Roche, where he led global neuroimmunology development. Prior to this, Hideki served as Chief Medical Officer at Prothena Biosciences and held board and leadership roles at Coya Therapeutics, Novartis, and Bayhill Therapeutics, which he co-founded. He completed his neurology residency and postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford University, where he also served as an adjunct clinical professor. Hideki holds a bachelor's degree from Caltech and an MD and PhD from UCLA.

March 23, 2026Episode 27 min

S12 E02: Rethinking multiple sclerosis care: From curiosity to care

This week, Isabel sits down with Hideki Garren, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Clinical Development, Neurology, Roche, to explore how our understanding of multiple sclerosis is changing and what that means for patients. *]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id= "request-WEB:a4937816-0c47-4273-9d15-60c7d4caba77-4" data-testid= "conversation-turn-10" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> In Part 1, Hideki reflects on his path into neurology and explores the shift in how multiple sclerosis is understood, from relapses to ongoing progression. Guest bio Hideki Garren is Senior Vice President and Global Head of Clinical Development, Neurology, Roche, appointed in September 2024. He brings extensive leadership experience across biotech and pharma, including senior roles at Roche, where he led global neuroimmunology development. Prior to this, Hideki served as Chief Medical Officer at Prothena Biosciences and held board and leadership roles at Coya Therapeutics, Novartis, and Bayhill Therapeutics, which he co-founded. He completed his neurology residency and postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford University, where he also served as an adjunct clinical professor. Hideki holds a bachelor's degree from Caltech and an MD and PhD from UCLA.

February 19, 2026Episode 17 min

S12 E01: The 2026 pharma forecast: Unknowns and personal goals

In Part 2 of the 2026 pharma forecast, the guests discuss the biggest unknowns for the year ahead and share a personal goal they're working towards in 2026. Speaker bios Dheepa Chari Vice President and Head of Global Scientific Communications, GSK Dheepa leads strategy and execution across oncology, vaccines, specialty care and general medicine, driving innovation in how scientific narratives are delivered. Emma Charles Senior Vice President of European Markets, BMS Emma oversees Bristol Myers Squibb's operations across 19 countries of Europe, bringing extensive global leadership experience spanning Europe, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. Yacin Marzouki Omnichannel expert Within the pharmaceutical sector, Yacin specialises in shaping seamless customer journeys, driving content activation and aligning global strategies with local execution. Mary Stutts CEO, Healthcare Businesswomen's Association Mary leads a global organisation that advances representative leadership, strengthens the talent pipeline for healthcare and life sciences, and fuels business growth across the sector.

February 17, 2026Episode 16 min

S12 E01: The 2026 pharma forecast: Opportunities and threats

As 2026 gets underway, healthcare and life sciences face a year of both promise and pressure, with investment, innovation and equity all in sharp focus. In Part 1 of this year's pharma forecast, four leaders explore where real opportunity lies, from health investment to personalisation and women's health, alongside the key threats that could slow progress. Speaker bios Dheepa Chari Vice President and Head of Global Scientific Communications, GSK Dheepa leads strategy and execution across oncology, vaccines, specialty care and general medicine, driving innovation in how scientific narratives are delivered. Emma Charles Senior Vice President of European Markets, BMS Emma oversees BMS operations across 19 countries, bringing extensive global leadership experience spanning Europe, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. Mary Stutts CEO, Healthcare Businesswomen's Association Mary leads a global organisation advancing the impact of women in healthcare, and is a prominent advocate for inclusive leadership, representative workforces and health equity.

December 23, 2025Episode 516 min

S11 E05: Pharma's year in review 2025

This week, Isabel brings together three expert voices for an end-of-year round-up, reflecting on the moments that shaped healthcare and life sciences in 2025. Joined by Jonathan Sackier, Chairman, Medical Advisory Board, EMJ, Hanna Svanbäck, Executive Director for Neuroscience, Eli Lilly, and omnichannel expert Yacin Marzouki, the conversation looks back on a year defined by both disruption and progress. Across the episode, the contributors share their perspectives on the biggest setbacks and standout successes of the past 12 months, from regulatory uncertainty and access challenges to collaboration, innovation and scientific momentum. They also reflect on the lessons 2025 has taught them, and what those insights mean for patients, industry and the year ahead. Speaker bios Hanna Svanbäck Executive Director for Neuroscience, Eli Lilly With over 15 years at Eli Lilly, Hanna leads Neuroscience operations across the UK, Ireland and the Nordics, driving scientific innovation and patient-centred research. Jonathan Sackier Chairman, Medical Advisory Board, EMJ Jonathan is a surgeon by training and a founding partner of many start-ups in the medical technology space, as well as being the creator of the world's first operating room robot. Yacin Marzouki Omnichannel expert Within the pharmaceutical sector, Yacin specialises in shaping seamless customer journeys, driving content activation and aligning global strategies with local execution.

December 5, 2025Episode 412 min

S11 E04: The gender health divide: Driving change

In Part 3, Carol Pitcher-Towner, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, explores how the pharmaceutical industry can become part of the solution. She highlights why leadership diversity matters, how trial design still excludes too many women and why embedding sex- and gender-aware science from day one could accelerate fairer, more effective care for everyone. Speaker bio Carol Pitcher-Towner is Senior Vice President and Head of Development Programs at Alnylam Pharmaceuticals. Since joining the company in 2014 as one of its first European regulatory leaders, she has gone on to oversee patient safety, risk management and Alnylam's global development portfolio. With more than 20 years of experience, including roles at AstraZeneca, Carol brings deep expertise across regulatory affairs and clinical development. She holds a PhD in Biological Sciences from the University of Warwick and was named an HBA Luminary in 2022 for her commitment to inclusive, patient-focused innovation. This content was reviewed by Alnylam UK Ltd for compliance with regulations applicable to the pharmaceutical industry only.

December 4, 2025Episode 416 min

S11 E04: The gender health divide: Bias in practice

In Part 2, Carol Pitcher-Towner, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, breaks down the systemic forces driving inequity, from diagnostic bias to the lack of women in key specialties like cardiology, and explains how historical clinical trial exclusion continues to skew the science. Discover why representation isn't just a workforce issue: it's a scientific necessity, and the first barrier we must dismantle to ensure better care for everyone. Speaker bio Carol Pitcher-Towner is Senior Vice President and Head of Development Programs at Alnylam Pharmaceuticals. Since joining the company in 2014 as one of its first European regulatory leaders, she has gone on to oversee patient safety, risk management and Alnylam's global development portfolio. With more than 20 years of experience, including roles at AstraZeneca, Carol brings deep expertise across regulatory affairs and clinical development. She holds a PhD in Biological Sciences from the University of Warwick and was named an HBA Luminary in 2022 for her commitment to inclusive, patient-focused innovation. This content was reviewed by Alnylam UK Ltd for compliance with regulations applicable to the pharmaceutical industry only.