Medicine Maker Journal published the 2017 Power List, where “we’ve divided our Top 100 into four categories, each made up of 25 outstanding professionals – and each with its own Top Ten.”
Two Greeks, Nicholas A. Peppas and John E. Bournas, are among the first 10 into their categories of the “100 fantastic individuals involved in bettering the pharma industry and bringing life-changing medicines to market.”
#5 Nicholas A. Peppas
Professor and Director of the Institute for Biomaterials, Drug Delivery and Regenerative Medicine, The University of Texas at Austin.
Passion
“What is my passion? First, developing new therapeutic systems based on proteins to treat patients suffering from diabetes, autoimmune diseases and gastrointestinal diseases. Second, developing new patented technologies for the treatment of disease through the identification of potential biomarkers.”
Pivotal moment
“The announcement of the first heart transplantation by Christiaan Barnard at the Groote Sure in Cape Town, South Africa, on December 5, 1967 was an important moment for me – since it affected my career choice. And of course, the development of an “intelligent” polymer (hydrogel) carrier based on a response to external physiological conditions, in my lab in December 1976.”
Change
“I would like to see more support for early efforts to create new treatments, techniques and methods for diseases by spending ‘seed funds’ for these new ideas. In recent years, the pharmaceutical industry has become too conservative in funding new solutions.”
#7 John E. Bournas
President and Chief Executive Officer, International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE).
John is in responsible for developing ISPE’s global initiatives and business operations, including leveraging technology to extend the reach of ISPE’s Membership, educational and training programs.
He also leads the organizational efforts in solidifying working relationships with international regulators and spearheads important global initiatives, such as the Drug Shortages Prevention Plan. Previously, John was the CEO and Executive Director of the World Federation of Hemophilia.
He was also a Senior Director of International Affairs at the American College of Cardiology, the largest global professional society for cardiologists.
The list contains “masters of the Bench – scientists and researchers whose late-night lab work lays the foundations for new therapeutics. Industry influencers – individuals who drive industry best practices and regulations, as well as new manufacturing techniques and technologies. Business Captains – leaders and entrepreneurs who turn scientific ideas into marketable medicines. Champions of Change – patrons of the industry who are striving to make the world a better place by getting medicines to those who need them the most.”
Source: thenationalherald.com