Pharmaceuticals
10 medical affairs experts
These ten professionals have led medical affairs at pharmaceutical and biotech companies, with titles such as Head of Medical Affairs and SVP, Head of Medical Affairs. A reader can learn how drug companies build and run their medical affairs teams.
Professionals to explore
01—10Elizabeth A. Pappadopulos
LinkedInExperience: VP, Head of Medical Affairs - Psychiatry · Bristol Meyers Squibb
VP, Head of Medical Affairs - Psychiatry at Bristol Meyers Squibb since May 2026. Former CNS Therapeutic Area Lead - Psychiatry at AbbVie (2024–2026), Executive Director Medical Affairs - Neurology at Eisai US (2021–2024) and Global Lead Medical Affairs - CNS at Pfizer (2014–2021). The profile lists therapeutic area expertise in CNS, rare and chronic diseases.
Ellen Shannon PhD, RN, MSL-BC
LinkedInExperience: US Head of Medical Affairs · Valneva
Former US Head of Medical Affairs at Valneva (2019–2024) and Regional Director- US Medical Science Liaison Team at Sanofi (2014–2019). Senior Director Medical Affairs at Vaxcyte since April 2026. The profile says the person has built medical affairs functions from the ground up more than once and cites over two decades bridging clinical practice and pharmaceutical medical strategy.
Eric Beresford, PharmD, BCMAS
LinkedInExperience: VP, Head of Medical Affairs · Nobelpharma America, LLC
Former VP, Head of Medical Affairs at Nobelpharma America, LLC (2020–2024); the profile notes a successful product launch of HYFTOR (sirolimus topical gel) 0.2% under this role. Other listed roles include Director Medical Affairs - Rare Diseases at Liminal BioSciences (2017–2020) and Sr Global Medical Affairs Leader - Immunology & Inflammation at AstraZeneca (2014–2016).
Jeffrey Kent, MD
LinkedInExperience: Senior Vice President, Head of Medical Affairs & Outcomes Research · Horizon
Former Senior Vice President, Head of Medical Affairs & Outcomes Research at Horizon (2012–2019) and Executive Vice President, Medical Affairs and Outcomes Research at Horizon (2019–2023). Executive Vice President, Head of Medical Affairs at Monopar Therapeutics Inc. since August 2026, and former Chief Medical Officer at Sling Therapeutics (2023–2026).
Jessica Nora
LinkedInExperience: SVP, Head of Medical Affairs · Vertex Pharmaceuticals
SVP, Head of Medical Affairs at Vertex Pharmaceuticals since August 2024. Former Head of Business Transformation and Planning at AstraZeneca (2023–2024) and Vice President, Head of Product and Portfolio Strategy at BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (2020–2022). The profile summary cites a track record of overseeing teams, developing and launching products and building cross-functional organizations.
Joshua Bryson
LinkedInExperience: Head of US Medical Affairs and Evidence Generation · argenx
Head of US Medical Affairs and Evidence Generation at argenx since December 2024. Former Vice President, Head of US Medical Immunology (2023–2025) and Executive Director, Sotyktu (deucravacitinib) US Medical Lead (2021–2023) at Bristol Myers Squibb. The profile cites 13+ years of experience in medical strategy, life cycle management and late phase studies for immunology indications.
Murali Gopal, M.D.
LinkedInExperience: Senior Vice President, Head of Medical Affairs · Ardelyx, Inc.
Senior Vice President, Head of Medical Affairs at Ardelyx, Inc. since August 2025, a role the profile describes as setting all Medical Affairs strategies and managing all Medical Affairs initiatives in support of development and commercial programs. Former Vice President, Head - Medical Affairs at Phathom Pharmaceuticals (2022–2025) and Chief Medical Officer at Indivior (2021).
Paul D. Walden
LinkedInExperience: Head of Medical Affairs · PharmaEssentia
Former Head of Medical Affairs at PharmaEssentia (2024–2025), where the profile describes directing teams for scientific communications, medical information, health economic outcomes research, real-world evidence generation and publications. Other listed roles include VP Medical Affairs at Celltrion Inc (2023–2024) and VP, Medical Affairs at Coherus Oncology (2022–2023).
Robert Stevens, PharmD
LinkedInExperience: Vice President and Head, Medical Affairs · Seres Therapeutics
Former Vice President and Head, Medical Affairs at Seres Therapeutics (2021–2025) and Executive Director, Medical Affairs there (2020–2021). Other listed roles include Senior Director, Medical Affairs at Nabriva Therapeutics plc (2019–2020) and Senior Director, Medical Affairs at Achaogen (2017–2018). The profile summary cites a record of advancing evidence-based strategy across the biopharmaceutical industry.
Sarah Rybowski
LinkedInExperience: Head of Global US Medical Affairs Oncology (Breast franchise) · Eli Lilly and Company
Former Head of Global US Medical Affairs Oncology (Breast franchise) at Eli Lilly and Company (2021–2024) and US Medical Lead, Global Medical Affairs Oncology there (2019–2021). VP Global Medical Strategy, Scientific Communications and Publications at Insmed Incorporated since March 2024. The profile describes a 15+ year history of defining and executing strategic vision, medical oversight and product launches.
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's company size and stage to yours, since building medical affairs for a first launch at a small biotech is a different job from running one franchise inside a large drug company. Also ask which therapeutic areas the person has worked in, because field medical models and evidence needs vary a lot between areas.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How far ahead of launch should a company start building medical affairs, and in what order should it hire?
- 02How do you keep medical affairs work scientifically independent while still supporting the commercial team?
- 03Which evidence generation investments after approval made the biggest difference for a product you supported?
Reaching medical affairs experts
How can I contact one of these medical affairs experts?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 10 companies, including Bristol Meyers Squibb; Valneva and Nobelpharma America, LLC, based on profile data retrieved on October 3, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach medical affairs experts?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. It includes Instant Expert's 20% fee, so an offer that pays the person $100 costs you $125. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
You pay nothing. Instant Expert sends follow-up reminders, and if the person hasn't booked or answered within 7 days, the request expires and any hold on your card is released. You can invite several of the 10 people on this list at once and cap your total spend, so you pay only for the ones who accept.
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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