S08 E02: ViiV Healthcare's Jean-Bernard Simeon on ending the HIV epidemic

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.

  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.

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.

This week, Isabel sits down with Carol Pitcher-Towner, Senior Vice President and Head of Development Programmes, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, to unpack the gender inequities that continue to tarnish modern healthcare. Together, they explore the realities behind unequal outcomes and the steps needed to build a more inclusive future for patients. In Part 1, Carol eveals the personal experiences that made gender inequity impossible to ignore and uncovers where today's biggest gaps still exist. From disease areas where women are routinely misdiagnosed to the persistent blind spots shaping clinical practice, this episode exposes the uncomfortable truths that are still costing lives, and why fixing them can no longer be optional. 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.

In Part 3, Hanna Svanbäck discusses the future of Alzheimer's care over the next five to 10 years, how trial design could be improved and reveals her opinion on the most exciting healthcare innovation on the horizon. Speaker bio Hanna Svanbäck is the Executive Director for Neuroscience, Eli Lilly, overseeing operations in the UK, Ireland and the Nordic countries. Hanna has over 15 years of experience at Lilly and is proud to lead the Neurosciences function given Lilly's long-standing commitment to advancing scientific innovation in this field. Hanna's passion for science and her dedication to utilising innovative approaches to enhance patient care are underpinned by her academic studies in Engineering Genomics and Biotechnology from the University of Umeå, Sweden and University of Manchester. Follow us on Instagram: @emj.gold

In Part 2, Hanna Svanbäck discusses the latest and most significant innovations in Alzheimer's care. She also considers whether healthcare systems are prepared for the anticipated surge in cases, and shares some positive news about prevention.  Speaker bio Hanna Svanbäck is the Executive Director for Neuroscience, Eli Lilly, overseeing operations in the UK, Ireland and the Nordic countries. Hanna has over 15 years of experience at Lilly and is proud to lead the Neurosciences function given Lilly's long-standing commitment to advancing scientific innovation in this field. Hanna's passion for science and her dedication to utilising innovative approaches to enhance patient care are underpinned by her academic studies in Engineering Genomics and Biotechnology from the University of Umeå, Sweden and University of Manchester.

This week, Isabel sits down with Hanna Svanbäck, Executive Director for Neuroscience, Eli Lilly, for an insightful discussion on the evolving landscape of Alzheimer's research. Together, they explore the latest breakthroughs, the challenges ahead and the strategies shaping the future of treatment and prevention. In Part 1 of the conversation, find out about Hanna's journey into neuroscience, her work in Alzheimer's spanning three key markets and how her teams overcome the inevitable hurdles of brain-based drug discovery. Speaker bio Hanna Svanbäck is the Executive Director for Neuroscience, Eli Lilly, overseeing operations in the UK, Ireland and the Nordic countries. Hanna has over 15 years of experience at Lilly and is proud to lead the Neurosciences function given Lilly's long-standing commitment to advancing scientific innovation in this field. Hanna's passion for science and her dedication to utilising innovative approaches to enhance patient care are underpinned by her academic studies in Engineering Genomics and Biotechnology from the University of Umeå, Sweden and University of Manchester.

In Part 3 of the conversation, Giuseppe Savoja, Western Europe Senior Business Director, Cardiac Surgery Business at Medtronic, talks about his outlook for the future of his field, his views on how the industry and clinicians can collaborate more effectively and the healthcare changes he is most excited about. Guest bio Giuseppe Savoja is Senior Business Director for Cardiac Surgery in Western Europe at Medtronic, where he leads the business with a focus on transformation, growth, and patient impact. With 20+ years in the medical device industry and leadership roles across Europe and Asia, he brings a blend of engineering expertise, commercial experience and a passion for developing high-performing teams. Born in Rome and having lived around the world, he's now back in the Italian capital with his family. Outside work, Giuseppe enjoys windsurfing, snowboarding, sailing and motorbiking. Follow us on Instagram: @emj.gold

In Part 2 of the conversation, Giuseppe Savoja, Western Europe Senior Business Director, Cardiac Surgery Business, Medtronic, shares how ECMO has transformed over the decades and explores how clinicians and industry can work together to support the most vulnerable patients in intensive care. Guest bio Giuseppe Savoja is Senior Business Director for Cardiac Surgery in Western Europe at Medtronic, where he leads the business with a focus on transformation, growth, and patient impact. With 20+ years in the medical device industry and leadership roles across Europe and Asia, he brings a blend of engineering expertise, commercial experience and a passion for developing high-performing teams. Born in Rome and having lived around the world, he's now back in the Italian capital with his family. Outside work, Giuseppe enjoys windsurfing, snowboarding, sailing and motorbiking. Follow us on Instagram: @emj.gold

This week, Isabel is joined by Giuseppe Savoja, Western Europe Senior Business Director, Cardiac Surgery Business at Medtronic, for a deep-dive into the evolution and future of ECMO, innovation in critical care and the realities of leading in the MedTech space. In Part 1 of the interview, Giuseppe talks about what attracted him to the medical device industry, what his day-to-day role involves and what advice he would give to anyone considering joining the MedTech sector. Guest bio Giuseppe Savoja is Senior Business Director for Cardiac Surgery in Western Europe at Medtronic, where he leads the business with a focus on transformation, growth, and patient impact. With 20+ years in the medical device industry and leadership roles across Europe and Asia, he brings a blend of engineering expertise, commercial experience and a passion for developing high-performing teams. Born in Rome and having lived around the world, he's now back in the Italian capital with his family. Outside work, Giuseppe enjoys windsurfing, snowboarding, sailing and motorbiking. Follow us on Instagram: @emj.gold