S11 E03: Shaping the future of Alzheimer's care: Building a career in neuroscience

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

Brennan Spiegel answers rapid-fire questions about the effects of gravity on the human body and mind. From fatigue to irritable bowel syndrome to mental health, learn why gravity might be one of medicine's most overlooked forces, and how virtual reality is helping researchers study its effects.

In Part 2 of this conversation, Robert Stewart, CEO, Theramex, explains how wider society can improve outcomes for women and reflects on the impact of decades of neglect in the field. Speaker bio Robert Stewart is CEO of Theramex, a global pharma company committed to supporting women's health across contraception, fertility, menopause and osteoporosis. With over 30 years of industry experience, he has held senior leadership roles at Amneal Pharmaceuticals, Allergan and Abbott Laboratories. A passionate advocate for improving representation and access in women's healthcare, Stewart is leading Theramex's mission to empower women through innovative solutions and meaningful change across the heathcare landscape. Follow us on Instagram: @emj.gold

The EMJ GOLD podcast returns. To launch the series, Isabel is joined by Robert Stewart, CEO, Theramex – a global pharmaceutical company solely dedicated to women's health. In Part 1 of this discussion, they unpack what inspired Rob's professional focus in this area and the role men can play in championing women's health. Speaker bio Robert Stewart is CEO of Theramex, a global pharma company committed to supporting women's health across contraception, fertility, menopause and osteoporosis. With over 30 years of industry experience, he has held senior leadership roles at Amneal Pharmaceuticals, Allergan and Abbott Laboratories. A passionate advocate for improving representation and access in women's healthcare, Stewart is leading Theramex's mission to empower women through innovative solutions and meaningful change across the heathcare landscape. Follow us on Instagram: @emj.gold

Tune in as Isabel and Jade analyse the standout moments from EMJ GOLD's guests this season, uncovering the challenges and opportunities shaping today's pharmaceutical industry. From self-advocacy at work and the future of personalised medicine to disease awareness, market access and making your marketing efforts stand out – they explore the season's core themes, all backed by the latest industry data. Watch our featured guest's full episodes: GSK's Dheepa Chari on the evolving sphere of scientific communication Yacin Marzouki on disrupting the traditional omnichannel model BMS' Anita Gandhi on a decade of change in hematology Pfizer's Richard Maughan on the future of access in the UK GSK's Matt Mortimer-Ryan on behaviour-led pharma marketing Chiesi's Shish Patel on COPD, the climate and improving care AbbVie's Dr Daejin Abidoye on community and compassion in cancer care Bayer's Dr Joana Reis on the promise of AI in breast cancer