Virtual Press Briefing following the Global COVID-19 Vaccine Supply Chain & Manufacturing Summit

Dr. Richard Hatchett

Chief Executive Officer, Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI)

Richard J. Hatchett, MD, is Chief Executive Officer of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), a partnership of public, private, philanthropic and civil organizations that will finance and co-ordinate the development of vaccines against high priority public health threats and vaccine platform technologies to respond rapidly to emerging infectious diseases with pandemic or epidemic potential.

Prior to joining CEPI, Dr. Hatchett most recently served as acting Director of the U.S. Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), after serving for five years as BARDA’s Chief Medical Officer and Deputy Director. At BARDA, Dr. Hatchett oversaw programs to develop medical countermeasures against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats, pandemic influenza, and emerging infectious diseases and led or helped lead the development of vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics for a number of emerging viruses, including the H3N2v and H7N9 influenza viruses, MERS, Ebola, and Zika. Previously, Dr. Hatchett served on the White House Homeland Security Council under President George W. Bush and was a member of the White House National Security Staff under President Barack Obama. He is a recipient of the HHS Secretary’s Award for Distinguished Service and a five-time recipient of the NIH Director’s Merit Award.

A graduate of Vanderbilt University and the Vanderbilt University Medical School, he completed a residency in internal medicine at the New York Hospital – Cornell Medical Center and a fellowship in medical oncology at Duke University Medical Center.

Emma Ross

Senior Research Fellow, Global Health Programme

Emma Ross has written for and advised the programme on strategy and communications since 2010 and is also managing editor of the Control of Communicable Diseases Manual – a leading reference book on infectious diseases for public health specialists and epidemiologists that is updated on a rolling basis.

In addition, she works as a strategic communications specialist, writer and editor with non-profit organizations involved in medical research, public health or global health, to support them in developing and articulating their messages and work, and in managing reputation-sensitive issues.

Prior to this, she was a long-time medical correspondent at the Associated Press until 2006, guiding the world’s largest news organization’s coverage of health news coming out of Europe, Africa and Asia.

She was on the frontline of many of the major international health stories, including outbreaks such as SARS and H5N1 Avian flu, global health challenges and debates in public health policy and medical ethics.

After her time at the AP, Emma went on to the World Health Organization headquarters in Geneva as news team leader to advise the director-general and head news operations there, before returning to London.

She has a master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University in the United States.

Thomas Cueni

Director General, International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA)

Thomas B. Cueni is Director General of International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers (IFPMA), the global association of research-based pharmaceutical companies and associations. Based in Geneva, IFPMA has official relations with the United Nations and contributes industry expertise to help the global health community find solutions that improve global health. Mr. Cueni is Secretary of the Biopharmaceutical CEO Roundtable (BCR), a policy forum of the global CEOs of IFPMA member companies. He is also Chair of the Business at OECD Health Committee, and also serves on the Board of Directors of the City Cancer Challenge (CCan), an initiative aiming to improve cancer care in major cities in low- and middle-income countries. In addition, Mr. Cueni serves as Industry Co-Chair of the APEC Biopharmaceutical Working Group on Ethics and Chair of the Board of the cross-sectoral AMR Industry Alliance, a group comprising more than 100 companies and associations representing Rx pharma, generics, biotech, and diagnostics committed to tackling the threat of antimicrobial resistance.

Prior to joining IFPMA he was Secretary General of Interpharma, the association of pharmaceutical research companies in Switzerland, and for many years was a member of the Board and Chair of a key committee of the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations. Prior to his appointment with Interpharma, Mr. Cueni had a career as a journalist, inter alia as London correspondent for the “Basler Zeitung” and “Der Bund”, and he served as a Swiss career diplomat with postings in Paris (OECD) and Vienna (IAEA, UNIDO). Mr Cueni studied economics and politics from University of Basle, the London School of Economics, and the Geneva Graduate Institute for International Studies.

Phyllis Arthur

Vice President, Infectious Diseases and Diagnostics Policy, BIOTECHNOLOGY INNOVATION ORGANIZATION

Phyllis is Vice President, Infectious Diseases and Diagnostics Policy at BIO. In this role, she is responsible for working with member companies in vaccines, molecular diagnostics, and bio-defense on policy, legislative, and regulatory issues. Phyllis joined BIO in July 2009 as the Director of Healthcare Regulatory Affairs.

Prior to joining BIO, she worked in numerous marketing and sales positions for Merck & Co., Inc in their vaccine division. Over her 16 year career, she has launched several exciting new vaccines in the United States and internationally, including the first HPV vaccine GARDASIL. During her years in marketing, she worked closely with clinical and academic thought leaders in infectious diseases, oncology, and public health. In addition, she also led a large vaccine sales organization of over 75 representatives and managers, covering 14 states. Phyllis received her bachelor’s degree in economics and international politics from Goucher College and her M.B.A. from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.

Rasmus Bech Hansen

CEO & Founder Airfinity Rasmus

Rasmus is a globally recognised expert on scientific information and knowledge dissemination. He spent his earlier career as a Fortune500 strategist. Rasmus is a strong believer in the power of accurate information and new ideas - he founded his first, short lived, newspaper at the age of 13 - a passion that drove him to found Airfinity. As CEO of Airfinity he is often quoted in leading media companies such as Financial times, Bloomberg and CNN. He is a board member of the newspaper group, Information.dk. Ramus holds a B.Sc. in Political Science, a MPA from Harvard University and is a recipient of the Crown Prince Frederic award for excellent scholarship. He lives in London.

Sai Prasad

President, Quality Operations, Bharat Biotech International

Sai Prasad is the President of Quality Operations at Bharat Biotech International Ltd. In his current role, he oversees all aspects of quality management including quality assurance, control, and management systems and is responsible for product development and commercialisation of vaccines and biologics. He has 25 years of experience in management, biotechnology, good manufacturing practice, operations and quality management.
Previously, Mr Prasad was the Director of Molecular Otolaryngology Research Laboratories at the University of Iowa (USA). In his previous role, as the Vice President for Business Development and Corporate Strategy at Bharat Biotech International Ltd, he handled operational and strategic activities ranging from product development, innovation to corporate expansion.
He holds a degree in Biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin (USA) and an MBA in Finance and Marketing from the University of Iowa (USA). He has written more than a dozen publications related to human genetics, cell biology, molecular biology and vaccines.

Rajinder Kumar Suri

Chief Executive Officer, Developing Countries Vaccine Manufacturers’ Network (DCVMN)

Rajinder Kumar Suri joined Developing Countries Vaccine Manufacturers’ Network, DCVMN as CEO w.e.f. Jan 15th, 2021.

Before this he was donning the hat of Chief Executive-Biologicals, Panacea Biotec Ltd. a leading Indian Biotech Company.

Rajinder has over 40 years of rich experience in Pharmaceuticals & Biological products in India & International markets out of which over 24 years’ experience at the top management level including four years on the Board of Directors of the Indian subsidiary of Sanofi Pasteur. The remaining 19 years being with Pharma out of which 16 years with Lupin, one of top 10 Indian Pharma Companies.

Mr Suri brings with him over 3 years of consulting experience as CEO & Senior Advisor, Arete Business Advisors.

Rajinder has been Member-Policy & Planning Committee (PPC), an advisory body to GAVI Board, representing DCVMN from October 2013 till June 2017, as also a Member of GAVI Steering Committee for Supply & Procurement Strategy. He has played a lead role in negotiations & interactions with Ministry of Health, Government of India, UN agencies and other Global organizations like WHO, UNICEF, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Clinton Health Access Initiative & several others.
Rajinder is a former Member Executive Committee & Vice-President, DCVMN for a period of two years from Oct.2014-Oct.2016.