Suzy Velazquez
Naperville,IL
Summary
A dynamic and award-winning bio-pharmaceutical commercial leader with a relentless drive to develop blockbuster brands and franchises. Proven track record of achieving exceptional results in small biotech and large pharma companies across diverse therapeutic areas and reimbursement models throughout the product lifecycle. Experienced in successfully launching injectable and infused medicines in various markets, including Rare Disease, Nephrology, Immunology, Neurology, Ophthalmology, Oncology, Hematology, Gastroenterology, Rheumatology, Dermatology, Endocrinology, Vaccine, and Cardiology.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director, Thought Leader Liaison (TLL)
Travere Therapeutics
07.2023 - Current
- Delivered a keynote presentation at the Thought Leader Liaison Engagement Summit for an audience of 90 pharmaceutical TLL professionals and served as conference co-chair
- Designed and implemented a national Key Opinion Leader (KOL) engagement strategy for FILSPARI ®(sparsentan), resulting in a 205% increase in commercial KOL writers and deeper alignment with commercial objectives
- Conducted in-depth analysis of KOL sentiments, regularly providing actionable insights to the brand team, driving a significant increase in brand champions from 4% to 42% among targeted KOLs
- Pioneered innovative Thought Leader Liaison-led programs, including Clinical Journal Reviews, Roundtables, and Consult-on-Demand sessions, elevating thought leadership engagement and best practices
- Led the orchestration and execution of advisory boards and commercial steering committees, gathering critical feedback to inform brand strategy and positioning
- Spearheaded KOL engagement at medical congresses, managed a 50-person speaker bureau, and ensured the effectiveness of speaker programs, product theaters, and exhibitor sponsorships
- Mentored and trained a team of TLLs, fostering an inspiring atmosphere to optimize employee experiences.
Director, Marketing Biosimilars
Fresenius Kabi
09.2022 - 07.2023
- Spearheaded development and implementation of global brand strategy, including positioning, messaging, and core materials for Rituximab, Ustekinumab, & Denosumab throughout their lifecycle
- Coordinated cross-functional teams to ensure seamless execution of integrated marketing programs
- Managed a high-performing marketing team, ensuring alignment with overall business objectives
- Analyzed market trends and competitor activities, informing data-driven decision-making for marketing initiatives
- Oversaw the selection and management of external agencies to support creative execution and media buying efforts
- Mentored junior team members, fostering professional growth and skill development within the department.
Director, Brand Marketing Neuroimmunology
Horizon Therapeutics
02.2021 - 04.2022
- Led integration of Viela Bio and acquisition of UPLIZNA; successfully re-positioned, re-branded, and re-launched UPLIZNA as Horizon asset in 6 months; increased unaided awareness from 35% to 50% in the first quarter of launch
- Designed and implemented a Strategic Marketing Liaison program leveraging a unique KOL ID/Mapping platform and drove a 3-fold increase in KOL adoption
- Responsible for the professional development of 6 marketers, effectively leading multiple reporting layers in both medical and HCP marketing, resulting in 2 direct report team promotions
- Leading annual global brand budget of $21 Million plan among the cross-functional matrix team to help drive profitability and prepare for EMEA and LATAM launches
- Launched a disease awareness campaign in collaboration with the NMOSD advocacy community
- Contributed to launch readiness strategy for pipeline indications, myasthenia gravis, Igg4-related disease
- Developed high-performing teams by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Enhanced team collaboration through regular communication, goal setting, and performance evaluations.
Associate Director, Marketing-TEPEZZA
Horizon Therapeutics
08.2020 - 02.2021
- Led the HCP promotional marketing team of 3 to develop HCP programs, which resulted in $1.072 billion in TEPEZZA® business
- Expanded the utilization of TEPEZZA® among Ophthalmologists and Endocrinologists for Thyroid Eye Disease
- Developed a referral strategy targeting endocrinologists, leading to the launch of a new disease awareness campaign https://www.tedimpact.com/
- Partnered with the digital marketing team to create and execute a digital promotional strategy and execution by specialty that supports the ecosystem business model
- Launched TEPEZZA® ExpertCast Program and achieved 82% aided awareness, showing an increase of 68% before the campaign
- Fostered a culture of continuous improvement by encouraging staff to share innovative ideas and providing resources for professional development
Associate Director Marketing
Dynavax Technologies
02.2020 - 08.2020
- Responsible for leading the development and implementation of critical programs for the HEPLISAV-B franchise
- Supported all Professional, Institutional, and Retail promotional strategy development for the brand
- Developed personal and non-personal resources and materials to help the adoption within various customer segments such as IDNs, Retail Pharmacy, Public Clinics, and Hospitals
- Led thought leader and advocacy engagement strategy to adopt a universal vaccination policy vs risk-based policy
Associate Director Marketing, Neurology
Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals/Questcor
01.2012 - 01.2016
- Led the brand strategy and execution of H.P Acthar Gel Neurology franchise indications: Infantile Spasms, Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Relapses, Optic Neuritis, Dermatomyositis, Polymyositis
- Led and coached a marketing team of 6 ( 3 regional marketers, 3 brand team) through the acquisition and integration
- Oversaw annual budget planning processes, ensuring financial goals were met while maintaining optimal resource allocation across departments.
- Fostered a culture of continuous improvement by encouraging staff to share innovative ideas and providing resources for professional development.
- Built, implemented, and enhanced national marketing initiatives to maximize outreach and sales, resulting in 27% growth in the MS Relapse KOL market segment
Education
BA - BIOLOGY, Minor Biochemistry
Hope College
Skills
- Strategic Marketing
- Thought Leader Engagement
- Commercial Strategy Development
- Speaker Bureau Management
- Advisory Board Management
- Launch Excellence
- New Product Planning
- Medical Education
- Global Product Marketing
- Organizational Change Management
- High-Performing Team Leadership
- Strengths-Based Coaching
- Strategic Planning
Top Strengths
- MAXIMIZER
- FUTURISTIC
- LEARNER
- ACHIEVER
- INDIVIDUALIZATION
Accomplishments
•2023-24 RARE Awards (3), Travere Therapeutics
•2022-23 Newcomer Values Enthusiast, Fresenius Kabi
•2021 Presidents Club, Horizon Therapeutics
•2021 Eagle Leadership Award, Horizon Therapeutics
•ELITE 2021 Marketing Team, TEPEZZA Team, PM360
•2020 Leader of the Year Nominee, Horizon Therapeutics
•2019 Living the Vision Award, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals
•2018 Living the Vision Award, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals
•2017 MVP Award, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals
•2016 Marketing Excellence, Dynavax Technologies
•2011 Star Leadership Award, Novartis Pharmaceuticals
•2011 Presidents Club, Novartis Pharmaceuticals
•2010 Presidents Club, Bayer Pharmaceuticals
•2007 National Sales Leadership Award, Bayer Pharmaceuticals
•2005 District Sales Leadership Award, Bayer Pharmaceuticals
•2003 Rookie of the Year, Bayer Pharmaceuticals
•2001 Employee of The Year, Stryker Instruments
Certification
- Gallup Strengths- Based Coach
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Director, Thought Leader Liaison (TLL)
Travere Therapeutics
07.2023 - Current
Director, Marketing Biosimilars
Fresenius Kabi
09.2022 - 07.2023
Director, Brand Marketing Neuroimmunology
Horizon Therapeutics
02.2021 - 04.2022
Associate Director, Marketing-TEPEZZA
Horizon Therapeutics
08.2020 - 02.2021
Associate Director Marketing
Dynavax Technologies
02.2020 - 08.2020
Associate Director Marketing, Neurology
Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals/Questcor
01.2012 - 01.2016
BA - BIOLOGY, Minor Biochemistry
Hope College
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