The Mindfulness of Medicine Development: Advancing Treatments Can Transform Patient Outcomes

At Pfizer, we know that breakthroughs aren’t created in a vacuum. Every new discovery, every new medicine and vaccine, is the result of the collaboration of many members of our community, each with their own unique experiences, expertise, and insights. The human element cannot be separated from our work any more than the patient experience can be removed from the outcome.

“The Mindfulness of Medicine Development” series showcases the journeys, experiences, and inspirations of our colleagues, highlighting the key qualities that drive success in pharmaceutical R&D, from discovery through to approval and beyond.

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in the U.S., and John, Executive Director and Clinical Lead at Pfizer, is deeply passionate about advancing treatments that can truly make a difference for patients living with them. In the third installment of “The Mindfulness of Medicine Development,” we meet John and the work that he does to support and advance clinical trials.

As a practicing cardiologist, John was no stranger to the hardships – and at times heartbreaks – that cardiometabolic diseases can present for patients and their families. John keeps the memory of a particular patient, who passed away from heart failure at a young age, at the forefront of his mind, a constant reminder of why he made the leap to pharmaceutical research.

“I think, for me and for many of my Pfizer colleagues, the ‘why’ is always the patient,” John says. “Cardiovascular disease touches the lives of so many people – our friends, our families, ourselves. We come to work every day because we believe what we do in R&D has the potential to help ease that burden.”

In his current role, John brings his extensive expertise and patient-centric mindset to the complex challenges of designing clinical trials for cardiometabolic conditions, including studies evaluating a treatment candidate for cachexia, a life-threatening condition that can affect patients with cancer and other underlying chronic illnesses. He carefully considers the impact on the patient experience, working with a cross-functional team to identify the most meaningful endpoints, select accessible care settings, and respect the time commitment required of both the patient and their caregivers.

Drawing on his past experiences, John’s ultimate goal is to develop new and better treatments that can improve outcomes for patients struggling with cardiometabolic diseases. “There are conditions out there with no currently approved medicines or for which approved medicines are not enough for many patients,” he says.

By keeping the patient at the forefront of his work, John is determined to continue advancing the field of medicine, helping to deliver hope to patients waiting around the world.

Learn more about John and his work in the next installment of “The Mindfulness of Medicine Development”:

Tune in to the full series to hear stories from colleagues across the R&D continuum: The Mindfulness of Medicine Development: How Scientists Are Driving the Next Wave of Medical Innovations