TransCelerate BioPharma announces the addition of Novartis to the biopharmaceutical nonprofit organization, growing the consortium to 19 biopharmaceutical companies. In addition, TransCelerate membership have elected Elliott Levy, M.D., Senior Vice President, Global Development at Amgen as the new Chair of the Board of the Directors and David Nicholson, Ph.D., Executive Vice President, and Chief R&D Officer at Allergan, will assume the Vice Chair role.

TransCelerate CEO, Dalvir Gill, Ph.D., stated, “Our membership is comprised of prominent biopharmaceutical companies that are in active pursuit of solutions that will help simplify and accelerate the research and development of innovative high-quality drugs. The addition of Novartis will further advance the adoption of tangible improvements that foster more efficient and accessible clinical research environments for key stakeholders.”

“Over the last few years, we have observed TransCelerate making significant progress on tackling opportunities within research and development,” said Badhri Srinivasan, Head, Global Development Operations at Novartis and newly appointed member of the TransCelerate Board of Directors. “Novartis has been at the forefront of improving drug development efficiency, and by joining TransCelerate, we can both contribute to and benefit from the collaborative power of this industry-wide organization.”

Dr. Gill went on to note, “I’d like to congratulate Dr. Elliott Levy and Dr. David Nicholson on being elected to their new leadership positions within our organization. We are very excited to work together as we continue to realize improvements across the R&D ecosystem. I also want to thank Dr. Iris Loew-Friedrich for her commitment to TransCelerate’s strategy and efforts as Chair of the Board for the last two years. Throughout her career, Iris has been a champion for innovative solutions that focus on better understanding and enriching the patient experience. TransCelerate has greatly benefitted from her leadership and unwavering support.”

TransCelerate’s former Chair of the Board, Dr. Iris Loew-Friedrich, Executive Vice President, and Chief Medical Officer at UCB, said, "Novartis joining the organization demonstrates our industry’s growing recognition and demand for innovative and collaborative solutions that address the most complex matters related to drug research and development. It has been my honor to serve as Chair of the Board and am looking forward to TransCelerate’s growth in the years to come as I continue to serve on the Board.”