My First Foray into Biopharma
They say sometimes the biggest leaps happen when you least expect them. For me, that leap happened in Las Vegas.
I was at a national sales meeting for Bristol Myers Squibb, doing what we all do at those events, networking, celebrating, planning the next quarter, when a fax came through to my hotel. It was an offer from GelTex Pharmaceuticals, a small but mighty oral polymer company that was, at the time, a wholly owned subsidiary of Genzyme.
I remember standing there thinking, “Wow, this is daring.” I was taking a big swing. But it turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made.
A Whole New World
At GelTex, I joined as Manager of Business Development and New Product Planning. The company had already developed Renagel for chronic kidney disease and Cholestagel for cholesterol management. It was fast-moving, collaborative, and deeply scientific, an entirely new environment for me.
My manager, AJ Fedor, led with a combination of brilliance and kindness. My teammates, Anne Marie and Erin, became partners in learning and laughter. The company was small enough that everyone’s impact was visible, yet ambitious enough to feel like we were part of something truly important.
It was my first real step into biopharma, and with it came three lessons that have stayed with me throughout my career.
Lesson 1: Learn as much as you can from others
AJ recognized early on that while I understood physicians, patients, and payers from my field experience, I was still new to the world of analytics and product planning. Instead of letting me flounder, he took me under his wing. He walked me through the science, introduced me across departments, and encouraged me to take a biopharma “nuts and bolts” course so I could understand the full drug development process.
He also encouraged me to listen before leaping in; to meet people, learn what mattered to them, and see how my work could add value. That foundation shaped how I approach every new role: start with curiosity, not confidence.
When I think about mentorship today, I realize how fortunate I was. Those early lessons reminded me that progress in this industry doesn’t come from any one person. It comes from teams that share knowledge freely and leaders who take the time to teach.
I often wish we still made space for that kind of deliberate development. In today’s fast-paced, siloed world, the simple act of learning from one another might be one of the most powerful tools we have.
Lesson 2: When professional development courses are offered, take them
GelTex was deeply committed to investing in its people, and I was lucky enough to be a beneficiary of that culture.
Back then, we relied heavily on IMS data (now IQVIA) to size markets and inform strategy. The analysis was complex and manual, no automated dashboards in sight, so I was sent to “IMS School” to learn how to do it right.
That training changed everything for me. I learned how to identify the right data sets, build pivot tables in Excel, and translate numbers into stories that could guide business decisions. Barry McGlade, our IMS Salesperson, was extraordinary; patient, clear, and passionate about helping us understand not just how to analyze data, but why it mattered.
And it didn’t stop there. GelTex sent me to regulatory and clinical development programs, business analysis workshops, leadership training, you name it, they encouraged it. Each course gave me new tools, new confidence, and new connections.
At the time, I probably didn’t appreciate how rare that level of investment was. But in hindsight, it taught me the importance of saying yes when growth opportunities come your way. Whether it’s a class, a mentorship program, or a stretch assignment, take it. Those moments compound over time, and the people you meet along the way often become lifelong allies in your professional journey.
Lesson 3: Work the office
This lesson feels particularly relevant now.
GelTex was the first role that required me to drive to an office every day, with a designated workspace and a real commute. Later, when our Waltham team moved to Genzyme’s stunning 12-story headquarters in Kendall Square, my world expanded even further.
Our group sat on the top floor near corporate development, Henri, the leadership team, and the cafeteria, the perfect place to “work the office.” Whenever I had downtime, I’d wander the halls, meet people from different teams, and learn what they were working on.
Over time, I came to know almost everyone in that building. I could tell you which therapeutic area was on which floor. More importantly, I built genuine relationships with colleagues across R&D, clinical, manufacturing, and even at Cambridge Parkway in Oncology!
It wasn’t networking for the sake of it, it was connection through curiosity.
Those face-to-face conversations built trust, collaboration, and a sense of shared purpose that’s hard to replicate in a virtual world. Research continues to support this: in-person interactions foster creativity, innovation, and stronger professional relationships. But honestly, I didn’t need research to tell me that. I lived it.
When I think about our current shift back to hybrid work, I often reflect on that time at Genzyme. The office wasn’t just where I did my job, it was where I became part of something bigger than myself.
Looking Back
Starting at GelTex was my first true foray into biopharma, and it was nothing short of transformative. It stretched me, grounded me, and reminded me that growth often comes from daring decisions.
If I could pass along one message from that chapter, it would be this: Be curious. Keep learning. And never underestimate the power of people and place.
Because sometimes, the “daring move” that feels like a leap of faith turns out to be the start of everything that follows.