The Medical Affairs Professional Society (MAPS), the premier non-profit global society of Medical Affairs professionals, is honored to announce the election of Mónica de Abadal, VP Medical Excellence, Global Medical Affairs at Ipsen, as MAPS President of the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) Region. Recently, Dr. de Abadal served as the EMEA 2019 Annual Meeting Co-Chair and was Co-Lead of the Medical Strategy & Launch Excellence Focus Area Working Group. She brings more than 18 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry.
“Our industry, like many, has seen dramatic change due to the pandemic. My goal as MAPS President of the EMEA Region is to help our members and other Medical Affairs professionals realize the opportunities, the innovation and the responsibilities presented by this time of challenge,” de Abadal says.
Dr. de Abadal has experience in multiple therapeutic areas, including oncology, endocrinology and movement disorders as well as operational and strategic Medical Affairs experience in diverse disciplines of Medical Affairs and product commercialization, such as medical strategy, leading compliance and SOP/policy efforts, quality management systems, data generation, field-based medical teams (MSLs), medical information, safety, medical communications and publications, as well as building and leading local and global teams. Additionally, Dr. de Abadal is currently deeply involved in a medical trasformation exercise that aims to strengthen Ipsen’s medical and scientific profile with a view to bringing measurable improvements to patients’ lives and healthcare professionals’ experiences.
Dr. de Abadal holds a medical degree from the Autonomus University of Barcelona and a postgraduate diploma in pharmaceutical medicine from the University of Barcelona. She trained as a resident in anesthesiology at the Hospital Vall d´Hebron (Barcelona). Additionally, Dr. de Abadal completed the accreditation of her medical degree in the United States and obtained a Master’s in public healthcare administration from the University of San Francisco. She served as a board member in companies specialized in telemedicine and has international Medical Affairs experience in Europe, APAC (Australia) and global positions, including deputy Chief Medical Officer and Global Head of Publications.
“I am honored to see Mónica succeed me in this position. I have experienced the excellence of her work and am confident that Mónica will do a wonderful job elevating the Medical Affairs function within the EMEA Region,” says Danie du Plessis, EVP Medical Affairs at Kyowa Kirin International and outgoing MAPS EMEA Region President.
Dr. de Abadal will guide the growth of the Medical Affairs function in the EMEA region and collaborate with the MAPS leadership to provide direction for the profession as a whole during a time when Medical Affairs is clearly elevated in strategic importance alongside research & development and commercial colleagues from both the biopharmaceutical and medical technology industries.
“We are honored to include Mónica in this highly visible leadership role, where she is able to exemplify the expanding goals of Medical Affairs professionals in Europe, the Middle East and Africa,” says Travis Hege, CEO of MAPS.
The MAPS organization, on behalf of its staff, leadership and members, looks forward to working closely with Dr. de Abadal as Medical Affairs professionals collaborate to advance the organization, the profession, and ultimately, patients who depend on the safety and effectiveness of emerging drugs and technologies.
