Erwin Franken

Free-thinking, forward-looking, problem-solving, question-asking, curious, hungry for knowledge, T-shaped, sociable, love for practising sports, adventurous and a good dose of humour; that's me (almost).

After studying both medicine (MD) and pharmacy (PharmD) and two years working in internal

medicine, I have made the switch to the pharmaceutical industry. It is the combination of science with business what drives me and gives me pleasure in my professional life.

I have more than 16 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry of which 14 years as

freelancer in different roles; MT member, Head of Marketing, Marketeer, Digital Marketeer, Medical Manager, MSL Team lead, and MSL.

I have worked on national level (Netherlands, Belgium), regional level Benelux, EU functions and EMEA+ and Global level, for various companies: Amgen, Astra Zeneca, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Biogen, Sanofi Genzyme, Pfizer, J&J, Omron, and Chiesi.

With experience in a wide variety of therapeutic areas: oncology, immunology, neurology,

haematology, cardio- vascular diseases, dermatology, respiratory diseases, allergy, OTC markets and medical devices.

I enjoy it the most working in medical affairs or in marketing, as it’s there where science meets business. Where you can engage with HCPs on a scientific level and eventually can have an impact on patients’ life.

To be the internal and external expert in a disease area, a product including all the science, clinical data, real-world use, both current and future therapeutic indications, that is what It aligns well with my skills and interests.

I always want to keep growing, learning and developing my skills and knowledge. I have recently successfully finished Finance Essential course from Imperial College Business School London.

From mid-September 2023 I have started with an online masters Foundations of Modern Finance from MITx and The Finance of Mergers and Acquisitions at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign as part of an iMBA.