Women in the Industry: Drs. Catherine Coulouvrat and Odile Piot-Grosjean BACK

Published by AFAR

This month, AFAR showcases two women who have transformed their scientific knowledge from the lab and the clinic to excel in the pharmaceutical industry: Catherine Coulouvrat, MD, and Odile Piot-Grosjean, PhD. Both are leaders at sanofi-aventis in the Aging Therapeutic Strategic Unit, a department that is rethinking how to develop and deliver treatments to the aging population. Drs. Coulouvrat and Piot-Grosjean joined us to discuss their roles in connecting healthcare needs with real treatment options, as well as their experiences as women in science.

Tell us about the ‘Aging Therapeutic Strategy Unit’ at sanofi-aventis.

The Therapeutic Strategic Unit (TSU) dedicated to Aging is focusing on the detection, prevention, treatment and reversal of age-related dysfunctions, disorders and diseases. The creation of this unit reflects a shift of paradigm which implies moving away from a traditional R&D approach based upon the concepts of therapeutic area/disease/target organ/mechanism of action to a more comprehensive case and patient-centric management. By acquiring a better understanding of the physiology, activities, vulnerabilities of “seniors” and their environment and developing a better insight into the mechanisms of aging, we aim at designing and delivering meaningful and cost effective healthcare solutions for the aging population, which address the complexity and diversity of needs of older adults and their caregivers To achieve that objective, our R&D programs are directed towards major age-related chronic diseases (such as Alzheimer, Chronic pain, osteoarthritis and hearing disorders), syndromes (Sarcopenia/frailty, chronic disabling pain and others) and preventive strategies for major age related pathologic processes.

What are your responsibilities within the Aging Unit? And, what motivated you to enter into this particular Unit?

Odile: Within this unit, I have two different roles. First, I am the Head of the Scientific Secretariat, which is responsible for providing analysis, advice, and recommendations to the Unit Leader and the leadership team on major scientific and strategic questions. We ensure the best scientific expertise in the Unit as well as the best knowledge of our competition. We also provide scientific and competitive critical analyses to position our products (not only drug) and then assess the value of different strategic opportunities. We offer independent perspective and insights, and are responsible for obtaining and integrating perspectives from outside the unit. We have a key role in organizing regular portfolio progress reviews and we promote and communicate the Unit objectives and achievements by representing the Unit in internal and external scientific forums. I am also in charge of the Biology of Aging team that is responsible for leveraging concepts, targets and approaches that will progress our understanding of the biology of aging, invigorate the TSU Aging pipeline, and expand the TSU toolbox for developing and improving therapies for diseases of aging.
Catherine: I am the Head of the Customer Intelligence and Market Access Unit (CI-MA). This department provides the Aging unit with information about the unmet needs of the older adults and their caregivers. Our goal is to acquire a thorough knowledge of the needs of older adults and caregivers from the perspective of healthcare providers and payers in different regions worldwide. We also aim to identify, develop, and nurture relationships with relevant and influential professional organizations, patient/caregiver associations and advocacy groups, and external experts in geriatrics and gerontology. We develop that knowledge of older adults, caregivers, healthcare providers, and payers’ needs to help building the TSU Aging development strategy.

As you know, AFAR is honoring women in science for 2011. From your personal experience, do you think there are any particular barriers for women entering into the scientific domain? If so, what are they?

Catherine: Women are more and more present and visible in the scientific domain. They are recognized and appreciated by their peers. In fields where women were seldom present in the past, such as medicine, modern technology, engineering, they now have a large representation in these fields and are undeniable stakeholders who are taken into account and listened to. Yet, the barrier that I see for some women may be a result of the old belief that women don’t make significant contributions in science. Women may undervalue their own knowledge and are therefore not developing their careers to their full potential. Fortunately, this phenomenon is becoming rare… and the rise of women in these domains also contributes to further establish their role and contribution in society.

If you could give a woman entering into medicine or scientific research one piece of advice, what would it be?

Catherine: Believe in your capabilities, and never be discouraged!