LFM SDM Web Seminar

Transforming Pharma Supply Chain for the Future

By Tom Van Laar
Head of Global Technical Operations, Novartis Pharma

Abstract:
Pressure is growing in the Pharma industry due to the cost of prescription medications, more safety scrutiny from regulators and the difficulty associated with discovering new drugs to address unmet medical needs. This creates a challenge for Pharma manufacturing and supply chain to become faster, more flexible and more cost effective while maintaining compliance with regulations. I will talk about how Novartis Technical Operations is addressing this through a comprehensive productivity effort utilizing LEAN manufacturing, Six Sigma, process reengineering, while changing to a Process Oriented Organization. I have led and been part of this type of effort since 1991 and am currently driving this across Novartis TechOps globally.

About the Speaker:
Van Laar is the Head of Global Technical Operations at Novartis Pharma and a member of the Pharma Executive Committee (PEC) since November 2004. He is responsible for overall manufacturing and supply for the Pharma division of Novartis AG. Technical Operations has an operating budget of $3 billion, 9000 employees and 24 manufacturing sites around the world. Tom Van Laar joined Novartis in 2002 as Vice President Pharmaceutical Operations in Suffern, NY. He came to Novartis from Pharmacia Corporation (formerly Searle / Monsanto) where he held positions of increasing responsibility for the previous 19 years, including Plant Manager, Sr. Director of Manufacturing and Head of Best Practices Office. Tom Van Laar has a BS in Chemical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, and an MBA from Northwestern University.