Laura Luchini joined Merck, Sharp & Dohme, MSD, in Aug2017, after +25 years experience in epidemiology, clinical development and clinical operations at Academia, Pharma companies and Contract Research Organizations (CROs).
Laura earned her medical degree in Brazil in 1986. She was a General Practitioner in her native country before moving to Italy for seven years, where she obtained a PhD in Pharmacology (Epidemiology) from the Mario Negri Pharmacology Research Institute in Milan. She started her industry career in 1998, working in several positions of increasing responsibility in both pharmaceutical companies and in CROs in Brazil and Europe.
Laura also holds an MBA and a Specialization in Pharmaceutic Medicine. She is fluent in English, Portuguese, French, Italian and Spanish. She is studying German and Japanese.
Laura has 3 grown up kids and has relocated to Switzerland in 2019 to join the MSD Zurich office colleagues.
Current Role & Responsibilities:
As AVP Regional Head for Global Clinical Trials Operations, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Laura’s managing scope includes 35+ countries, ~200 clinical trials conducted in ~8000 clinical sites, and internal & outsourced staff of +2500 people dedicated to clinical operations in the region.
In August 2020 Laura has assumed responsibility for setting up our new Development & Marketing hub in Zurich, Switzerland. Since March 2022 Laura is co-chairing the Zurich Hub Leadership Team together with a Global Market Access AVP.