EVENT: Closing the Gender Health Gap - Our Role as Biopharma Leaders.
Join us for the 17th Women in Biopharma Leadership (WBL) event as we shine a spotlight on one of the most pressing challenges in healthcare today: the gender health gap. Together, we’ll explore how biopharma leaders can drive change by addressing disparities, championing innovation, and creating a more equitable future in health.
From conditions that uniquely affect women to those that manifest differently or receive unequal care, systemic disparities have led to overlooked needs, poorer outcomes, and missed opportunities across research, policy, and commerce.
This Women in Biopharma Leadership (WBL) session explores how we can lead in closing this gap — not only as a moral imperative but as a significant market and data opportunity. Through our discussions, participants will examine underrepresentation in research, the narrow framing of women’s health, and how shifts in investment, policy and people leadership can drive progress.
Attendees will leave with a clear call to action: to challenge assumptions, drive equity, and innovate for the 50% of the population whose health needs remain underserved.
Tuesday 18th November
5:00–7:00 PM GMT
22-24 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HJ
Be part of an inspiring discussion with peers and thought leaders committed to shaping a healthier, more inclusive world.
Meet our host and panellists.
Register here.
Learn more about our host and panellists.
Catherine Bacon.
Host
With an MSc in Neuroscience and a career spanning life science organisations, Catherine brings a deep understanding of market needs and a passion for advancing diversity. She pioneered a model supporting smaller biotech and pharma companies to access global market expertise and is committed to helping more female-led companies succeed.
Winsome Cheung.
Partner, Covington & Burling LLP
A scientist-turned-lawyer with a PhD from Cambridge, Winsome advises life sciences companies on collaborations and strategic alliances. Recognised as a leading next-generation lawyer, she’s also a strong advocate for inclusion, founding the Innovation in Biotech series and co-hosting Women in Life Sciences dinners.
Tina Backhouse.
VP Global Policy & Government Affairs, Theramex
With 30 years in pharma, Tina is passionate about health equity and has a proven track record of building and scaling businesses in the UK and beyond. She’s spent her career championing better access and representation within the healthcare system.
Dr. Vasilisa (Vaska) Sazonov.
Life Sciences Leader
A global pharma leader with over 20 years’ experience at Novartis, AbbVie, and MSD – most recently serving as SVP Commercial, Cardio-Renal-Metabolic at Novartis International. Vaska brings deep expertise in commercial strategy, market access, and portfolio development. She is widely passionate about talent development, access to medicines, and innovative partnerships.