Keynote Speaker

Dr. John L. LaMattina
Author and former President of Pfizer R&D

Dr. John L. LaMattina is the former President of Pfizer Global Research and Development. In this role, he oversaw the drug discovery and development efforts of over 12,000 colleagues in the United States, Europe and Asia. During his tenure. Pfizer produced new treatments for cancer, smoking cessation, rheumatoid arthritis, neuropathic pain, and AIDS. He retired from Pfizer at the end of 2007.  

He is currently on the Board of Directors of PureTech Health, Ligand Pharmaceuticals, Vedanta Biosciences, and Immunome and also serves as a scientific advisor to Frequency Therapeutics. He is also the author of three books: “Drug Truths – Dispelling the Myths About Pharmaceutical R&D” (2008); “Devalued and Distrusted – Can the Pharmaceutical Industry Restore Its Broken Image?” (2013) and “Pharma and Profits – Balancing Innovation, Medicines, and Drug Prices” (2022).  His views on current issues facing the biopharmaceutical industry can be found on his “Drug Truths” blog on Forbes.com.

During his presentation, Dr. LaMattina will discuss the content of his book "Pharma and Profits: Balancing Innovation, Medicine, and Drug Prices". Presentation Description: The value that the biopharmaceutical industry offers to society is often minimized against the more negative topic of high drug prices. Stories about high drug prices appear almost daily. Yet, the context for the pricing of these drugs is largely absent. Is the drug industry filled with profiteers or is it an industry made up of companies engaged in the high-risk business of innovation aimed at improving the lives of patients around the globe? This talk will help you to decide. Paperback copies of Dr. LaMattina's book will be available for purchase during registration.  Keynote presentation will be immediately followed by a book signing in the exhibit hall.