Margarita Saakova

Margarita Saakova

Global Head of Launch Alexion Pharmaceuticals
Margarita Saakova

Margarita Saakova is an expert with over two decades of experience in pharmaceutical strategy, sales, and marketing, having played a pivotal role in 12 successful product launches across on global, regional, and local levels. Since joining AstraZeneca in 2014, she has assumed diverse roles in Oncology and Rare Diseases, including Global Brand Director and Haematology Franchise Head in Spain, with a recent focus on enhancing launch strategies and strategic planning for the global organization. Margarita's academic background includes a PhD in Pharmacy, which she leverages to optimize business operations and drive excellence in her field.

Pharma Launch Excellence Summit Main Conference Day 1: Tuesday 2nd December

4:30 PM Presentation/Case Study: Measuring Launch Success: Standardizing Global Metrics While Embracing Market Uniqueness

In this insightful session, we'll explore the critical aspects of measuring launch success in the pharmaceutical industry, with a particular focus on rare disease markets. We'll address the industry-wide challenge of balancing standardized success metrics with the unique needs of diverse markets.

·       Developing comprehensive KPIs that encompass both commercial outcomes and patient impact

·       Integrating quantitative and qualitative measures for a well-rounded evaluation

·       Adapting metrics for markets with varying resources and healthcare systems

·       Consistent launch measurement across different regions

·       Leveraging launch metrics to inform strategic decisions and resource allocation

·       Using success measurements to drive continuous improvement in launch strategies

Pharma Launch Excellence Summit Main Conference Day 2: Wednesday 3rd December

3:45 PM Panel Discussion: Beyond the First Launch: Redefining Success Through Reformulation and Regional Strategy

For smaller and mid-sized pharma companies, launch excellence isn’t just about bringing new molecules to market - it’s about maximizing the value of existing assets through reformulations, lifecycle extensions, and regional strategies. At Helsinn, Enrico Magnani has led global and regional launches in oncology and supportive care, where success is measured not just by speed to market, but by sustained value creation across the product lifecycle. Drawing on real-world experience, he’ll share how smaller companies can define success on their own terms and build agile, resource-smart strategies that deliver long-term impact. Attendees will leave with a practical framework for lifecycle-focused launch success beyond the first approval.

·       Launching reformulations with strategic intent and regional relevance

·       Defining success metrics that reflect company size and product type

·       Extending lifecycle value through agile, resource-smart planning

Check out the incredible speaker line-up to see who will be joining Margarita.

Download The Latest Agenda