We interviewed Lora Duro, alumna of the International Master in Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Management. Currently, Lora is based in New York City working as a Senior Analyst for The Dedham Group, a premier US oncology & specialty therapeutics strategy consulting firm. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Boston College and in 2020 she decided to specialize and pursue the International Master in Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Management.
During the master’s programme she participated in EADA’s Market Assessment Programme as a Junior Consultant and conducted primary and secondary market research across different stakeholders and a competitive strategy analysis to identify areas of growth for the client’s pre-clinical stage RNA-based platform.
What is an average day like for you as a Senior Consulting Analyst at The Dedham Group?
I’m typically staffed on 3-4 different market access projects at a time for various pharmaceutical clients. The work spans across landscape analysis, strategic engagement, and pricing/reimbursement strategies for new drugs or indication expansions. Depending on the stage of the project, I will conduct primary and secondary research, collect and analyze data, and work on slide decks to build out the best story to present to the client. It’s a collaborative process with my teams and I get to work with some really knowledgeable people in the industry.
What is the most challenging part of your current position? And the most rewarding?
The most challenging part of my job is how highly nuanced the work in oncology is. I work and speak with a variety of experts in the industry, so I have to ensure I’m up to date on the latest information and continuously educate myself on the evolving landscape.
The most rewarding part of my role is knowing we’re having an impact on patients’ lives. It speaks as to why I wanted to enter this industry in the first place, it’s that I wanted to be part of something bigger that would help people live better lives. Knowing that some of these big pharma companies are heeding our recommendations on drug access motivates me every day.
How do you keep up with the latest trends in the pharmaceutical & Biotechnology industry?
The pharmaceutical and biotech industry evolves very rapidly, whether it’s keeping up with new drug approvals, clinical trial data, press releases, or mergers and acquisitions, it’s important to stay current. I constantly read up on the news. Fierce Pharma and Fierce Biotech are my go-to sources to keep up with the latest trends.
What aspects of the International Master in Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Management would you highlight? How did the programme prepare you for your current position?
I really appreciated the holistic approach of my masters. I felt I learned about the entire pharma industry value chain and all its complexities. While the different courses I took provided the backbone for what I would be exposed to in my current role, the Market Assessment Programme prepared me skillswise in the various tasks and processes I go through on a daily basis. It helped me gain first hand experience and become comfortable in leading interviews, conducting research, gathering and analyzing data, and presenting the final recommendations.
The combination of a scientific background and business acumen would help launch my career in a way that would make me a more rounded and versatile candidate."
What advice would you give to students who come from a scientific background and have never studied business before?
It can definitely feel intimidating going into business without having studied it before. I felt that prior to starting my master’s programme at EADA, but I knew that the combination of a scientific background and business acumen would help launch my career in a way that would make me a more rounded and versatile candidate. My biggest piece of advice would simply be to be curious and willing to learn new things.
What skills do you think are most important for someone interested in a position like yours?
Communication is key in consulting. Whether it’s email, conducting research calls, building out a comprehensive story from your findings, and presenting your recommendations to clients, it’s crucial to be able to communicate clearly and effectively. Problem solving skills are also a must have. You will always be faced with new challenges and will need to have a strategic approach for tackling them. Luckily, EADA does a great job of training you on these skills with the case study methodology.
What are your future plans for your career?
I want to learn as much as I can about the healthcare industry and all its intricacies. Eventually I would love to work at a top pharma company on the market access team and oversee the commercialization process of a new drug.