Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Certification
H Index
Professional Recommendations
Therapeutic Areas
Peer Reviewed Publications
Personal Information
Timeline
Generic
GEORGE VERNIKOS

GEORGE VERNIKOS

Medical Director
Athens

Summary

Experienced Medical Director, working for 10+ years in local, regional and global medical affairs roles both in big pharma and small biotech corporate settings. Launched 5+ priority products. Strong people management experience leading teams of medical directors (medical doctors), medical managers and MSLs. Proven track record of external engagement & impactful KOL management at the highest level - NITAGs, MoH, reimbursement and recommending bodies - in EU, US & APAC.

Overview

16
16
years of professional experience
8
8
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
3
3
Languages

Work History

Visiting Lecturer

Medical School of Athens
10.2008 - Current
  • Lecture two M.Sc level courses on pharmaceutical development technologies for Medical Doctors.
  • Joint Patent with full Professor: "A reputation system for post-publication review of scientific articles", United States Patent, Application 61487318; filed May 18, 2011.
  • Collaborated with faculty and staff to create meaningful learning experiences.
  • Assessed students' progress and provided feedback to enhance learning.
  • Evaluated and supervised student activities and performance levels to provide reports on academic progress.
  • Led seminars and workshops to facilitate student learning and engagement and increase memory retention.
  • Developed semester outlines and instructional plans for each class session to comply with stated course objectives.
  • Mentored new faculty members within the department, sharing best practices and offering support during their transition into the institution.
  • Mentored and advised students to explore career pathways based and amplify knowledge, skills and strengths.
  • Contributed to planning appropriate and engaging lessons for both classroom and distance learning applications.
  • Proved successful working within tight deadlines and a fast-paced environment.
  • Demonstrated creativity and resourcefulness through the development of innovative solutions.

Regional Medical Director

Novavax
12.2022 - Current
  • Head of Medical Affairs in South Europe for Italy, Spain, Greece, Cyprus, Malta and Portugal, leading and managing a team of Country Medical Directors (Medical Doctors).
  • Developed and maintained collaborative relationships with key stakeholders for streamlined operations and improved patient outcomes.
  • Developed alliances with internal departments resulting in improved communication and performance throughout region.
  • Monitored regional performance metrics to identify trends, anticipate challenges, and drive improvements in patient care delivery.
  • Supervised clinical staff, providing continuous professional development opportunities and training to maintain and strengthen competencies.
  • Verified effective, consistent communication between department heads, medical staff and governing boards through board meeting attendance and synchronization of interdepartmental functions.
  • Designed and introduced leadership development, coaching and team management model, resulting in promotion of employees into increased levels of responsibility.
  • Optimized resource allocation by reviewing regional budgets and making data-driven financial decisions.
  • Reviewed material used by medical team as part of Medical Review Board standards.
  • Developed quarterly and yearly objectives, goals and budgets in addition to devising suggestions to decrease spending.
  • Enhanced regional medical performance by providing strategic leadership to multiple healthcare facilities.
  • Fostered a culture of continuous learning and professional development among staff through targeted training initiatives.
  • Reduced employee turnover rates through effective recruitment, retention, and professional development strategies.
  • Recruited, hired and trained all staff, providing direct supervision, ongoing staff development and continuing education to employees.
  • Ensured regulatory compliance at all regional facilities by staying current on industry updates and enforcing adherence to established policies.
  • Spearheaded and implemented new projects to expand scope of engagement.
  • Championed the adoption of new technologies within the region to enhance diagnostic capabilities, streamline workflows, and improve overall patient experience.
  • Enabled better decision-making by regularly presenting actionable insights derived from regional performance data to senior leadership.
  • Attended healthcare conferences to stay abreast of evolution of technology and implemented improvements in practice.
  • Strengthened communication skills through regular interactions with others.
  • Developed strong communication and organizational skills through working on group projects.
  • Proven ability to develop and implement creative solutions to complex problems.
  • Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
  • Used strong analytical and problem-solving skills to develop effective solutions for challenging situations.
  • Demonstrated leadership skills in managing projects from concept to completion.
  • Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
  • Assisted with day-to-day operations, working efficiently and productively with all team members.
  • Organized and detail-oriented with a strong work ethic.
  • Paid attention to detail while completing assignments.
  • Cultivated interpersonal skills by building positive relationships with others.
  • Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
  • Provided professional services and support in a dynamic work environment.

Country Medical Director

Novavax
07.2022 - 12.2022
  • Country Medical Director for Greece, Cyprus and Malta.
  • Led the medical strategy, managed the budget and executed the external engagement plan with KOLs and recommending bodies.
  • Supported global Clinical Trials & lead RWE studies currently at the level of publication.
  • Established partnerships with external organizations, promoting collaboration on shared health initiatives.
  • Interacted well with customers to build connections and nurture relationships.
  • Leveraged data analytics insights for informed decision-making in critical areas such as sales forecasting, budgeting, or personnel management.
  • Boosted client satisfaction rates through exceptional relationship management and prompt resolution of issues.
  • Optimized operational processes using analytics tools to address client-specific metrics.
  • Spearheaded successful product launches that resulted in increased brand visibility and customer acquisition.
  • Managed daily operations while overseeing multiple locations to foster increased productivity.
  • Recruited, hired, and trained initial personnel, working to establish key internal functions and outline scope of positions for new organization.
  • Optimized staff performance by designing comprehensive training programs tailored to individual needs.
  • Monitored and coordinated workflows to optimize resources.
  • Improved project efficiency with strategic planning, resource allocation, and time management practices.
  • Facilitated cross-functional collaboration for improved decision-making processes within the organization.
  • Cultivated a positive work environment that fostered employee engagement, increased retention rates, and boosted overall team morale.
  • Observed each employee's individual strengths and initiated mentoring program to improve areas of weakness.
  • Evaluated company documentation to verify alignment with regulatory requirements.
  • Championed corporate social responsibility initiatives that enhanced the company''s reputation in the community and industry at large.
  • Implemented innovative solutions to solve complex problems, resulting in increased productivity and streamlined operations.
  • Spearheaded innovative approaches to resource allocation and strategic planning.
  • Strengthened internal controls by reviewing existing policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
  • Trained and guided team members to maintain high productivity and performance metrics.
  • Assisted in recruiting, hiring and training of team members.
  • Managed budgets effectively to ensure optimal use of resources while maintaining financial stability.
  • Established a culture of continuous improvement by fostering open communication channels and empowering employees to voice their ideas.
  • Leveraged professional networks and industry knowledge to strengthen client relationships.
  • Established departmental performance goals and provided feedback for underperforming areas.
  • Developed high-performing teams by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Organized and detail-oriented with a strong work ethic.
  • Applied effective time management techniques to meet tight deadlines.
  • Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
  • Demonstrated leadership skills in managing projects from concept to completion.
  • Cultivated interpersonal skills by building positive relationships with others.
  • Learned and adapted quickly to new technology and software applications.
  • Gained strong leadership skills by managing projects from start to finish.
  • Acted as a team leader in group projects, delegating tasks and providing feedback.
  • Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.

Therapeutic Area Head

Johnson & Johnson
02.2021 - 07.2022
  • Medical Head Greece: Infectious Diseases & Vaccines.
  • Medical Head Cyprus & Malta: Cardiovascular & Metabolic Diseases, Immunology, Infectious Diseases & Vaccines, Neuroscience, Oncology, Pulmonary Hypertension.
  • Led a team of Medical Managers.
  • Effectively allocated tasks during high-traffic times to keep operations running smoothly and employees focused.
  • Trained team members in successful strategies to meet operational and sales targets.
  • Boosted employee morale by recognizing outstanding contributions from team members during monthly meetings.
  • Maintained focus during busy times and delegated tasks to employees to keep business running smoothly.
  • Reduced expenses by renegotiating vendor contracts to eliminate waste and boost cost savings
  • Developed and maintained strong relationships with key clients, resulting in increased customer satisfaction and loyalty.
  • Researched issues to obtain appropriate answers to customer inquiries.
  • Planned and implemented growth strategies.
  • Engaged associates in daily operations through open communication and upbeat team meetings.
  • Collaborated with other departments to ensure smooth operations and communication across the organization.
  • Increased overall productivity by streamlining processes and implementing new strategies for team management.
  • Revamped outdated operational procedures which positively impacted overall workflow efficiency within the area.
  • Trained and oriented associates to maximize team performance.
  • Analyzed key performance indicators to identify trends and areas for improvement within the department.
  • Streamlined internal communication channels, facilitating improved information sharing among employees.
  • Managed budgets for various projects, ensuring timely completion within allocated resources.
  • Spearheaded cross-functional initiatives aimed at optimizing resource utilization across multiple departments.
  • Presented reports on area achievements to senior management, highlighting successes and areas for improvement.
  • Led a team of professionals to achieve area targets, fostering a collaborative work environment.
  • Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
  • Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
  • Proven ability to develop and implement creative solutions to complex problems.
  • Cultivated interpersonal skills by building positive relationships with others.
  • Paid attention to detail while completing assignments.
  • Acted as a team leader in group projects, delegating tasks and providing feedback.

Global Medical Affairs

GlaxoSmithKline
04.2019 - 02.2021
  • Creator and project owner of a Global Medical Affairs RWE project that translates 6 years of RWE scientific data into a 4-minute story narrative.
  • The project was adopted by the GMA team and launched as a global deliverable to all markets.
  • Served as a key liaison between internal stakeholders and external partners, fostering productive collaborations that advanced company goals.
  • Enhanced medical education initiatives by creating engaging training materials for healthcare professionals on new products and therapies.
  • Successfully negotiated client contract renewals to create increased revenue.
  • Managed the review and approval process for medical communications materials, ensuring accuracy and alignment with company objectives.
  • Implemented best practices in documentation management systems that improved efficiency, accessibility, and security of project-related information.
  • Maintained open communication by presenting regular updates on project status to customers.
  • Reduced project completion timeframes through strategic resource allocation and efficient task delegation.
  • Led multidisciplinary teams to complete complex projects efficiently through effective coordination and delegation of tasks among team members.
  • Tracked project and team member performance closely to quickly intervene in mistakes or delays.
  • Maintained tactical control of project budgets and timelines to keep teams on task and achieve schedule targets.
  • Facilitated workshops to collect project requirements and user feedback.
  • Adjusted project plans to account for dynamic targets, staffing changes, and operational specifications.
  • Partnered with project team members to identify and quickly address problems.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration of various project components.
  • Saved costs on multiple projects by identifying opportunities for process improvement and implementing cost-effective solutions.
  • Developed and implemented project plans and budgets to ensure successful execution.
  • Set up and managed team meetings.
  • Scheduled and facilitated meetings between project stakeholders to discuss deliverables, schedules and conflicts.
  • Optimized resource utilization by accurately forecasting project needs and allocating resources accordingly throughout the project lifecycle.
  • Demonstrated leadership skills in managing projects from concept to completion.
  • Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
  • Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
  • Adaptable and proficient in learning new concepts quickly and efficiently.
  • Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
  • Paid attention to detail while completing assignments.
  • Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
  • Assisted with day-to-day operations, working efficiently and productively with all team members.

European Medical Affairs

GlaxoSmithKline
03.2016 - 02.2021
  • Country Medical Head & core member of the European Medical Leadership Team.
  • Appointed to support the optimization of medical planning across Europe.
  • Act as single point of reference for European markets.
  • Collaborated with key stakeholders to align departmental goals with the company''s overall objectives, ensuring consistent progress towards targets.
  • Collaborated with company leaders to support consistency and best practices.
  • Established team priorities, maintained schedules and monitored performance.
  • Established performance goals for employees and provided feedback on methods for reaching those milestones.
  • Monitored activities for adherence to vital milestones and deliverables.
  • Led cross-functional team to develop and implement a successful product launch strategy, resulting in increased market share.
  • Monitored processes and procedures, making sure company met compliance regulations.
  • Created detailed project roadmaps with clearly defined milestones, deliverables, and timelines to ensure timely completion of initiatives.
  • Created new methodologies to improve planning process and results.
  • Successfully managed budgets and allocated resources to maximize productivity and profitability.
  • Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
  • Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
  • Provided professional services and support in a dynamic work environment.

Medical Advisor

GlaxoSmithKline
04.2015 - 03.2016
  • Planned & implemented the local medical strategy.
  • Keynote speaker at national and international congresses as company spokesperson.
  • KOL external engagement management.
  • Offered medical and strategic input to advisory boards to foster engagement with clinical advisors.
  • Established relationships with external customers to gain insights into decision-making and brand strategy development.
  • Facilitated scientific exchange among key opinion leaders through participation in advisory boards and symposia.
  • Reviewed literature and facilitated discussion to develop and maintain product knowledge and expertise.
  • Promoted scientific and clinical trends awareness and maintained understanding of scientific evidence to construct accurate knowledge.
  • Attended training courses and applied action plans, coaching and knowledge to enhance daily tasks.
  • Enhanced patient outcomes by providing expert medical advice and guidance to healthcare professionals.
  • Maintained strong relationships with healthcare providers by addressing their clinical concerns and providing timely, evidence-based responses.
  • Drafted and analyzed complex medical data.
  • Served as a liaison between clinical research teams and healthcare providers, fostering effective communication and collaboration.
  • Maximized product adoption by developing compelling value propositions that resonated with target customer segments.
  • Conducted research and stayed current with medical advancements, contributing to growth of medical knowledge.
  • Led successful publication planning efforts by collaborating with external authors and managing submission timelines.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to support product marketing access strategy.
  • Conducted comprehensive literature reviews and presented findings at national conferences, raising awareness of key medical issues.
  • Evaluated competitor landscape through strategic analysis techniques, identifying opportunities for differentiation.
  • Reviewed promotional materials for compliance with regulatory guidelines, ensuring accuracy and reliability of information provided to patients.
  • Supported clinical trial design through thorough understanding of unmet medical needs, leading to more targeted therapeutic interventions.
  • Educated sales representatives on product benefits and safety profiles, enhancing their ability to effectively communicate with physicians.
  • Participated in continuing education and professional development to enhance expertise and skills.
  • Created customized training materials for diverse audiences, tailoring content to meet specific requirements of various stakeholders.
  • Developed strong communication and organizational skills through working on group projects.
  • Demonstrated a high level of initiative and creativity while tackling difficult tasks.
  • Cultivated interpersonal skills by building positive relationships with others.
  • Strengthened communication skills through regular interactions with others.
  • Fastest product uptake in EU in the 1st year of launch.

Medical Advisor

Novartis
01.2013 - 04.2015
  • Supported five priority product launches in Greece, Cyprus & Malta.
  • Developed and executed strategic and tactical plans.
  • Managed KOL engagements.
  • Led RWE and cost-effectiveness studies supporting the market access and reimbursement of the products launched.
  • Offered medical and strategic input to advisory boards to foster engagement with clinical advisors.
  • Established relationships with external customers to gain insights into decision-making and brand strategy development.
  • Facilitated scientific exchange among key opinion leaders through participation in advisory boards and symposia.
  • Drafted and analyzed complex medical data.
  • Served as a liaison between clinical research teams and healthcare providers, fostering effective communication and collaboration.
  • Maximized product adoption by developing compelling value propositions that resonated with target customer segments.
  • Influenced formulary decision-making by presenting real-world evidence supporting product efficacy.
  • Led successful publication planning efforts by collaborating with external authors and managing submission timelines.

Education

Ph.D. - Genomics & Infectious Diseases

University of Cambridge
Cambridge, UK
10.2004 - 10.2008

B.Sc. - Molecular Biology

University of Athens
Athens, Greece
10.1999 - 10.2003

Skills

undefined

Websites

Certification

Full list

H Index

15

Professional Recommendations

Full list

Therapeutic Areas

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Vaccines
  • Immunology
  • Cardiovascular
  • Metabolic Diseases
  • Public Health
  • Genomics
  • Respiratory Diseases
  • Neuroscience
  • Oncology
  • Pulmonary Hypertension

Peer Reviewed Publications

19

Personal Information

Date of Birth: 04/23/80

Timeline

Regional Medical Director

Novavax
12.2022 - Current

Country Medical Director

Novavax
07.2022 - 12.2022

Therapeutic Area Head

Johnson & Johnson
02.2021 - 07.2022

Global Medical Affairs

GlaxoSmithKline
04.2019 - 02.2021

European Medical Affairs

GlaxoSmithKline
03.2016 - 02.2021

Medical Advisor

GlaxoSmithKline
04.2015 - 03.2016

Medical Advisor

Novartis
01.2013 - 04.2015

Visiting Lecturer

Medical School of Athens
10.2008 - Current

Ph.D. - Genomics & Infectious Diseases

University of Cambridge
10.2004 - 10.2008

B.Sc. - Molecular Biology

University of Athens
10.1999 - 10.2003

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GEORGE VERNIKOSMedical Director