Read the Conversation
Meeting Highlights:
- Mission Focus: Collaboration between Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) and the Saudi Government, focusing on hematology, oncology, and cardiovascular disease, and addressing areas of unmet needs.
- Saudi Healthcare Landscape: Fast-growing market with a young population, aiming to become a $11 billion medical hub.
- BMS’ role as a strategic partner of choice in achieving healthcare goals.
- Future Strategy: Emphasis on collaboration and data connectivity to enhance early diagnosis and treatment outcomes.
- Collaboration: Between healthcare providers, research institutions, and biopharmaceutical companies.
- How BMS uses Data Integration and Innovation to improve diagnosis and treatment.
- Public-Private Partnerships: Enhancing healthcare infrastructure and patient access
EF: If you were a speaker at the Davos World Economic Forum, what key message would you convey to the world leaders about healthcare?
OB: Healthcare is at a pivotal moment, where scientific innovation, technology, and global collaboration can redefine patient outcomes. While significant progress has been made in areas like oncology, hematology, immunology, cardiovascular and neuroscience, we must now accelerate efforts to ensure these advancements reach the patients who need them the most.
One of the greatest opportunities in healthcare today lies in harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) and real-world data to transform drug discovery, improve early diagnosis, and optimize treatment pathways. At Bristol Myers Squibb, we are integrating AI into our research and development to enhance efficiency, reduce drug development timelines, and bring breakthrough therapies to patients faster. However, to fully unlock this potential, global healthcare systems must embrace digital transformation, and support regulatory frameworks that ensure responsible AI use while maintaining patient privacy and ethical standards.
Moreover, healthcare innovation should not be limited to treatment alone - it must extend to prevention and early intervention. As we see with our latest advancements in oncology and cardiovascular health, early diagnosis can be life-changing. This requires the healthcare systems to prioritize long-term patient well-being rather than short-term cost containment. Saudi Arabia’s healthcare transformation is an excellent example of this approach in action demonstrating how investments in infrastructure, innovation, and partnerships can drive meaningful change.
Ultimately, the future of healthcare depends on collaboration. By working together across sectors, we can accelerate access to innovation and build a more sustainable, patient-focused healthcare ecosystem.
EF: What led you to join Bristol Myers Squibb, and what goals have you set for yourself in this market, which we see as one of the most dynamic in the world today?
After spending over 26 years in the healthcare industry, working across multiple roles and countries, I have developed a clear mission: to enhance healthcare systems and expand patient access to innovation. I believe this region is home to top-tier talent with world-class capabilities. The region is also supported with a solid infrastructure, and the necessary resources to benefit significantly from advanced healthcare solutions.
Against this backdrop, Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) offers a unique portfolio of innovative medicines across key areas of unmet medical need, including oncology, hematology, immunology, cardiovascular, and neuroscience. These areas are top healthcare priorities in Saudi Arabia and the region, where we see significant opportunities to address conditions like cardiovascular diseases and hereditary blood disorders. BMS's current portfolio and pipeline are well-positioned to meet these needs, and I see numerous opportunities for us to strengthen and expand BMS's impact at the country level in the Kingdom and ensure the provision of our innovative medicines for patients who need them the most.
Saudi Arabia is making tremendous investments in healthcare with a vision focused on prevention, innovation and the adoption of value-based care. The building blocks are in place, and BMS has an opportunity to further align its vision with the healthcare system's evolving needs and to ultimately improve the lives of patients by driving efforts towards a healthier future in the Kingdom. I am deeply grateful for my experience in Saudi Arabia which has provided me with strong relationships and a deep understanding of the market, elements that allow me to bridge the gap between BMS's innovative solutions and the needs of patients across the Kingdom.
EF: When leading a transformation, you often work within the "Golden Triangle" of project management: cost, time, and quality. If you had to choose two of these factors to drive a transformation in a country like Saudi Arabia, which would they be and why?
OB: Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 is an ambitious plan that extends far beyond healthcare. The goals set by Vision 2030 push everyone to work with clear objectives and key performance indicators (KPIs), which has already led to a significant cultural and mindset shift.
While the ideal scenario and expectation is to always aim for high quality, delivered quickly, and at a lower cost, if I had to prioritize two factors, I would choose quality and cost. In the long run, prioritizing quality ensures sustainable outcomes and maximizes the value of investments, making it a more cost-effective approach.
What's truly remarkable is witnessing the rapid pace of change in Saudi Arabia. The shift in female leadership and the expanding roles of women are particularly noteworthy. The broader cultural transformation is happening at an incredible pace and it’s an exciting opportunity for BMS to be part of this change.
Take the Riyadh Metro as an example. The overwhelming demand demonstrates the eagerness of the population to embrace new infrastructure and opportunities. Saudi Arabia is committed to becoming a developed, independent, and mature nation, taking deliberate and consistent steps toward that vision. Key players across the Kingdom share a forward-thinking mindset, strengthened by a solid education, financial resources, and world-class infrastructure. With a clear collective vision for the future, we are making rapid progress toward achieving it.
EF: Can you share insights on BMS’s pipeline and portfolio? What are your key plans, and what initiatives are you looking forward to executing?
OB: What differentiates Bristol Myers Squibb is the strength of our science and the depth of our pipeline. We remain focused on advancing treatments in areas of high unmet medical need, bringing innovative therapies to patients across oncology, hematology, immunology, cardiovascular, and neuroscience.
Cancer remains a critical global challenge, and BMS continues to lead in oncology, particularly in immunotherapy, by researching, discovering and developing innovative therapies. Our robust pipeline includes multiple treatments and indications, with new advancements emerging to improve patient outcomes.
Beyond oncology, two key therapeutic areas are particularly pertinent to this region. The first is thalassemia, a condition that significantly impacts patients' quality of life, often requiring lifelong blood transfusions that can lead to complications. BMS has introduced a treatment that has demonstrated the ability to reduce transfusion dependency, thereby improving overall patient well-being.
The second area is cardiovascular health. Throughout my experiences in Saudi Arabia’s healthcare landscape, I've witnessed the urgent need for early diagnosis and intervention in this area. One of our most notable innovations is in obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (oHCM), a disease that historically had limited treatment options. BMS has developed the first innovative therapy for oHCM, and while underdiagnosis has been a significant challenge; we are seeing an increase in diagnoses rates, as physicians become more aware and are now actively identifying cases.
At BMS, our mission is not just about scientific breakthroughs-it’s about making a tangible difference in patients’ lives. By driving innovation, strengthening partnerships, and ensuring broader access to our medicines, we are shaping the future of healthcare in the region.
EF: Given the potential to introduce these innovations, how do you approach this opportunity? As someone who can be seen as an ambassador of Saudi Arabia to BMS, how do you attract resources and advocate for greater investment in the country? What role do you play in positioning Saudi Arabia as a key market for BMS?
OB: Saudi Arabia is rapidly emerging as a global hub for healthcare investment, backed by strong economic growth, ambitious reforms, and a commitment to innovation. As one of the top five fastest-growing economies within the G20, the country boasts a young and dynamic population, presenting a significant opportunity for a long-term, sustainable partnership that drives innovation and prosperity.
From a healthcare perspective, Saudi Arabia is on a trajectory to become an $11 billion market, fueled by an ambitious transformation agenda. The government's focus on value-based healthcare and HTA models further enhances the country’s attractiveness as a strategic market. Moreover, Saudi Arabia’s vision to establish itself as a leading medical hub in the region aligns seamlessly with BMS's mission to deliver innovative medicines to patients.
BMS’s role goes beyond providing medicines; we are actively contributing with regulators, supporting clinical research, and investing in medical education. By aligning our efforts with Saudi Arabia’s long-term vision, we are not only strengthening our presence in the region but also playing a key role in shaping its future healthcare landscape.
Companies that invest in the market today are not just securing market presence-they are becoming part of a transformative movement that is redefining healthcare for the next generation. At BMS, we are proud to be part of this journey.
