Sandy Loreaux, a pharmacist by training, embarked on her professional journey in the pharmaceutical industry in 1997 when she joined Rhone-Poulenc Rorer as a medical education manager. However, after a few years, she transitioned into a marketing role, marking the beginning of a remarkable career trajectory on the commercial side of the business. That organization went through multiple mergers and acquisitions, and ultimately became Sanofi. During the nearly two decades Sandy served there, she had the opportunity to work in many roles across sales, marketing, market access, etc. This experience helped her to develop a comprehensive understanding of the pharmaceutical sector from various angles.
In the subsequent eight years, Sandy led Market Access Organizations at both Bausch Health and Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals and also served as General Manager for Mallinckrodt’s U.S Critical Care Business, where she spearheaded critical initiatives and played a vital role in driving performance during challenging organizational times.
Sandy most recently served as the US President of Covis Pharma, which further positioned her as a respected leader in the pharmaceutical industry.
In early 2023, Sandy made a significant move in her career by joining Bryn Pharma as its CEO. Bryn Pharma is a start-up pharmaceutical company that was founded by patients and is focused on developing innovative therapies for patients affected by anaphylaxis.
“When I joined the organization in March of 2023, Bryn was primarily a development-focused organization. I was brought in to lead the transition of the company to one that is now focused on bringing our product to market commercially. A significant part of that transition is recruiting a team that has the expertise and capabilities in areas such as sales, marketing, market access, manufacturing operations, commercial analytics, etc,”- Sandy stated
About Bryn Pharma
Bryn Pharma is a start-up pharmaceutical company dedicated to finding a better way for patients and caregivers to treat anaphylaxis. Founded by anaphylaxis-affected patients, Bryn Pharma is driven to find a better way to administer lifesaving epinephrine.
Bryn Pharma’s mission is to develop a needle-free epinephrine nasal spray that is clinically comparable to the current standard of care but small enough to carry in a pocket comfortably and easy to use without any specialized medical training. Under Sandy’s leadership, Bryn Pharma is focused on supporting the needs of patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals, in delivering an easy-to-use alternative to auto-injectors that will make a meaningful difference in patients’ willingness to carry and use their epinephrine when they need it.
Improving Millions of Lives
At least 25-40 million people in the US are at risk for type 1 allergic reactions, or anaphylactic reactions, to allergens. These allergens are commonly found in food, medication, or venom, such as bee stings. Epinephrine is the standard care for all these types of reactions. However, up to this point, Epinephrine products have been required to be injected with a needle, which creates a lot of anxiety for patients and caregivers. Patients often hesitate to use their autoinjectors, even when they know they should. Additionally, most of the devices available in the market today are large and cumbersome, so many patients often admit to not carrying their medications.
To address these issues and improve patient adherence and comfort, Bryn Pharma aims to introduce a groundbreaking product to alleviate patient concerns regarding carrying and using their medication. By addressing the psychological and practical barriers associated with traditional needle-based autoinjectors, Bryn Pharma’s innovative solution has the potential to significantly impact patients’ willingness to carry and utilize their life-saving epinephrine.
Primary Challenges
As with any pharmaceutical product, there are many facets to a successful launch that must be thoughtfully considered, planned for, and executed against. Everything from manufacturing operations, ensuring reimbursement and payer coverage, planning for sales force sizing and promotion, and direct to patient education and communication must be carefully thought through. As a start-up organization, we are focused on bringing on a highly capable team, with the right skills and experiences that will allow us to move swiftly and be successful.
Tackling the Gender Pay Gap Problem
Sandy believes it is crucial for business leaders to actively encourage and support women in their professional growth and development. This entails creating an environment where women feel empowered to take on new challenges and seek opportunities to grow their careers. By fostering a culture of inclusivity and gender equality, business leaders can contribute to narrowing the gender gap and promoting diversity within the workforce.
Addressing pay gaps is another crucial aspect of promoting gender equality. Sandy emphasizes the importance of using benchmark data effectively to ensure fair compensation for all employees, regardless of gender. By regularly assessing and comparing compensation levels against market standards, business leaders can identify discrepancies and take appropriate measures to rectify them. This includes ensuring that women are being compensated fairly and equitably in line with their qualifications, experience, and contributions to the organization.
Suggestion for Younger Self
According to Sandy, young entrepreneurs should embrace the mindset of not being afraid to venture into new territories. She advises them to proactively seek out opportunities that may be unfamiliar or outside their comfort zone. Before considering any role or endeavor, Sandy encourages entrepreneurs to ask themselves a crucial question: “What experience or knowledge is this going to bring me that I don’t already have?”
She emphasizes that maintaining this continuous growth and learning mindset is crucial throughout any professionals’ career. As they progress, it is important to consistently evaluate opportunities based on the potential for acquiring new experiences and knowledge. This mindset ensures that entrepreneurs constantly evolve, stay adaptable, and acquire the necessary tools to overcome challenges and seize new opportunities.