Organon, a healthcare company with a focus on women’s health, has appointed Juan Camilo Arjona Ferreira, M.D., as Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and Charlotte Owens, M.D., as Head of Medical Affairs and Outcomes Research, strengthening its medical capabilities, advancing external relationships and fueling efforts to bring forward innovations to solve unmet health needs. They both report to Sandra Milligan, M.D., J.D., Head of Research and Development.
What do the appointees bring to Organon?
Juan Camilo Arjona Ferreira
Dr. Arjona Ferreira brings over two decades of clinical research and development experience and a strong background in women’s health. Recently, he was CMO of Myovant Sciences Inc., and has previously held leadership roles in women’s health and other therapeutic areas at Shionogi and Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada. Earlier in his career, Dr. Arjona Ferreira practiced as an OB-GYN in university hospitals and private practice.
As the firm’s CMO, Dr. Arjona Ferreira will be responsible for leading Organon’s Global Clinical Development, Clinical Trial Operations, Global Biostatistics, and Global Pharmacovigilance and Safety Science teams. Additionally, he will also lead strategy and execution across the company’s clinical development programs, support strong clinical engagement with regulatory authorities, and build and extend the company’s external stakeholder network worldwide.
Dr. Arjona Ferreira commented, “I’m thrilled to be joining the passionate Organon team at such a pivotal time as we’re building and advancing an industry-leading pipeline with both early and late-stage assets. I look forward to collaborating with our incredible network of partners and colleagues worldwide to maximize the potential of our innovations.”
Charlotte Owens
Dr. Owens joins Organon with over a decade of experience in the pharmaceutical and medical device industry, in addition to over 20 years practicing as an OB-GYN. Most recently, Dr. Owens served as VP and Head of the Center for Health Equity & Patient Affairs at Takeda.
Prior to Takeda, Dr. Owens was a leader in clinical development and medical affairs at AbbVie, Kimberly Clark, and Johnson & Johnson. She oversaw the direction, planning, execution, and interpretation of clinical trials to deliver high-quality clinical data, with a focus on women’s health as well as the therapeutic area’s scientific communications and educational efforts.
As Head of Medical Affairs and Outcomes Research, Dr. Owens will lead medical strategy and support of marketed and pipeline products around the globe, including health economics and outcomes research. She will develop and foster relationships with external organizations and experts to help ensure that Organon’s products continue to meet market needs, yield desired outcomes, and enhance the organization’s reputation with providers, payers and patients.
“Throughout my career, I have focused on addressing health inequities and creating a more inclusive health ecosystem. It’s an incredibly exciting and critical time to join this purpose-driven company that is leading the way in bridging gaps in women’s health – an area where attention, innovation and investment is so badly needed,” Dr. Owens commented on the role.
What do the appointments mean for Organon?
Commenting on the appointments of Dr. Arjona Ferreira and Dr. Owens, Dr. Milligan, said, “I’m confident Dr. Arjona Ferreira and Dr. Owens will help us drive forward our mission of delivering impactful medicines and solutions for a ‘healthier every day for every woman’.”
“With their deep expertise and strong relationships across the global healthcare community, I’m thrilled to have them both on board as we pursue our goal of accelerating innovation, improving access and expanding choice to help address therapeutic gaps around the world.”
