How do you approach managing legal aspects during periods of instability or crises, and how does your legal strategy align with the broader business strategy to ensure the organisation’s resilience? 

The legal team must focus on the business strategy and priorities and the identified risky areas. Lawyers must understand the market dynamic and be included in the projects at the very beginning to be able to open as many legal possibilities as possible. It starts with adopting agile ways of working and joining business teams.

What strategic priorities are guiding you and your team in 2024?

We are focusing on the riskiest areas (competition, interactions with healthcare professionals and organisations, access regulation), focusing on the company business priorities, open discussions with business teams, raising the awareness of the business teams, and being included in the business plan exercise.

What measures has your company taken to embed sustainability practices into its core business operations, and how does the role of the general counsel contribute to driving and ensuring sustainable practices within the company?

Compliance, anti-corruption and anti-gift laws are included in our culture and promoted-embedded by the top management. Sustainability is fully included in our offers, is a part of our product value and at the heart of our strategy; I am fully involved in our sustainability practices in promoting an integrated compliance governance (risk mapping, mitigation plans, audits and controls, corrective measures, communication, annual reports). We put patient interests at the heart of our decisions.

What emerging technologies do you see as having the most significant impact on the legal profession in the near future, and how do you stay updated on these developments? 

Of course, emerging technologies, AI, and digital projects have already had a huge impact on our activities.  Lawyers, the data privacy officer and experts are already involved or lead work packages around emerging technologies and to implement the right governance to foster their inclusion in our business. This is also included in their personal development plans.