Alison Schecter BA, MD

Alison Schecter, M.D., is currently the Global Program Head, Rare Diseases at Sanofi -Genzyme leading external BD evaluation of clinical and preclinical assets as well as creating and implementing the strategic focus for the Rare Disease therapeutic area. Dr. Schecter, a physician-scientist, acts as the primary liaison between research and clinical development for internal and external programs in Rare Disease and adjacent therapeutic areas.

Prior to this, Dr. Schecter was Global Program Head at Baxalta - obtaining FDA/Japan approval for Adynovate and advancing the hemophilia portfolio culminating in its acquisition by Shire. Previously, Dr. Schecter was VP of Cardiovascular and Metabolism (CVM) External Innovation at the J&J Innovation Center, Boston, responsible for identifying novel product opportunities and technologies, leading cross-functional teams, both internally and externally, and jointly developing deal structures.

Her transition to pharma was leading Translational Medicine in CVM and rare indications at the Novartis Institutes of Biomedical Research (NIBR). Over 6 yrs., she provided the critical “clinical-scientific bridge” for biologics and small molecule NMEs, and responsible for multiple successful Proof of Concept (PoC) trials. In a global health role, Dr. Schecter led a program in Zambia to screen, identify, and treat children with rheumatic heart disease.

Dr. Schecter, a board certified cardiologist, is an internationally recognized expert in inflammation. As an Associate Professor at Mount Sinai in Immunology and Cardiology, her NIH-supported academic research focused on chemokine and cytokine signaling with > 50 peer-reviewed papers. She also established and Co-Directed of the Mount Sinai Cardiovascular Research Center and sat on NIH/AHA study sections. Alison did her Internal Medicine residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Cardiology fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital and a Research Fellowship at Mount Sinai School of Medicine.