Felipe Navarrera
LATAM Medical Affairs & Market Access RWE and HEOR head
Bogotá
Summary
Internationally accredited Medical Affairs leader with 18+ years of experience shaping medical strategy, market access, and real-world evidence across Latin America. Proven record in: Driving early diagnosis initiatives and accelerating patient access to innovative therapies. Securing multi-country regulatory and reimbursement approvals for innovative and high-cost products. Building and leading high-performance medical affairs, RWE, and HEOR teams. Establishing patient-centric, cross-functional medical functions that bridge science, access, and business outcomes. Recognized for strategic vision, stakeholder engagement, and business acumen, consistently delivering measurable impact in evidence generation, patient access, and value demonstration.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
2
2
Certifications
2
2
Languages
Work History
Principal Associate LATAM for RWE, HEOR & Medical Affairs
IQVIA
02.2024 - Current
- Lead the growth strategy for Medical Affairs & Market access RWE and HEOR business across the region, ensuring the successful execution of the area business plans.
- Provide Pharma Medical Affairs and Market Access teams in LATAM with the most up to date and innovative solutions supporting health technology adoption in LATAM Countries.
- Oversaw client-facing project management, cost control, and client satisfaction, aligning team efforts with business needs.
- Consolidate a multidisciplinary team of epidemiologists, biostatisticians, data scientists, economists, anthropologists, pharmacists and physicians across LATAM, positioning IQVIA as the best partner to execute medical affairs and market access strategies.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
Medical Affairs Consultant
Colombia Scope LATAM
01.2022 - 02.2024
- Supported the accreditation of Medical Affairs in LATAM through the Accreditation Council of Medical Affairs
- Led preparedness activities for the Colombian Association of Medical Affairs Foundation.
- Conducted scientific training for start-ups and served as an international speaker on medical affairs topics.
- Developed speaker training sessions for KOLs and mentored international medical affairs professionals.
- Teacher in the role of physicians in the pharmaceutical industry degree, endorsed by Colegio Médico Colombiano.
- Facilitated workshops to drive stakeholder engagement and gather project requirements.
- Mentored junior and senior medical affairs professionals, fostering skills development and knowledge sharing.
Rare diseases /gene therapy focus area working group member
Medical Affairs Professional Society (MAPS)
04.2022 - 06.2023
- Co-create a community that advances the role of Medical Affairs as fully integrated strategic business partners to promote the growth of Medical Affairs Professionals within the Rare Disease/Gene Therapy sector worldwide.
- Develop the Rare Disease/Gene Therapy community within MAPS to become the premier global destination for Rare Disease/Gene Therapy MA professionals.
- Catalyze our individual personal leadership development and professional career advancement.
Medical Director, Latin America North/LATAM CLN2 Medical Therapeutic Area Lead
BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc
07.2014 - 07.2021
- Operate with BioMarin’s Central America and Andean Commercial team to drive early diagnosis, timely and multidisciplinary treatment, and sustain follow-up of patients with the diseases addressed by the company.
- Collaborate with local and regional Medical Societies on scientific defense plans and advocacy to counter any Ministry of Health adverse reimbursement decisions.
- Introduced a company-sponsored Patient Support Program to improve adherence and generate health outcomes for reimbursement purposes, enhancing the credibility of the medical department’s work in developing value.
- Developed and implemented strategic initiatives to enhance patient care and operational efficiency.
- Streamlined healthcare processes for increased efficiency and better patient outcomes.
- Contributed to the growth and success of the organization by participating in regional and national conferences, sharing best practices with industry peers.
- Overcame the Colombian Review Commission’s initial negative opinion of Vimizim, gaining the National Food and Drug Surveillance Institute’s (INVIMA) marketing approval for the USD 350K pp product with cumulative sales of USD 200M.
- Gained USD 55M from the newly established Named Patient Sales Program, allowing individual access to drug therapies before full marketing approval.
- Headed the successful implementation of a phase 1 study for patients with Sanfilippo IIIB Syndrome (MPS IIIB) and a phase 3 trial for Morquio A Syndrome (MPS IV A).
Medical Manager, Andean Countries
Hospira Inc.
06.2012 - 07.2014
- Established the Medical Affairs function for the Andean countries, fostering strategic partnerships and transparent communication.
- Developed business intelligence and clinical information tools, including a LATAM dashboard to track Medical Affairs KPIs.
- Published sedation guidelines for regional ICU use, supporting the use of a new sedation mechanism of action in the Colombia.
- Developed and implemented strategic medical protocols to enhance patient outcomes.
- Coordinated training programs to elevate team competency and improve operational effectiveness.
- Coordinated multidisciplinary care efforts to provide comprehensive support for patients with complex medical needs.
Education
Master of Business Administration - MBA
Universidad de la Sabana INALDE Business School
Bogotá, ColombiaMaster of Pharmaceutical Medicine - undefined
European School of Pharmastudies
Madrid, SpainDoctor of Medicine - undefined
Universidad Nacional de Colombia
Bogotá, ColombiaSkills
Medical Affairs
Certification
Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS), Accreditation Council for Medical Affairs (ACMA)
Accomplishments
- Market Access Leadership: implementation of Market Access & HTA strategies across Latin America for several pharma companies. Secured marketing and reimbursement approvals across LATAM, overcoming regulatory challenges and enabling access to therapies valued at up to USD 700K per patient per year.
- Evidence Generation: Lead the RWE management strategy for different Pharma companies, including Gap Analysis and Integrated Evidence Generation Plans. Lead the publication of 12 peer-reviewed articles and posters in international congresses demonstrating real-world outcomes to support the adoption of innovative therapies.
- Patient-Centric Innovation: Developed and launched early access programs and Patient Support Programs in LATAM, directly enhancing adherence, patient advocacy, multidisciplinary management, outcomes measurement with RWE Generation, and payer negotiations.
- Business Growth: Led regional HEOR, RWE, and Medical Affairs operations at top multinational companies, driving portfolio expansion and revenue and EBITDA growth.
- Thought Leadership: International speaker, MAPS working group contributor, and mentor to Medical Affairs professionals across LATAM. Teacher in medical affairs capabilities for Colegio Médico Colombiano and EAN.
Affiliations
Colegio Médico Colombiano - Professor at the degree in Medical Affairs
Accreditation Council for Medical Affairs - Accredited Medical Affairs Professional (expires in 2027)
Timeline
Principal Associate LATAM for RWE, HEOR & Medical Affairs
IQVIA
02.2024 - Current
Rare diseases /gene therapy focus area working group member
Medical Affairs Professional Society (MAPS)
04.2022 - 06.2023
Medical Affairs Consultant
Colombia Scope LATAM
01.2022 - 02.2024
Medical Director, Latin America North/LATAM CLN2 Medical Therapeutic Area Lead
BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc
07.2014 - 07.2021
Medical Manager, Andean Countries
Hospira Inc.
06.2012 - 07.2014
Master of Pharmaceutical Medicine - undefined
European School of Pharmastudies
Doctor of Medicine - undefined
Universidad Nacional de Colombia
Master of Business Administration - MBA
Universidad de la Sabana INALDE Business School