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Team

Expertise, elevated.

As a boutique consulting firm focused on market access and reimbursement in the pharmaceutical industry, we have a solid track record as experts and trusted advisors and are committed to tailoring pharmaceutical communications solutions to help you achieve your goals.

Meet your dream team.

Jake

Jake Astill

Market Access Consultant

Tanja Babic

Tanja Babic

Principal Consultant

Helen Baldwin

Helen Baldwin

SLR Researcher

Josette Bitanga

Josette Bitanga

Project Manager

Chris Cooper

Chris Cooper

Information Scientist & SLR Researcher

Francisco Cruz

Francisco Cruz

Project Manager

Alexis

Alexis Cullen

Principal Consultant –
SLRs and Meta-analyses

Ellen Espiau

Ellen Espiau

Medical Communications Consultant

Amanda Kiemes

Amanda Kiemes

SLR Researcher

Robin Marwick

Robin Marwick

Medical Communications & Market Access Consultant

Lucia Massi

Lucia Massi

Medical Communications Consultant

Georghia Michael

Georghia Michael

Market Access Consultant

Angela Styhler

Angela Styhler

Market Access Consultant

Shawn McDonald

Shawn McDonald

Director of Operations

Mark Roberts

W. Mark Roberts

VP & Co-Founder

Sabrina Smith

Sabrina Smith

VP & Co-Founder

Jake

Jake Astill

Market Access Consultant

  • BSc, University of Guelph
  • MSc, University of Guelph

An integral member of the Stratenym team, Jake formulates strategic guidance for our clients, notably spearheading a new algorithm to guide market access teams on selecting and optimizing value messaging for different contexts. In his time with Stratenym, Jake has contributed to a diverse set of projects, from core value dossiers to submissions to HTA agencies in the UK, Canada, and Australia. Therapeutic areas he has worked on include advanced systemic mastocytosis, hereditary transthyretin-related amyloidosis, and primary hyperoxaluria type 1.

With an academic background in microbiology and immunology, Jake is a skilled research writer with over 25 peer-reviewed publications. He has previously led communications with regulatory agencies.

Jake lives in London, Ontario with his wife and young daughter. In his spare time, he enjoys golfing and going for long hikes with his family and two border collies.

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Tanja Babic

Tanja Babic

Principal Consultant

  • BSc, MSc, and PhD, University of Western Ontario

With nearly a decade of experience in medical writing, Tanja draws on her background in academic research and writing to develop compelling value stories across a variety of therapeutic areas. She has developed a wide range of value communications materials, including global value dossiers, clinical summaries, value briefs, and slide decks, and has also executed narrative and systematic literature reviews. In addition, she has supported the development of submissions to HTA agencies. Tanja has worked with large and mid-sized pharmaceutical and medical device companies. During her academic career, she authored 20 peer reviewed publications and taught courses in neuroscience and physiology.

At Stratenym, Tanja draws on her communications expertise to ensure the messaging behind the data comes through consistently and clearly.

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Helen Baldwin

Helen Baldwin

SLR Researcher

  • BSc and MSc, University of Nottingham
  • PhD, King’s College London

As a systematic review expert, Helen provides clients with the foundational data needed to inform economic models, indirect treatment comparisons, and reimbursement dossiers. At Stratenym, Helen has executed numerous systematic literature reviews used to support high-profile HTA submissions. She regularly advises on methodology and strategy.

Outside of Stratenym, Helen has substantial experience in the formulation and execution of systematic literature reviews with academic, industry, charity, and government commissioners and collaborators.

She has also published extensively in specialist peer-reviewed journals. Helen has held research positions with a number of top academic institutions in the UK, including University of Oxford, University of Edinburgh, University College London, and the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

Outside of work, Helen can usually be found in her local yoga studio, with her nose buried in a good book, exploring new spots across London, or planning her next trip somewhere in the mountains.

Josette Bitanga

Josette Bitanga

Project Manager

  • BSc, McGill University

Josette has experience managing a wide range of projects for pharmaceutical clients, from manuscripts with external HCP authors to multi-phase systematic reviews that support HTA submissions. With her natural talent for client care, she builds strong connections across project stakeholders to successfully execute high-profile mandates. Over the years, she has become a subject matter expert on pharmaceutical compliance and regulatory affairs, while gaining expertise across a variety of scientific disciplines.

At Stratenym, Josette combines her solid scientific knowledge and passion for communications in every project she manages. Her expertise in communications, enhanced knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry, and commitment to client service helps drive her projects to success.

She currently resides in the countryside just outside of Ottawa, Canada. When she’s not managing projects, she loves to go out on light hikes with her son, pug, and husky mix. She’s also a “wannabe maker”, knitting and sewing for friends and family.

Chris Cooper

Chris Cooper

Information Scientist & SLR Researcher

  • BA (Hons), University of London
  • MA (LIS), University College London
  • PhD, University of Exeter

Chris is an experienced information professional and systematic reviewer. As the former deputy-director of a UK-based, evidence review group (PenTAG), Chris has worked on each of the Health Technology Assessment workstreams under NICE and he has significant experience in other NICE workstreams, such as public health and clinical guidelines.

At Stratenym, Chris has conceptualized and executed searches for 10+ systematic literature reviews (SLRs), many of which have been used to support HTA submissions to NICE in the UK, PBAC in Australia, and CADTH in Canada, among others.

His expertise in SLR methodology and best practices ensures that key research questions important to payers are thoroughly investigated in the literature—this evidence base serves as a firm foundation to build upon in further market access and reimbursement activities.

Chris is based in the UK, just outside of London. He’s interested in rowing, and he likes to spend time with his wife and son traveling to new places.

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Francisco Cruz

Francisco Cruz

Project Manager

  • BEcon, Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo
  • MDEyPP, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
  • Project Management Graduate Certificate, Sheridan College

Francisco is a Certified Scrum Master, PMP, and Prosci Change Practitioner with a strong understanding of theoretical and practical project management, strategic planning, and quality management. With 14+ years in the field, he has experience planning, executing, and monitoring non-profit and public and private sector projects. Francisco approaches his projects with a collaborative and positive spirit, ensuring all stakeholders benefit from his enthusiasm and drive. His innate problem-solving, multi-tasking, and time management skills, along with keen attention to detail, contribute to the success of every project he works on.

At Stratenym, Francisco applies his expertise to many high-profile projects including HTA submissions throughout Europe and Canada, internal value stories and objection handlers, as well as multi-phase systematic literature reviews.

Francisco enjoys outdoor activities like playing baseball and riding the bike with his daughter. But he’s also a good house-husband, taking care of the “undesired” housekeeping chores because he thinks it gives him time to organize his thoughts while others are not around!

Alexis

Alexis Cullen

Principal Consultant – SLRs and Meta-analyses

  • BSc, University of Reading
  • MSc, King’s College London
  • PhD, King’s College London

Alexis is a senior researcher with 17+ years of experience conducting healthcare research at world-renowned medical research centres. Alexis has extensive experience in manuscript writing and editing, grant writing, producing conference abstracts and presentations, statistical analysis, and project management. She has advanced skills in systematic reviews and meta-analysis, with 8+ years of experience leading evidence synthesis projects across a wide range of medical conditions. At Stratenym, Alexis makes pivotal contributions to systematic literature reviews, meta-analyses, and manuscripts.

Over the past 14 years she has taught epidemiology and research methods at King’s College London and the Karolinska Institutet. Her areas of expertise include psychiatric disorders, epidemiology, neurobiology, and developmental psychopathology. Through her research, she has achieved international recognition as an expert in the etiology of schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders.

When Alexis is not working on systematic reviews, she spends her time pampering her cats, working out, and binging TV series!

Ellen Espiau

Ellen Espiau

Medical Communications Consultant

  • MSc in Pharmacy (equivalent), Ludwig-Maximilians-University Certificate in
  • Technical and Scientific Writing, San Diego State University

With more than 20 years of medical writing and editing expertise, Ellen holds professional degrees in Pharmacy and Technical and Scientific Writing. She has extensive experience in health technology assessment, including writing reports on new medical technologies in support of healthcare decisions for a large health insurer. At Stratenym, Ellen has contributed to the development of a wide range of deliverables, such as HTA dossiers, systematic literature reviews, payer value decks, and payer elevator pitches.

Ellen’s diverse background also includes developing sales-force training materials for major pharmaceutical corporations, crafting B2B communications for insurance consulting, editing international treatment guidelines, and creating materials for continuing medical education (CME).

Fluent in both English and German, Ellen edits clinical research papers written by researchers whose first language is not English. Her work has spanned multiple therapeutic areas including oncology, infectious disease, dermatology, cardiology, and hematology.

In her free time, Ellen enjoys music, art, and learning new languages. She has lived in three different countries and loves all animals, big and small.

Amanda Kiemes

Amanda Kiemes

SLR Researcher

  • BSocSci, University of Hong Kong
  • MSc, King’s College London
  • PhD, King’s College London

Amanda is a systematic literature review researcher with 5+ years of experience in scientific research and writing. Her previous work includes leading and executing systematic literature reviews and meta-analyses with a focus on in vivo brain biomarker outcomes. Amanda has a background in clinical and preclinical experimental medicine, psychopharmacology and neuroimaging. Her expertise is in neurobiology, cognition, and psychiatric disorders.

With a strong foundation of translational research, she is familiar with a diverse set of research techniques and designs. Combining her experience and a passion for knowledge, she accurately delineates complex information into high-quality appraisals of scientific literature.

Robin Marwick

Robin Marwick

Medical Communications & Market Access Consultant

  • BSc, McGill University

Over a 25-year career, Robin has worked with pharmaceutical companies, professional associations, healthcare professionals, scientists, and non-profit organizations to produce clear, compelling, and reader-friendly medical content.

At Stratenym, she has edited HTA dossiers, objection handlers, and manuscripts, and has been a pivotal contributor to systematic literature reviews. She has experience across a number of different therapeutic areas, including endocrinology, gynecology, psychiatry, otolaryngology, oncology, neurology, and pediatrics.

Robin has a chemistry degree from McGill University. She is a board-certified Editor in the Life Sciences (ELS) and a certified structural, stylistic, and copy editor through Editors Canada. Her keen eye for detail ensures that all her deliverables are top quality, from the first draft to the final one.

In her spare time, Robin sings alto in a community choir, pats as many dogs as possible, and is reading her way through an enormous pile of books; she is on track to finish by approximately 2107.

Lucia Massi

Lucia Massi

Medical Communications Consultant

  • MSc, University of Bologna
  • PhD, Imperial College London

With a Master’s degree in chemistry and pharmaceutical technologies, a PhD in drug delivery nanotechnology, and 10+ years of experience in scientific research and writing, Lucia’s expertise in pharmacology and her keen eye for detail ensures every project is well thought out and of top-tier quality. Lucia is highly adept at zeroing in on the key differentiation points that set our clients’ products apart from competitors in the marketplace.

Lucia offers expertise across a broad range of deliverables, including dossiers, clinical summaries, literature reviews, manuscripts, and conference posters and abstracts.

For each mandate, she evaluates the messaging in relation to the target audience and tailors the value proposition for greatest impact.

She has experience in numerous therapeutic areas, including, but not limited to, neurology, rheumatology, infectious diseases, and respiratory conditions. She cultivates a collaborative, team-oriented atmosphere and brings a fresh perspective to every project.

When she is not working, Lucia can be found running, reading a book while sipping coffee, or conquering the world with her young son.

Georghia Michael

Georghia Michael

Market Access Consultant

  • BSc, Kings College London, University of London
  • MSc, University of Hertfordshire
  • PhD, University of Strathclyde MWC, American Medical Writers Association
  • MWC, American Medical Writers Association

Georghia’s academic background in cardiology and 10+ years of experience writing for pharmaceutical companies, medical communication companies, and not-for-profit organizations form the foundation of her expertise. She has experience across a wide range of therapeutic areas, including endocrinology, dermatology, gastroenterology, hematology, oncology, and rheumatology.

Georghia is an expert in developing reimbursement dossiers for orphan products in rare diseases, including submissions to NICE, CADTH, INESSS, and private payers. She collaborates with clients on responses to post-submission requests from HTA agencies, creates compelling value message decks and objection handlers, and executes systematic and targeted literature reviews.

Georghia uses her natural talent for content development to successfully distill and communicate complex medical evidence and create compelling strategic messages that prioritize both the audience and client. With Georghia’s extensive healthcare knowledge and her hands-on expertise in HTA, clients can rely on her as an experienced collaborator and advisor as they pursue reimbursement.

Georghia has made Québec, Canada her home since 2008. She has accumulated clothing and sports equipment to hike and bike whatever the season, and can often be found exploring the countryside in her free time.

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Angela Styhler

Angela Styhler

Market Access Consultant

  • BSc, McGill University
  • MSc, McGill University

With 15 years of academic and industry research experience and 10+ years in medical communications, Angela’s in-depth knowledge of the clinical landscape allows her to develop impactful pieces and messaging that convey real-world meaning to payers.

At Stratenym, Angela has developed and advised on HTA and reimbursement dossiers for numerous agencies in Europe (including TLV, ZIN, KCE, and SMC) and AMCP. In addition to reimbursement submissions, she also has expertise in conducting systematic literature reviews aligned with international guidance, including those used to support NICE HTA submissions in the UK, payer value decks, elevator pitches (targeted value messaging), and posters.

Angela has experience writing about a broad range of therapeutic areas, including oncology, immunology, metabolic disorders, inflammatory diseases, infectious diseases, and psychiatric disorders.

Angela’s cross-functional expertise ensures clients have unparalleled support as products approach market access launch.

Angela is based in Montreal. In her free time, Angela can be found hiking in the woods, exploring Montreal’s vibrant food scene, reading her favourite books by the fire, and creating culinary delights for her family and friends.

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Shawn McDonald

Shawn McDonald

Director of Operations

  • BKin, University of Calgary
  • BEd, University of Calgary
  • MBA, University of Calgary

Shawn brings 18+ years of progressive leadership experience in operational roles that include management of multi-unit, cross-functional teams in environments that can be described as fast-paced, ambiguous, and challenging. He has direct experience working with traditional brands delivering consumer goods and services at the retail, wholesale, and distribution levels as well as managing digital-first and tech enabled brands operating globally. Throughout his career Shawn has worked within highly regulated industries that are globally connected and has a deep understanding between executing on delivery while integrating external stakeholder requirements.

Maintaining a steadfast desire to engage and fulfil the needs of stakeholders and clients alike, Shawn takes a client and customer-centric approach when framing internal processes, always making partner success the top priority.

With the Canadian Rockies as a backdrop, Shawn and his family enjoy exploring the beautiful landscape and endless opportunities for adventure available to them.

Mark Roberts

W. Mark Roberts

VP & Co-Founder

  • BSc (Hons) and MSc, University of British Columbia
  • MA and PhD, Princeton University

Mark has worked in medical communications since 2003 and has supported the development of numerous submissions and post-submission responses to NICE and other HTA agencies around the world, as well as GVDs, value message maps, SWOT analyses, and objection handlers. Companies that have benefited from his consulting support include AbbVie, Actelion/Janssen, Allergan, Alnylam, Amgen, argenx, Ariad, Baxter, Biotronik, Blueprint, Ferring, Incyte, Myovant, NovoNordisk, Paladin, Pfizer, Sobi, and Triton. Mark’s long career in the field features a strong focus on orphan indications.

Mark is an expert on effective presentation of research findings, including for such specialized topics as cost-effectiveness analysis, retrospective database analysis, and patient-reported outcomes.

From 2006–2009, Mark was the Managing Editor at IC Axon, where he supervised the medical writer team creating content for innovative sales training for clients in the pharmaceutical industry. Prior to this position, Mark was a Senior Research Application Associate at BioMedCom Consultants, where he developed projects for clients in industry and academia. He has also taught courses in biostatistics and experimental methods at McGill University.

Mark lives in Montreal, a city whose vibrant restaurant and cultural scenes keep him and his wife well stocked for date nights.

Sabrina Smith

Sabrina Smith

VP & Co-Founder

  • BSc, Dalhousie University
  • MSc, McGill University

Sabrina has 15+ years of experience in medical communications. Over the span of her career, she has provided her expertise to stakeholders at AbbVie, Actelion/Janssen, ADC Therapeutics, Alnylam, Amgen, argenx, Ariad, Beam Therapeutics, Incyte, Leo Pharma, Novartis, Paladin, Shire, Takeda, and Tesaro, among others. At Stratenym, she provides strategic guidance on medical communications and market access initiatives, as well as directly developing scientific content.

Sabrina has extensive HTA experience, having developed submissions for more than 15 reimbursement authorities. She has also conducted systematic literature reviews for NICE submissions, written and edited global value dossiers and value stories, and created evidence generation plans and gap analyses.

With expertise in value-driven and evidence-based communications, her work has led to several HTA agency recommendations for product reimbursement.

Prior to Stratenym, Sabrina held senior roles at two international communications companies where she led teams on several high-profile sales training, disease awareness, and market access initiatives.

Sabrina is based in Nova Scotia—Canada’s ocean playground. When she’s not working, she is attempting to be a good soccer mom, trying to train her dogs not to snuggle with every human that comes within two feet of them, and cleaning beach sand out of her car.