Sophie Kornowski: From Medicine Taste-Tester to Data-Driven Dealmaker at Boston Pharmaceuticals

In a career spanning decades across the pharmaceutical industry, Sophie Kornowski has emerged as a prominent figure known for her data-driven approach to dealmaking and company leadership. As the outgoing CEO of Boston Pharmaceuticals, Kornowski's journey from childhood medicine taste-tester to accomplished executive offers valuable insights into the evolving landscape of drug development and corporate strategy.

A Pharmaceutical Heritage and Diverse Career Path

Growing up in Paris with a pharmacist father, Kornowski's early exposure to the world of medicine laid the foundation for her future career. Despite initially aspiring to become an actress, she eventually found her way back to pharmaceuticals, drawn by the chemistry and patient-focused aspects of the field.

Kornowski's professional journey has been marked by diverse experiences across multiple pharmaceutical giants. Starting at Abbott Diagnostics, she progressed through roles at Sanofi, Merck, and eventually Roche, where she served as head of partnering. Her tenure at Roche was particularly notable, with over half of the company's pipeline molecules resulting from deals she executed during her time there.

Data-Driven Decision Making at Boston Pharmaceuticals

In 2022, Kornowski took the helm as CEO of Boston Pharmaceuticals, tasked with overhauling the company's strategy. Faced with an overflowing pipeline of projects, she made the difficult decision to narrow the company's focus, primarily to liver disease candidates, including the FGF21 analog efimosfermin alfa.

Kornowski's approach to this significant shift was rooted in data analytics and benchmarking. "It's not instinct. It's not vision. It's data," she emphasized, highlighting her commitment to evidence-based decision-making. This data-centric philosophy extends beyond strategic planning to her leadership style, using hard data to navigate complex business landscapes and bring her team along with challenging decisions.

The Power of Due Diligence and Future Prospects

As Boston Pharmaceuticals winds down operations following the sale of its lead Phase III liver disease asset to GSK for up to $2 billion, Kornowski reflects on the importance of thorough due diligence in the biotech industry. Drawing from her experiences with both successful and unsuccessful deals at Roche, she advises biotech companies to "do your work really thoroughly and be ready to show it all in minute detail, because this is what due diligence is going to be like."

Looking ahead, Kornowski is exploring new opportunities, including potential board seats and a possible return to Switzerland. While another CEO role isn't off the table, she remains open to various paths in the pharmaceutical industry. Regardless of her next move, Kornowski's legacy at Boston Pharmaceuticals, particularly in advancing treatments for previously underserved conditions like MASH (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis), underscores her enduring commitment to improving patient outcomes through innovative pharmaceutical development.