DR MARIA ORR

Head of Precision Medicine, Biopharmaceuticals, Precision Medicine and Biosamples, AstraZeneca

Maria is Head of Precision Medicine for Biopharmaceuticals within Precision Medicine and Biosamples (PMB). In this role she leads the delivery of precision medicines and their associated companion diagnostics for drugs across a diverse range of therapeutic areas including cardiovascular, renal, metabolism (CVRM), respiratory and immunology (R&I), microbial science and neuroscience.
Maria has extensive experience in the field of precision medicine and companion diagnostic development. She has contributed to the successful launch of three (3) personalised treatments (Lynparza, Tagrisso and Iressa) and the delivery of twenty-three (23) companion diagnostic assays to the market to date.

Whilst driving these activities Maria has contributed to setting multiple world leading regulatory precedents in the precision medicine field including the delivery of the first tumour suppressor gene as a CDx, the first lab developed test as a CDx and the first variant classification process approved as part of a CDx thus establishing AstraZeneca as an industry leader in the precision medicine field.
Maria’s extensive experience in patient segmentation biomarkers is complemented by a broad experience of utilising clinical biomarkers in projects to drive early go/no-go decision making. Although vastly experienced in oncology Maria’s knowledge covers several other therapeutic areas including respiratory, inflammation, cardiovascular disease, neuroscience and infection.

Internationally recognised as an expert in the field of precision medicine and clinical biomarkers, Maria has a track record of presentation at international conferences, publication in peer reviewed journals and is a guest lecturer at the University of Cambridge, Manchester and Liverpool. Maria currently represents AstraZeneca on the Precision Medicine Working Group of the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA).