Alfred Mungai - Director of Business Development
Can you describe your role in simple terms for someone unfamiliar with the industry?
Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies must assess the safety and efficacy of drug candidates in humans before advancing in development, or achieving marketing approval. To streamline this clinical phase, they often partner with Clinical Research Organizations (CROs) that specialize in project managing clinical trials and obtaining the necessary clinical data.
I work for HungaroTrial CRO, which provides clinical trial services to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device companies in Central & Eastern Europe and the US. My role involves building and managing relationships with North American companies, analyzing clinical trial protocols, identifying eligible clinical sites and patients, and creating tailored proposals detailing how the company can support them. The role requires extensive travel to conferences for industry insights and networking.
If you had to pitch pharma as a career path to someone on the fence, what would you say?
The pharmaceutical industry is unique in that it offers constant learning and diverse roles to match various interests. It rewards creativity, teamwork, attention to detail, and adaptability in a fast-paced environment. Contributing to global health improvement, and access to drugs for all in society, is incredibly fulfilling, as my work benefits many every day.
While some believe that a medical degree or doctorate is necessary for success, a bachelor’s degree and dedication can also lead to career advancement. Personally, I chose not to pursue a medical or lab career but sought to merge business and economics with the pharmaceutical sector to influence global health decisions, which I do today.
Therefore, I'd encourage everyone to explore what interests them, create a list of companies that align with those interests, and connect with those whose job descriptions match what you find interesting. Simply reach out to learn more about their role and for advice-people are nicer than you'd think!
If you could give your younger self one piece of advice before entering this industry, what would it be?
Do not dampen your view of the best-case scenario, career-wise, because you think it's unrealistic. If you can imagine it, it's possible. Spend your time exploring how to make it your reality, and view failing as getting closer to your end goal. Also, don't be afraid of reaching out to people. Lastly, it's never a "No," just not the right time.
What would you say are the most important skills needed to progress into leadership roles in pharma?
Open-Mindedness: The chances of the first idea/proposition being the optimal one are rare. Therefore, be open to hearing different perspectives.
Teamwork: To increase the possibility of going further, go as a team, together, focused on the same end goal. Everyone is unique and brings a unique set of skills and experiences to a group. Leverage this fact, and you will go further. For example, if someone is more analytical, or communicative, allowing them to exhibit their strong traits will help to optimise whatever offering you have.
Clarity: Be clear in thought and communication. The best communicators are the ones who advance the furthest in this world. I learnt this from a recent Black Pharma event when Dominick Kennerson mentioned this during his panel session. The ones who get what they want tend to be the ones who are the most clear and concise in their speech.
What has been your most empowering moment as a Black professional in pharma? (#BlackInPharma)
Every day I work with some of the brightest and highest-performing risk-taking individuals in the industry. Being able to work closely to support them in achieving their goals of developing treatments for some of the most debilitating diseases in the world is massively rewarding. Then, being offered the opportunity to relocate to the United States to continue expanding the business was meaningful because it was always a goal of mine.
