Risk and Reward: Namrata Saroj’s Journey to Bio Science Leadership
This interview is particularly special to me, as I’ve known our guest, Namrata Saroj for decades. While I always enjoy discussing leadership and team building with a successful executive, when the interviewee is a close friend I admire, respect, and know intimately, the conversation takes on additional meaning. Namrata was my college Resident Advisor, sorority sister, co-worker at our school’s Office of Admission, and a person whose intellect and character have always inspired me to be a better version of myself. I have watched Namrata build her impressive career over the years, cheering her on and celebrating her many accomplishments, even if they looked a little different than her original plan. It was always a given Nam would be a doctor. To see her change course, find success in an industry she never anticipated joining, then turn around and use her success to help build companies at all stages, is unexpected, beautiful, and somehow exactly right. Hearing her thoughts on the topics we cover on Hiring For Good was inspiring to me professionally, but the experience was made richer by my pride in my amazing friend and my great love for her. What a gift to watch someone you knew as a young adult build a tremendous professional life for themselves through hard work, brilliance, ambition, and the willingness to take chances. Have fun listening to this fascinating and fun conversation with Namrata!
Namrata’s Bio
Namrata Saroj, OD is an independent biotech consultant with over 20 years of experience focusing on global development and commercialization of new drugs and technologies advancing Ophthalmic care. Her extensive understanding of the Ophthalmology clinical and commercial landscapes is founded on her diverse experiences working across multiple programs. She has been a significant contributor towards the commercialization of both Lucentis and Eylea, two of the most successful biologic products in this sector. Dr. Saroj’s leadership has been recognized through her vast network of prominent clinical and industry leaders. She has co-authored several peer-reviewed publications in management of Ophthalmic diseases.
Currently, Dr. Saroj is a Principal of All Eyes Consulting, LLC ollaborating with companies across various stages from early start-ups to late-stage development and commercialization. In this capacity, she has effectively helped these companies with strategic partnerships, clinical development and trial enrollment, launch preparation commercialization support. She is the co-founder and Chief Scientific Lead of Clinical Trials Resource Group, a CRO focused on executing Ophthalmology clinical trials.
Prior to this, she led the Ophthalmology Medical Affairs team as an Executive Director at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc integrally involved in the global commercialization of Eylea, with an annual multibillion dollar revenue since launch. Dr. Saroj has previously held positions at Genentech and Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital.
Dr. Saroj is the President of Association for Macular Diseases, a non-profit organization offering support to individuals, their families, friends, and the professional community.
She earned her Doctor of Optometry from the University of California at Berkeley. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Optometry from the University of California at Berkeley and a Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry from Whittier College.