Eli Lilly and Company has appointed Tayllit Aherdan as Vice President and General Manager for the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait. Aherdan will lead the company’s strategy and business across the three markets.
The appointment comes as Gulf countries continue to advance their healthcare transformation agendas. These efforts include greater focus on innovation, prevention, earlier intervention and access to advanced treatments.
Tayllit Aherdan brings international biopharma experience
Aherdan brings more than 20 years of international biopharmaceutical leadership experience. Her career has covered North Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Europe and other markets outside the United States.
Most recently, Aherdan served as Chief Marketing Officer for Lilly China. In that role, she led the development of digital transformation across the company’s commercial strategy in China.
Previously, Aherdan served as Vice President, International Oncology at Lilly. She oversaw pre launch and launch strategies across more than 100 markets in Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
Her international responsibilities included China and Japan. She also worked on strategies aimed at improving patient access to medicines across different healthcare systems.
Lilly leadership role covers three Gulf markets
As Vice President and General Manager, Aherdan will lead Lilly’s strategy across the UAE, Qatar and Kuwait. The company said her role will support its contribution to the healthcare priorities developing across these markets.
Aherdan will also work with governments, healthcare leaders and other partners across the healthcare ecosystem. Her remit includes supporting patient access, scientific exchange and sustainable healthcare innovation.
Under Aherdan’s leadership, Lilly will continue its work across cardiometabolic health, neuroscience, oncology and immunology. The company also plans to work with healthcare stakeholders across the three markets.
Aherdan said the Gulf is showing strong ambition in reshaping healthcare. She added that Lilly’s role goes beyond bringing scientific innovation to the region.
“Our opportunity extends beyond bringing scientific innovation to the region,” said Aherdan, Vice President and General Manager for the UAE, Qatar and Kuwait at Lilly. “It is about working alongside governments, healthcare leaders and partners to help translate innovation into meaningful impact for patients.”
Aherdan also said she would focus on Lilly’s existing foundations in the region. She highlighted investment in people and partnerships, alongside the development of healthcare systems focused on outcomes and long term value.
Lilly’s healthcare focus in the Gulf
Lilly is a medicine company focused on developing treatments for major health challenges. The company said its work includes diabetes care, obesity, Alzheimer’s disease, immune system disorders and cancer.
The company also develops clinical trials and works on improving access to its medicines. Lilly said these efforts include clinical trials that reflect population diversity and work to make medicines accessible and affordable.
Aherdan’s appointment places her at the head of Lilly’s business across the UAE, Qatar and Kuwait. Her previous experience across multiple regions and healthcare markets will form part of her leadership remit as the company continues its work across the Gulf.
