21 May 2026 - Utrecht
In this session, each panelist will share a bit about their journey, from where they started to how they reached their current roles. After the introductions, we’ll dive deeper into their unique career paths. Our speakers will discuss the key lessons they've learned along the way and offer valuable advice for women looking to follow in their footsteps. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from and connect with women who are making waves in the Life Sciences!
Speakers
Empower your career - Perspectives of Women
This session is powered by TOPX Network
Junda Kel | Director Global Business Development | Pharming
Junda has worked for 8 years at Pharming N.V., a biopharmaceutical company focused on rare diseases. During these years, she fulfilled four different roles. Her most recent role was Director of Global Business Development. In this role, she was responsible for identifying new opportunities—such as licensing deals, acquisitions, and partnerships—that could expand Pharming’s portfolio. Before that, she served as Program Director, where she managed the late-stage development and commercial launch of Joenja®, a therapy for rare immunological disorders. Earlier she was Director PMO and responsible for building Pharming’s Project Management Office (PMO) from the ground up. Initially, she joined Pharming Group as a Project Manager.
Before joining Pharming, Junda worked at Triskelion B.V., a contract research organization (CRO). As a Project Manager in Immunology, she managed preclinical research projects, ensuring they met scientific, regulatory, and commercial requirements. She also played a key role in expanding the immunology department, translating scientific expertise into services that met market demands.
Junda’s career started in academia, where she earned her PhD in Medicine from Leiden University, and thereafter worked as a postdoctoral researcher in Immunology at the Erasmus Medical Center and Amsterdam Medical Center.
Throughout her career, Junda has taken on diverse challenges—from lab-based research to commercial strategy—and has continuously developed her skills in project management, business development, and leadership. Her journey shows how you can transition from science to business, build expertise in different areas, and take on increasing responsibility in the biotech industry.
About Pharming
Pharming Group N.V. is a global biopharmaceutical company specializing in the development, production, and commercialization of innovative protein replacement therapies and precision medicines to serve the unserved rare disease patient. Founded in 1988 and headquartered in Leiden, the Netherlands, Pharming is dedicated to transforming the lives of patients with rare, debilitating, and life threatening diseases. Pharming is publicly traded on Euronext Amsterdam (PHARM) and the NASDAQ (PHAR).
The company’s lead product is RUCONEST® (conestat alfa), a recombinant human C1 esterase inhibitor, approved for the treatment of hereditary angioedema (HAE), a rare and potentially life-threatening genetic disorder. The second commercial product is JOENJA® (leniolisib), an oral, selective phosphoinositide 3-kinase delta (PI3Kδ) inhibitor, as a treatment for activated phosphoinositide 3-kinase delta syndrome (APDS), a rare primary immunodeficiency.
Pharming’s pipeline includes the development of leniolisib for additional primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs), including (1) genetically identifiable PIDs with immune dysregulation linked to altered PI3Kδ signaling and (2) common variable immunodeficiency, or CVID, with immune dysregulation identified independently of genetics.
Pharming also executes the development program of napazimone (KL1333) for mitochondrial DNA-driven primary mitochondrial disease. Mitochondrial disease is a rare and often very severe disease that occurs when the cell’s energy provider, the mitochondria, do not function properly. Napazimone (KL1333) is in a pivotal clinical study (FALCON), with a positive interim analysis achieved, in adult patients with genetically confirmed primary mitochondrial disease.
Pharming is recognized as a leader in rare disease therapeutics, combining scientific expertise with a strong focus on patient needs and global accessibility.
We are also developing rhC1INH for subsequent indications, including pre- eclampsia, Acute Kidney Injury and we are also investigating the clinical efficacy of rhC1INH in COVID-19.
In addition, we are studying our oral precision medicine, leniolisib (a phosphoinositide 3-kinase delta, or PI3K delta, inhibitor), for the treatment of activated PI3K delta syndrome, or APDS, in a registration enabling Phase 2/3 study in the US and Europe.
Furthermore, we are also leveraging our transgenic manufacturing technology to develop next-generation protein replacement therapies most notably for Pompe disease, which program is currently in the preclinical stage.
Junda Kel | Director Global Business Development | Pharming
Junda has worked for 8 years at Pharming N.V., a biopharmaceutical company focused on rare diseases. During these years, she fulfilled four different roles. Her most recent role was Director of Global Business Development. In this role, she was responsible for identifying new opportunities—such as licensing deals, acquisitions, and partnerships—that could expand Pharming’s portfolio. Before that, she served as Program Director, where she managed the late-stage development and commercial launch of Joenja®, a therapy for rare immunological disorders. Earlier she was Director PMO and responsible for building Pharming’s Project Management Office (PMO) from the ground up. Initially, she joined Pharming Group as a Project Manager.
Before joining Pharming, Junda worked at Triskelion B.V., a contract research organization (CRO). As a Project Manager in Immunology, she managed preclinical research projects, ensuring they met scientific, regulatory, and commercial requirements. She also played a key role in expanding the immunology department, translating scientific expertise into services that met market demands.
Junda’s career started in academia, where she earned her PhD in Medicine from Leiden University, and thereafter worked as a postdoctoral researcher in Immunology at the Erasmus Medical Center and Amsterdam Medical Center.
Throughout her career, Junda has taken on diverse challenges—from lab-based research to commercial strategy—and has continuously developed her skills in project management, business development, and leadership. Her journey shows how you can transition from science to business, build expertise in different areas, and take on increasing responsibility in the biotech industry.
About Pharming
Pharming Group N.V. is a global biopharmaceutical company specializing in the development, production, and commercialization of innovative protein replacement therapies and precision medicines to serve the unserved rare disease patient. Founded in 1988 and headquartered in Leiden, the Netherlands, Pharming is dedicated to transforming the lives of patients with rare, debilitating, and life threatening diseases. Pharming is publicly traded on Euronext Amsterdam (PHARM) and the NASDAQ (PHAR).
The company’s lead product is RUCONEST® (conestat alfa), a recombinant human C1 esterase inhibitor, approved for the treatment of hereditary angioedema (HAE), a rare and potentially life-threatening genetic disorder. The second commercial product is JOENJA® (leniolisib), an oral, selective phosphoinositide 3-kinase delta (PI3Kδ) inhibitor, as a treatment for activated phosphoinositide 3-kinase delta syndrome (APDS), a rare primary immunodeficiency.
Pharming’s pipeline includes the development of leniolisib for additional primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs), including (1) genetically identifiable PIDs with immune dysregulation linked to altered PI3Kδ signaling and (2) common variable immunodeficiency, or CVID, with immune dysregulation identified independently of genetics.
Pharming also executes the development program of napazimone (KL1333) for mitochondrial DNA-driven primary mitochondrial disease. Mitochondrial disease is a rare and often very severe disease that occurs when the cell’s energy provider, the mitochondria, do not function properly. Napazimone (KL1333) is in a pivotal clinical study (FALCON), with a positive interim analysis achieved, in adult patients with genetically confirmed primary mitochondrial disease.
Pharming is recognized as a leader in rare disease therapeutics, combining scientific expertise with a strong focus on patient needs and global accessibility.
We are also developing rhC1INH for subsequent indications, including pre- eclampsia, Acute Kidney Injury and we are also investigating the clinical efficacy of rhC1INH in COVID-19.
In addition, we are studying our oral precision medicine, leniolisib (a phosphoinositide 3-kinase delta, or PI3K delta, inhibitor), for the treatment of activated PI3K delta syndrome, or APDS, in a registration enabling Phase 2/3 study in the US and Europe.
Furthermore, we are also leveraging our transgenic manufacturing technology to develop next-generation protein replacement therapies most notably for Pompe disease, which program is currently in the preclinical stage.
Corina Ramers-Verhoeven | Director Public Affairs BENELUX | Gilead Sciences
Corina Ramers‑Verhoeven is Director of Public Affairs at Gilead BENELUX, where she leads corporate communications, public affairs, and stakeholder engagement across Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. She brings more than 25 years of experience across the pharmaceutical industry, government, and public health sectors. Prior to joining Gilead in 2024, she held senior leadership roles at Byondis, Janssen Vaccines & Prevention, Eli Lilly, Schering‑Plough, and Organon BioSciences. Corina holds an Executive MSc in Corporate Communications, is EUPATI‑trained, and has completed executive programmes at the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School and Stanford School of Medicine.
About Gilead Sciences
Gilead Sciences BENELUX is part of Gilead Sciences Inc., a U.S.-based global biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Foster City, California. For over three decades, Gilead has pursued and achieved medical breakthroughs with the goal of creating a healthier world for all people.The company is committed to advancing innovative medicines to prevent and treat life-threatening diseases, including HIV, viral hepatitis, COVID-19, cancer, and inflammation. Gilead operates in more than 35 countries worldwide.In the BENELUX region, around 1,000 colleagues work from offices in Amsterdam and Brussels, and from our Kite CAR T manufacturing site near Amsterdam. Together, we contribute to Gilead’s mission of discovering, developing, and delivering innovative therapies for people with life-threatening diseases.
Corina Ramers-Verhoeven | Director Public Affairs BENELUX | Gilead Sciences
Corina Ramers‑Verhoeven is Director of Public Affairs at Gilead BENELUX, where she leads corporate communications, public affairs, and stakeholder engagement across Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. She brings more than 25 years of experience across the pharmaceutical industry, government, and public health sectors. Prior to joining Gilead in 2024, she held senior leadership roles at Byondis, Janssen Vaccines & Prevention, Eli Lilly, Schering‑Plough, and Organon BioSciences. Corina holds an Executive MSc in Corporate Communications, is EUPATI‑trained, and has completed executive programmes at the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School and Stanford School of Medicine.
About Gilead Sciences
Filipa Carvalhal Marques | Senior Consultant | FFUND
I’m a life sciences consultant with a background in molecular biology, and at heart I’m someone who is endlessly curious about how science, people, and ideas come together. I started my career in academia, studying aging and gene regulation and spending many years doing research, including at the Weizmann Institute of Science. While I loved the science itself, I gradually realized that what I enjoyed most was helping shape ideas, connecting different fields and translating complex research into something that can actually move forward in the world. That led me to FFUND, where I now work with researchers, startups, and deep tech companies to develop funding strategies and turn ambitious scientific concepts into strong European grant proposals. I really enjoy working across disciplines, whether it’s MedTech, AI in health or sustainability and helping teams clarify their vision and build collaborations. Having lived for more than a decade in Israel and worked in international environments, I also value cultural perspectives and dialogue. Overall, I’m motivated by learning, by working with passionate people, and by helping good ideas find the support they need to become reality.
About FFUND
FFUND is a hands-on boutique life science consultancy based in the Netherlands. Our work sits at the intersection of science and strategy, bridging the gap between promising technology and the funding it needs to reach patients and markets. We work shoulder-to-shoulder with innovators to make them funding-ready: sharpening their story, strengthening their business fundamentals, and connecting them to the right network.
Filipa Carvalhal Marques | Senior Consultant | FFUND
I’m a life sciences consultant with a background in molecular biology, and at heart I’m someone who is endlessly curious about how science, people, and ideas come together. I started my career in academia, studying aging and gene regulation and spending many years doing research, including at the Weizmann Institute of Science. While I loved the science itself, I gradually realized that what I enjoyed most was helping shape ideas, connecting different fields and translating complex research into something that can actually move forward in the world. That led me to FFUND, where I now work with researchers, startups, and deep tech companies to develop funding strategies and turn ambitious scientific concepts into strong European grant proposals. I really enjoy working across disciplines, whether it’s MedTech, AI in health or sustainability and helping teams clarify their vision and build collaborations. Having lived for more than a decade in Israel and worked in international environments, I also value cultural perspectives and dialogue. Overall, I’m motivated by learning, by working with passionate people, and by helping good ideas find the support they need to become reality.
About FFUND
FFUND is a hands-on boutique life science consultancy based in the Netherlands. Our work sits at the intersection of science and strategy, bridging the gap between promising technology and the funding it needs to reach patients and markets. We work shoulder-to-shoulder with innovators to make them funding-ready: sharpening their story, strengthening their business fundamentals, and connecting them to the right network.
Moderator
Anne Vogel | Sr. Manager, Technical Strategy | Kite
Anne Vogel has been called “a nerd who can communicate”. She bridges the gap between deep scientific expertise and broad operational leadership. With a PhD in molecular biology and experience leading both large and small teams, she has transitioned from expert to generalist—now navigating both worlds with ease.
As a member of the leadership team of MSAT (Manufacturing Science and Technology) at Kite, Anne is involved in strategic decisions, technology transfers, implements operational excellence solutions, and contributes to project and portfolio management as well as resource planning. Her work ensures that innovation and execution go hand in hand in the dynamic field of advanced CAR T-cell therapies.
At the TOPX Summit 2025 session “Expert or Explorer? Navigating Career Growth as a Specialist or Generalist”, Anne brings her unique perspective on career evolution and communication across disciplines.
About Kite
Kite, a Gilead Company, is a global biopharmaceutical company based in Santa Monica, California. We are focused on achieving cures with cell therapy. As the global cell therapy leader, Kite has served more patients with CAR T-cell therapy than any other company. Kite has the largest in-house cell therapy manufacturing network in the world, spanning process development, vector manufacturing, clinical trial supply and product manufacturing. Our European cell therapy manufacturing facility is located in the Amsterdam area. With over 50 nationalities, our local culture can best be described as innovative, inspiring and multicultural.
Anne Vogel | Sr. Manager, Technical Strategy | Kite
Anne Vogel has been called “a nerd who can communicate”. She bridges the gap between deep scientific expertise and broad operational leadership. With a PhD in molecular biology and experience leading both large and small teams, she has transitioned from expert to generalist—now navigating both worlds with ease.
As a member of the leadership team of MSAT (Manufacturing Science and Technology) at Kite, Anne is involved in strategic decisions, technology transfers, implements operational excellence solutions, and contributes to project and portfolio management as well as resource planning. Her work ensures that innovation and execution go hand in hand in the dynamic field of advanced CAR T-cell therapies.
At the TOPX Summit 2025 session “Expert or Explorer? Navigating Career Growth as a Specialist or Generalist”, Anne brings her unique perspective on career evolution and communication across disciplines.
Kite, a Gilead Company, is a global biopharmaceutical company based in Santa Monica, California. We are focused on achieving cures with cell therapy. As the global cell therapy leader, Kite has served more patients with CAR T-cell therapy than any other company. Kite has the largest in-house cell therapy manufacturing network in the world, spanning process development, vector manufacturing, clinical trial supply and product manufacturing. Our European cell therapy manufacturing facility is located in the Amsterdam area. With over 50 nationalities, our local culture can best be described as innovative, inspiring and multicultural.
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