Working Life: Shire’s Mark Rus
pharmafile | November 10, 2014 | Feature | Manufacturing and Production, Medical Communications, Research and Development, Sales and Marketing | Shire, Working Life, mark rus, neuroscience
How did you find your way into your current role?
After completing an MSc in Economics at the London School of Economics, I began working in the federal government of Canada. I worked in the Privy Council Office for four years, which was the civil service support staff to the prime minister and cabinet of Canada.
I immensely enjoyed my time working in politics and government, however my goal was always to build a long-term career in the private sector. In particular, I always wanted to work in an international setting in an industry undergoing change, as I believe that change brings opportunity.
I joined Shire in 2006 when there were fewer than 1,000 employees. Now we have 6,000 globally. It’s been really exciting to be a part of such growth and change.
When I started at Shire, I began as European projects manager, supporting our new head of Speciality Pharma to set up a new pricing and reimbursement strategy and infrastructure team for Europe; beginning commercial planning efforts and strategy; and in many ways supporting him as an advisor in the same way I did in the political realm with the minister in Canada.
One of the tracks I got on in this role though was to begin to support Shire’s first global product launch planning efforts in the neuroscience area.
From Europe I went to the US, and spent several years leading salesforces in California, Connecticut, and New York State. This was an immensely enjoyable experience in terms of performance and learning.
After this I returned to Canada to lead commercial efforts in gastroenterology and nephrology, and then neuroscience, with a range of product, indication and new salesforce launches across that time.
Currently, as Shire’s vice president for international neuroscience, I lead and work with a team (from our international hub in Zug Switzerland) that supports our overall cross-functional strategy for launches, in-market performance, BD, and related strategy outside of the US.
How is your field changing?
I don’t think there has ever been a more exciting time to work in neuroscience. The drive for increased importance and visibility of mental health is gaining great momentum thanks to the outstanding collaboration of researchers, companies, advocacy groups, and most importantly patients. Stigma is being reduced.
Treatments are improving. And people are increasingly realising that, much like physical health is key to a happy and productive life, so is mental health. One of our main therapy areas in the neuroscience business unit is ADHD and the progress made here is very inspiring.
Its neurobiological basis is being increasingly recognised, but there’s still much more to do – we still need to work hard to reduce stigma and ensure that all people with the disorder are receiving the support, respect, attention, and optimal treatment they need. Shire also recently acquired a very compelling and important treatment that helps children with epilepsy.
What are the most enjoyable things about your role?
The interesting issues, people and the teams – I feel privileged to lead and work with such smart and interesting people. It’s especially rewarding when you’ve helped (or pushed) someone to learn or accomplish something they didn’t think was possible for them, and they succeed in new and exciting ways.
I love working across cultures and systems: one day working on a Japanese launch strategy update with our local partners there, then Brazil, then Europe.
Being able to see improvements in health outcomes, government financial outcomes, and most importantly changes in people’s lives for the better as a result of our work is incredibly rewarding. There are not many jobs where you can do well by doing good.
And the least enjoyable?
I dislike unnecessary, long, or repetitive meetings.
What are some of the most common misconceptions about your field and the people in it?
I don’t think people realise just how committed the vast majority of individuals in our industry are to making a real positive difference in peoples’ lives. We try as best as we can to provide better lives to people in some way.
Is there someone in your field from who have you learned a lot?
I think it’s important to try and learn whatever you can from everyone around you. The industry is filled with smart people who you can learn from.
It’s also, like any industry, got its fair share of misses and mistakes you can learn from as well. I learn new things every day, whether it be from my team, my peers, or Shire’s/industry leaders.
I am lucky enough to have a global role, so I constantly learn through unique local challenges, cultures and different healthcare systems as well.
Similarly, is there someone (or something) outside your field who has been a source of inspiration for you?
Working in government has given me a different, more understanding and flexible position to working with payers. I also understand what does or doesn’t drive decision making and policy prioritisation, and that our industry can continue to improve the ways in which we partner with governments, add value, and be true partners to solving large societal challenges.
I also believe it’s very important to look to other industries for ideas and influence, especially in pharma, where it’s easy to fall into routines and process-mentality.
I try to be curious and find myself looking outside the pharmaceutical industry for inspiration, whether that be talking to friends or colleagues working on start-up companies or in other industries such as finance, social entrepreneurship, consumer retail, etc. I’m bullish on the possibilities our changing world brings and the ambition of people who try to find improvements to things, not just incremental innovation.
Closer to home, my wife, daughter and parents have taught me how to enjoy different cultures, different ways of thinking about things, and be focussed on what really matters.
What’s the secret to a happy work life?
I’m still trying to figure it out! What I try to keep in mind, and advise others on, is that you really need to think long-term about what you want to be remembered for, how do you want to be remembered by your family? By your teammates at work? By friends? By stakeholders or people you interact with?
Whatever that is for you, keep it in mind and work towards that every day. Say no to things that don’t align with it whenever you can, but always try to stay open to new things, and recalibrate as necessary.
If you had advice for anyone starting out in your field now, what would it be?
It’s no secret or big insight to say that the pharmaceutical industry is currently undergoing great change, but it’s true. This will likely continue for many years, due to combination of continued scientific and research advances, new payer models for what are perceived to be high-cost medicines, emergence of new players in healthcare, continued M&A, etc.
My advice to anyone joining it is that they must, above all, be curious, willing to learn and thirsty for new knowledge. With so many shifts in how the industry works, people must be able to not only thrive in ambiguity, but seek it out and shape it.
If a person can embrace and seek new opportunities that change can bring, they have the chance to be very successful in this industry.
Career timeline
2002 – 2004
Policy advisor, Privy Council Office, Canada
2004-2006
Press secretary and policy advisor, Parliament of Canada
2006-2007
European projects manager, Shire
2008-2010
Regional director, Shire
2010-2014
Business unit director, Shire Canada
2014 onwards
Vice president – product strategy team lead, international neuroscience, Shire.
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