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CEO, AmyriAD

Rogers brings the strength of 35 years of pharma experience to AmyriAD. She is best known as the worldwide leader of and development strategist behind the highly successful Alzheimer’s treatment donepezil (Aricept), which has been the standard of care for more than 25 years. 

Her first start-up was leading Eisai’s fledgling US subsidiary before becoming VP of CR&D, Global Director of Strategic Portfolio Management, and Vice Chair of the Global Clinical Committee. 

With a BA from Capital University and a PhD from the Ohio State University College of Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, Rogers has been a lifetime entrepreneur. Outside of business, she enjoys cycling and long-distance running, with over a dozen marathons under her belt. 

She has served the US as an Olympic and World Championship figure skating judge.

We asked…

What would you say to people who think the small molecule drug development field lacks the same growth opportunities as biopharma and cell and gene?

 I would say they should expand their thinking and dig deeper into understanding how gene expression works. Cell communication, both within and between cells, is key to understanding both health and disease. Gene expression provides an end-product, but only after cell signaling creates a facilitating milieu for execution. Because of advances in genetic research, small molecule drug development is on the cusp of a breakthrough moment. We are learning more every day about how to manipulate signaling pathways in selective and highly specific ways. Small molecule intervention in cell communication will become scientifically elegant and sophisticated, and generate significantly more cost-effective therapeutics than biologics. 

 Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?

I enjoy people who have found a way to parlay their public platform and core talent into a voice that demonstrates the power of human compassion. In no particular order, I would love to share an evening of both cooking and dining with chef José Andrés, Jamie Raskin, Gloria Steinem, Jon Bon Jovi, Banksy, Caroline Randall Williams and Janet Yellen. An eclectic group, yes. But all are truly amazing and the conversation would be lively.