Blueprint Medicines

Ulf Staginnus

With nearly 30 years of global experience in the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors, Ulf Staginnus has held leadership roles across market access, pricing, and strategy in large and innovative biotech companies. Currently at Blueprint Medicines, Staginnus is known for building organizations across Europe, particularly in rare diseases and oncology, and for driving patient-focused, data-driven access strategies.

My professional journey into healthcare and market access began with an academic path ahead of its time. I studied economics at the University of Bayreuth in Bavaria, Germany—one of the first institutions in Europe to offer a dedicated major in health economics. I was always drawn to the intersection of medicine and economics, and this unique opportunity set the foundation for what has become an international career spanning nearly 30 years.

From my early days at big pharma, including Pfizer in New York, to more recent roles at nimble biotech firms like Blueprint Medicines, I’ve embraced the diverse and dynamic nature of our industry. Over the last decade, I’ve been based in Switzerland, contributing to the build-out of various organizations focused on rare diseases and oncology. What I find particularly energizing is biotech companies' hands-on, can-do culture, where I’ve helped expand businesses across Europe and beyond.

Empowerment and Clarity in a Regulated World

In our highly regulated, global environment, I’ve learned that leadership is most effective when built on empowerment, open dialogue, and flexibility. I believe in taking a step back to see the big picture—what truly matters—and then giving talented teams the trust and strategic direction they need to execute. It’s less about when or where the work gets done and more about aligning on what needs to be achieved and why.

Too often in our industry, we overcomplicate processes and burden decision-making. Senior leadership plays a crucial role in ensuring early data generation leads to a clear, differentiated value proposition—one that supports long-term commercial success. Trust, focus, and clarity are the anchors that allow empowered teams to deliver strong results, even in the face of complexity.

Navigating Complexity with Strategic Calm

Global pricing and market access have become increasingly intricate, with a landscape marked by constant reform, inconsistency, and learning. It’s essential to stay informed and maintain a calm and strategic mindset. Not every headline warrants a reaction.

Instead, I advocate for a clear-eyed, self-critical view of our assets. What does the data really show? What value does it offer to patients, payers, and providers? This honest assessment should then be pressure-tested against the external environment. In a resource-constrained world, prioritization is key—pushing forward a mediocre asset too long could divert resources from one with the potential to truly make a difference.

Adapting Across Sectors

Having worked in big pharma, specialty biotech, vaccines, medical devices, and companion diagnostics, I’ve come to appreciate the shared economic principles and distinct nuances of each sector. Stakeholders vary, as do market pathways, but one constant remains: this is a data-driven industry.

Regardless of the therapeutic area, our goal should be to generate clinical activity and compelling, competitive evidence that speaks to what truly matters to patients. Demonstrating meaningful and measurable value is at the heart of successful market access, whether you're launching a gene therapy or a diagnostic tool.

Addressing the Challenges of Orphan Drugs

Orphan diseases pose unique access and reimbursement challenges. Many of these conditions are still underserved, yet we’ve also witnessed remarkable innovations that have transformed lives. Close collaboration with stakeholders—especially patient advocacy groups and expert clinicians—is essential to understanding unmet needs and treatment impact.

Given the inherent limitations of clinical trials in rare diseases, we must evolve beyond one-time, ex-ante assessments. Pricing and reimbursement models need to be more flexible and dynamic, incorporating real-world evidence over time. A snapshot at launch doesn’t always capture the long-term value of a therapy. We must create systems that reflect this reality.

Looking Ahead: Trends Shaping the Future

Several significant trends are reshaping the global market access landscape. In Europe, implementing Joint Clinical Assessments under the EU HTA regulation could potentially streamline access, though the true impact remains to be seen. Meanwhile, globally, we’re witnessing a broader expansion of HTA processes, cost-effectiveness thresholds, and pricing controls.

One such policy that warrants particular attention is the proposed “most favored nation” (MFN) pricing model in the U.S. While aimed at reducing drug costs by aligning U.S. prices with those in lowercost countries, the policy may have unintended consequences. Historically, the U.S. has served as a premium market that supports global pricing and innovation. If MFN policies gain traction, they could disrupt international reference pricing systems, discourage innovation, and delay global launches, particularly in Europe and emerging markets. It’s a wellintentioned reform that could, if not carefully calibrated, undermine the very mechanisms that support sustainable investment in breakthrough therapies.

AI and digital health will also have a transformative impact. Improved electronic health records and better real-world data collection will enable more nuanced outcomes-based pricing and reimbursement. We’re already seeing this shift in areas like gene therapy, and it will only become more widespread.

Market Access with Heart and Intellect: Guiding the Next Generation

To those entering the field of market access, my advice is simple: be yourself and never lose sight of the bigger picture. Understand the macroeconomic forces, the incentives, and the constraints that shape decisions. Then, dive into the details with curiosity and confidence.

Seek international experience, immerse yourself in different cultures, and never stop asking questions. Exposure builds perspective—and confidence. We need a new generation of professionals with both heart and intellect who are passionate about making a difference and committed to building a more equitable, sustainable healthcare system.