Marja Halma, Neurology Business Unit Lead at Centrafarm

‘You don’t have everything arranged for you – you have to want to be a pioneer’

In the spring of 2021, Marja Halma began working at Centrafarm with the responsibility for placing a new Parkinson’s medication on the Dutch market. Despite mostly working from home due to the coronavirus pandemic, she feels completely comfortable at Centrafarm, a Dutch pharmaceutical company that became part of STADA, one of Germany’s leading pharmaceutical concerns, some 30 years ago. ‘Here at Centrafarm you are given the space to be a front runner, to develop initiatives. The lines are short, decision-taking is rapid, with the result that you can really make a difference.’

You are working on the launch of Centrafarm’s first speciality medication, a drug for Parkinson’s patients. This means that you really threw yourself in the deep end. Where are you now?

Centrafarm previously focused primarily on generic medications and a wide range of care products – some 753 in total. Biosimilars were added to the portfolio a number of years ago. But STADA also had the aim of offering specialities, or rather its own branded medications. A British subsidiary of STADA had added an effective medication for Parkinson’s patients to its portfolio following a successful acquisition. Following the conclusion of the acquisition, a decision was taken to roll out the medication across Europe.

Over the longer term, Centrafarm aims to introduce other speciality medications. This means that we are engaged in setting up an entirely new division, as the marketing and sales work is completely different. It takes significantly longer than with generic medications and advertising is prohibited, as a result of strict legislation and regulation. The organisation has provided me with the space and resources to set to work on this.

What was your motivation for starting to work in life sciences?

I completed a course in nursing and then went on to study Change Management at Vrije Universiteit. After a number of jobs, I ended up in life sciences by chance. I have headed various units, including oncology at AbbVie. I also feel a link with neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s Disease. The disease profile is problematic, not only for the patient, but also for the caregivers. Unfortunately, there are no medications to date that can cure this disease, but the symptoms can be better managed.

It’s great to be able to do something meaningful here. We will soon be launching a medication that will considerably improve these patients’ quality of life. It makes their course of disease more stable and more predictable. It allows these patients to be active again, to have the courage to go out and socialise. A large number of Parkinson’s patients are looking forward to this new medication. I’m proud to be involved in it – that it makes a difference as it is not merely the development of a pill, but something that can change someone’s life for the better.

Initiating and reacting rapidly to what is expected of me in my position appeals to me.

What does Centrafarm have to offer as an employer?

As far as I am concerned, Centrafarm offers the best of both worlds: the short lines and a friendly atmosphere of a small local player, and the advantages of scale and professionality of a big international company. The scope and breadth of the portfolio means versatile and changing roles for staff. Development is a central focus here. You are encouraged to expand your knowledge and to seek out collaborations with each other – not only at local, but also at international level. And you don’t necessarily have to stay within your own discipline. You can work fully on your own development and that of the company, based on cooperation from all sides with other departments. There is an open and transparent culture in which everyone can express their views, and there are no hierarchical obstacles. Investment is actively pursued with a view to constant improvement in the organisation.

What do you need to be a job candidate?

Naturally, as a job candidate you must be able to input the basic knowledge and experience necessary for the position. But at Centrafarm we regard potential and drive as elements that are just as important. Integrity, entrepreneurship, agility and One STADA, our four corporate values, are essential. Your personal values have to be in line with these. Showing entrepreneurship, being flexible and being able to react quickly are required in every position. So, quite apart from the position, everyone has to be a bit of a pioneer, to be able to spot opportunities and to embrace them. You have to enjoy making a contribution to constant improvement with your ideas and your work. Not everything is presented to you on a platter.

You might say: who doesn’t want this? But I have had interviews with candidates who found this to be too much responsibility and didn’t want to take it on. When preparing for an interview, I would advise candidates to find out about the direction the company is taking, and our position and the opportunities in the Dutch care sector. What’s going on there, what is the state of public opinion, what is the legislation and regulation that is coming up, what are the cuts in expenditure that could impact the business? If this suits you, if it excites you, then Centrafarm is a fantastic company to work for. Here you will be given every opportunity to develop and especially to make your contribution to better treatments for diseases. Taking this on and going up through the gears quickly really appeals to me!