Persefoni Ioannou recently joined Mtech Access as a Consultant in our Health Technology Assessment (HTA) team. Below, she tells us about her interest and experience in HTA and what inspired her to join Mech Access.
What led you to pursue a career in market access and HTA support?
I have always had a deep interest in biomedical sciences. My background is in medical genetics (BSc and MSc from University of Leicester). My PhD thesis (Newcastle University) focused on the pre-clinical investigation of a Duchenne muscular dystrophy therapy, and further deepened my interest in healthcare provision.
Following the completion of my PhD, I decided to pursue a career in medical writing, which led me to the world of market access. Although I was initially working in a broad medical writing role in market access, I quickly recognised my passion for HTA submissions and HTA strategy development, and I am very excited to be focusing on these going forward.
What motivated you to join Mtech Access?
In my previous roles in the market access field, I worked in a variety of market access projects, including HTA submissions, value communications (value stories, global value dossiers, and objection handlers) and literature reviews. HTA submissions and HTA strategy, however, particularly piqued my interest.
Joining Mtech Access as a Consultant in the HTA team will allow me to specialise in HTA submissions and market access strategy development. Working alongside other Mtech Access HTA specialists and other specialised in-house teams will help me broaden my skills. Whilst my role is focused on all aspects of HTAs, the door to supporting on other projects, such as value communications, is not closed.
In addition, Mtech Access has a great reputation for culture and great work-life balance; for me, Mtech Access was the perfect fit.
So, why are you looking to focus on Health Technology Assessments, specifically?
There are multiple reasons why HTAs are of interest to me. The main reason being that they are a key reimbursement step, ensuring that new treatments can reach patients, especially in diseases with high unmet need and those with no current standard of care.
In addition, HTAs by their nature require a multifaceted approach, which translates into working collaboratively with colleagues from other in-house Mtech Access specialist teams, including evidence synthesis, health economics and medical writing, to develop a compelling submission package.
What have you got involved with in your first few weeks with Mtech Access?
The first few weeks have been great. The team organised a series of introductory calls spread over the course of the first 2 weeks of me joining Mtech Access, which gave me the opportunity to get to know the company structure and services delivered and meet my new colleagues (including company directors). I found this to be particularly useful, especially since Mtech Access have several offices with people working from different locations.
During the first month of working at Mtech Access, I supported with the development of a number of proposals for various market access and reimbursement activities, including the development of a full HTA submission package, health economic modelling support, and systematic literature reviews in a range of therapeutic areas.
The first project I will be leading on focuses on the development of a global reimbursement strategy for a diabetes treatment; it includes a series of stakeholder interviews, HTA reviews and the development of a strategic roadmap.
What have you learnt from your first interactions with the team?
Since joining the team, everyone has been really helpful and nice, which made me feel very welcome and helped me ease into my new role particularly quickly.
I was also impressed with the wealth of specialist experience that Mtech Access colleagues have in their respective sector, the majority of whom are at a senior level.
You’re based in our Newcastle office, what’s it like?
Although few colleagues are based in the Newcastle office, the atmosphere is warm and welcoming. It is also nice to have the opportunity to meet people working in other Mtech Access specialist teams.
When you are not at work, what do you like to do?
I enjoy powerlifting; if I am not at work, I am usually at the gym. I also recently started learning how to crochet, which keeps me busy on Sunday afternoons. With the Covid situation settling down, I hope to be able to travel a lot more.
To find out more about how we can support your next HTA submission, email info@mtechaccess.co.uk.
If you are interested in joining our team at Mtech Access, please visit our careers page for details of our current vacancies.
Speak to a member of our team if you are interested in seeing how we can help.
