Mentoring Programm

Professional Experience:
Over two decades of experience in the development of businesses within the drug development industry.

Focus & Expertise:

• Non-clinical & clinical Drug Development
• Innovations within AI and digital health as applicable to clinical research
• Business Development & Client Relationships in the drug development process
• Patient Centricity in Drug Development

What motivates you to support the next generation of young professionals?
I’ve benefited greatly from mentors throughout my career and continue to do so, and now I want to offer the same support to others. What motivates me is the chance to share practical insights, help young professionals grow with confidence, and contribute to share values of our industry: developing therapies for patients. Mentoring is also a two-way street: their fresh perspectives continue to inspire and challenge me.

DGPharMed Participation:
Member “Fachbereich Digital Health”

LinkedInProfil: 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/raphaelaschnurbus/

Professional Experience:
Over 40 years’ experience in European pharma and clinical research—DACH focus, spanning academia, medical affairs, medical monitoring, and pharmacovigilance leadership, especially in neuroscience and rare diseases.

Focus & Expertise:

• Design and conduct of proof-of-concept, dose-finding and pivotal studies in nearly all CNS indications
• Placebo Effects
• Adherence to therapy

What motivates you to support the next generation of young professionals?
Germany had been “the world’s pharmacy” in the 1990ies. Successful development of new therapies in the 21st century needs a new generation of competent developers

DGPharMed Participation:
Immediate Past President of DGPharMed Board

LinkedIn Profile:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-schueler-md-5b691050/

Professional Experience:
More than 20 years of experience in clinical research and monitoring across various therapeutic areas and study phases (I–IV), including start-up, submissions, site management and close-out activities, both nationally and internationally.

Focus & Expertise:

• On-site and remote clinical monitoring (pre-study to close-out)
• GCP training and quality assurance, including audit preparation
• Site selection, feasibility and regulatory submissions
• Documentation management: SOPs, CRFs, ICFs, TMFs, reports

What motivates you to support the next generation of young professionals?
To guide young professionals to start their way in clinical research and to provide an overview of option they might have in developing within this business.

DGPharMed Participation:
Member “Fachbereich Klinische Prüfung“

LinkedIn Profile:
https://de.linkedin.com/in/heidrun-beckert-23155231

Professional Experience:
Over 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry (Big Pharma, Medium-sized companies, Start-ups) within Europe (mainly DACH) for innovative medications, generics and biosimilars in various therapeutic areas including rare disease/orphan drugs.

Focus & Expertise:

• Medical Affairs & Medical Science Liaison
• Market Access (AMNOG) & Health Economics
• Information Officer; Graduated Plan Officer
• Cross-functional collaboration with commercial roles

What motivates you to support the next generation of young professionals?

• Sharing knowledge is how you leave a lasting impact
• When you help others grow, you grow too
• Mentors shape culture – not just careers
• True appreciation lies in sharing, not withholding

DGPharMed Participation:
Member “Fachbereich Medical Affairs”

LinkedIn Profile:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-gerwe-3a216854/

Professional Experience:
Over 30 years of clinical development and regulatory experience serving biotechnology, pharmaceutical and CRO companies.

Focus & Expertise:

• Developing, implementing and driving clinical development programs, resulting in successful product registrations or label extensions in both Europe and the United States
• Strategic and operational lead of biotech companies
• Medical and scientific meetings with U.S. FDA, EMA and national European agencies,
• Commercialization and registration activities

What motivates you to support the next generation of young professionals?
I am passionate about drug development with a focus on the biotech industry serving patients suffering from severe illness in oncology, immune and infectious diseases and orphan drug indications. Based on my professional experience in various C-level roles I enjoy supporting young professionals finding their own career path within the industry and sharing my network with them.

DGPharMed Participation:
Former DGPharMed Board Member (President)

LinkedIn Profile:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/axel-mescheder-m-d-22b0035/

Professional Experience:
Extensive international experience in clinical research, particularly in sponsor oversight, risk management, and quality assurance and working as a trainer, consultant, and auditor in her own company.

Focus & Expertise:

• Certified Quality Specialist / Auditor
• Clinical quality assurance & GCP training
• Clinical Research Consultancy & Sponsor Oversight
• Project Management in clinical trials

What motivates you to support the next generation of young professionals?
Supporting young professionals provides a different and interesting view on specific topics. Also, I was very well supported when I started within Clinical Research and now I would like to pass this experience on

DGPharMed Participation:
Member “Fachbereich Klinische Prüfung“

LinkedIn Profile:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-rer-nat-karin-k%C3%B6hler-hansner-msc-8aaa799/

Professional Experience:
Over 20 years of experience as a medical leader in the biopharma and healthcare industries, leading teams of 60+ medical professionals across Europe.

Focus & Expertise:

• Medical Affairs Operations & Field Medical Excellence
• Clinical Development
• Medical Information & Pharmacovigilance
• Product Launch Excellence & Life-Cycle Management
• KOL Engagement & Thought Leader Relations
• Market Access & Health Economics (AMNOG experience)
• Strategic Partnerships & Stakeholder Management
• Cross-functional Leadership & Team Building
• Medical Writing
• Real World Evidence & Post-Market Studies
• Budget Management & Performance Optimization
• National & International Medical Strategy (EMEA experience)

What motivates you to support the next generation of young professionals?
Mentoring the next generation energizes me because I see tremendous potential in young professionals to drive our industry forward with fresh perspectives while becoming tomorrow’s leaders in bringing innovative therapies to patients worldwide. There’s immense satisfaction in helping talented individuals navigate their career paths and accelerating their growth to multiply the positive impact we collectively have on patient care and Medical Affairs excellence.

DGPharMed Participation:
Lead “Fachbereich Medical Affairs”

LinkedIn Profile:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-gerd-moeller/

Professional Experience:
Over 10 years of experience across the pharmaceutical industry, consulting, and research centers with a strong focus on oncology, market access, real-world evidence, and clinical development strategy.

Focus & Expertise:

• Clinical study strategy and early-phase oncology development
• Medical Affairs and stakeholder engagement in lung cancer pipeline
• Real-world evidence generation and non-interventional studies
• Medical writing, study protocol development, data integrity and analysis

What motivates you to support the next generation of young professionals?
I want to become a mentor to help empower emerging clinical research professionals to build confidence and resourcefulness as they progress in their careers. By sharing real-world insights and lessons learned from my own experiences, I hope to provide guidance that supports their growth. Ultimately, I aspire to help each mentee find their own way and develop a unique professional path that aligns with their strengths and ambitions.

DGPharMed Participation:
(Former) Lead “Fachbereich Klinische Prüfung“
Board Member responsible for Policy & Position Statements

LinkedIn Profile:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/manuelabamberger/

Professional Experience:
Over 35 years of experience in clinical pharmacology with a strong focus on early-stage drug development. Principal investigator in more than 50 clinical studies and contributor to over 100 clinical trial protocols and study reports.

Focus & Expertise:

• Clinical pharmacology and early-phase drug development
• Design, conduct and evaluation of Phase I–II trials
• Scientific and regulatory documentation (protocols, reports, dossiers)
• Collaboration with regulatory authorities and scientific associations

Why I Participate in the DGPharMed Mentoring Program
Support start of newcomers and candidates for the inspiring field of drug development with my experience of being responsible for the successful development of effective new medicines for patients.

DGPharMed Participation:
Member “Fachbereich Pharmacovigilance”

LinkedIn Profile:
https://de.linkedin.com/in/johannes-nagelschmitz-74561445