Boris Azaïs
MSD Director, Public Policy Europe & Canada
Boris Azaïs is currently Director, Public Policy Europe for MSD (a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., USA ).
In his capacity, Boris Azaïs engages with European institutions and governments to promote a policy framework that supports pharmaceutical innovation for European patients. His core interest is at the crossroads of research, health and industrial policy, each playing a critical role in ensuring that science is turned into novel medicines that can help patients live better and healthier lives. As part of his engagement activities, Boris speaks at international conferences, produces studies, and coordinates advocacy activities related to the policy framework that enables pharmaceutical innovation. Boris is also involved in joint advocacy efforts with key stakeholders and patient groups related to specific therapeutic areas, such as Alzheimer’s disease, viral hepatitis, diabetes and HIV/AIDS.
In 2003, Boris Azaïs was seconded for two years to the IFPMA, the association that represents the research-based pharmaceutical companies in Geneva, to support the advocacy work of the IFPMA with Geneva-based governmental and non-governmental organizations. Among various topics, Boris worked on public-private partnerships and R&D for neglected diseases.
Prior to that, Boris Azaïs joined MSD in 1998, as Legal Director for Middle-East & Africa, after a multi-year practice as a corporate lawyer for the firm Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton in Paris.