Vanessa Saunders

A strategic toxicology and safety professional with over 15 years of progressive experience spanning pharmaceutical, chemical, and regulatory sectors, holding a Ph.D. in Toxicology from NYU School of Medicine along with PMP and REHS/RS certifications. Throughout my career progression from technical specialist to global leader at organizations including Pfizer, Sanofi, and PCI Pharma Services, I have consistently delivered exceptional results by achieving 30-70% improvements in quality metrics while reducing costs and accelerating product development timelines by 40-60%. My expertise encompasses rare disease therapeutics, FDA/EMA regulatory compliance, medical safety filings (IND, NDA, BLA), and advanced modalities including CAR-T, oligonucleotides, and monoclonal antibodies, my work in in silico toxicology modeling has reduced animal testing requirements (MPPD) by an untold amount and growing as it is being accepted by the EU as an AOP.

Experienced pharmaceutical and biotechnology professional with demonstrated expertise in R&D asset transition, integration planning, and global compliance. Skilled in managing divestments, acquisitions, asset wind-downs, and externalizations while ensuring alignment with corporate strategy and patient-focused outcomes. Adept at leading matrixed global teams, coaching diverse professionals, and fostering collaborative environments that reinforce operational excellence. Recognized for nuanced global communication, regulatory intelligence, and strategic decision-making across complex portfolios. Proven ability to deliver due diligence support, governance preparation, and financial reconciliation management for high-value projects. Experienced in risk mitigation, alliance management, and stakeholder engagement, with a record of accelerating timelines, reducing costs, and achieving regulatory acceptance across multiple therapeutic areas. Committed to advancing innovation through disciplined leadership, continuous improvement, and patient-centric program execution.

New York University Schoolof Medicine Ph.D., Toxicology and Human Exposure Assessment, 2010–2015, Tuxedo Park, NY Dissertation: "Silver Nanoparticles: A study of dissolution, kinetics, and factors affecting pulmonary inflammation."
New York University School of Medicine M.S., Toxicology and Occupational Health, 2010–2012, Tuxedo Park, NY Dissertation: "A pulmonary inflammation dose response to three metal oxide nanoparticles in FVB/NJ mice."
Old Dominion University B.S., Political Science / International Relations, Minor: Social Psychology of the Developed World, 1998–2008, Norfolk, VA