From parliament to health industry: Trent Zimmerman takes the helm at Alexion, paving the way for transformation

Pharma News: Former Australian Member of Parliament, Trent Zimmerman, has taken on a new role as the Director of Government Affairs and Policy at Alexion Pharmaceuticals Australasia, AstraZeneca’s rare diseases business. Known for his tireless efforts in advancing healthcare reforms during his time in parliament, Zimmerman’s appointment marks a strategic move that promises to shape the future of healthcare in the region.

Trent Zimmerman has had an impressive career in public service, representing the people of North Sydney from 2015 to 2022. During his tenure, he championed several vital advisory roles across different industries and was notably involved in consulting on public affairs matters. However, it was his dedication to healthcare that truly set him apart.

As the former Chair of the Health, Aged Care, and Sport Committee, Zimmerman played a pivotal role in delivering the parliamentary report The New Frontier: Delivering Better Health for All Australians alongside Dr Mike Freelander in November 2021. The report recommended transformative reforms to the healthcare system, aiming to provide Australians with better and faster access to the latest medical breakthroughs.

Zimmerman highlighted the need to adapt the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) to accommodate personalised treatments tailored for individual patients, such as precision medicine.

“The current PBS…was not designed to assess subsidies for treatments that might be personalised for each individual, which is the hope precision medicine can offer. These are treatments that can cost in the many tens of thousands and will be beyond the reach of most Australians without government subsidies.

“New medicines and technologies rarely come cheap but upfront costs often bring long-term savings, particularly for chronic conditions that could otherwise involve years of health expenditure. More fundamentally, they save lives or shape the quality of life for so many Australians – and that’s surely worth the investment,” he said.

Reflecting on Zimmerman’s vast expertise in healthcare, Nicole Gaupset, General Manager of Alexion, expressed her excitement about the appointment, stating, “Trent has a strong passion for healthcare in Australia. As co-chair of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care, and Sport, Trent worked tirelessly to deliver several major bipartisan reports that have positively impacted the approval process for new drugs and novel medical technologies in Australia, with a particular focus on rare disease therapies.”

Ms Gaupset added, “Trent’s appointment will pave the way for transformative change in our healthcare system, especially for those battling rare diseases. His joining of Alexion exemplifies our commitment to attracting top-tier talent in the medicines industry, and we are thrilled to have him on board.”

Zimmerman’s transition from parliament to the private sector has been met with enthusiasm. Many see his move as an opportunity to bridge the gap between policymakers and the pharmaceutical industry, ultimately fostering a more effective and patient-centred healthcare system for all Australians.

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