BioPharm International EAB Spotlight: Hanns-Christian Mahler

BioPharm International spoke with our Editorial Advisory Board member, Hanns-Christian Mahler, CEO of ten23 health, about his work in the bio/pharma industry and what he sees for the industry’s future.

BioPharm: How long have you been working in the bio/pharma industry?

Mahler: After my studies in Pharmacy and completion of PhD thesis, I joined the pharma industry (specifically, Merck KGaA in Darmstadt, Germany) in 2000. I moved to Roche (Basel, Switzerland) in 2005 and left for Lonza AG (Basel, Switzerland) in 2015. My journey with ten23 health started in 2021.

BioPharm: Which part of your career have you had the most enjoyment?

Mahler: I found my purpose mostly in actively and passionately contributing to helping patients by developing safe, effective, easily usable, and sustainable medicines. In addition, I’ve had, and continue to have, the pleasure of working with wonderful colleagues, advancing and commercializing essential medicines and framing and designing workplaces that should inspire people and enable them to grow.

With ten23 health, I also enjoy our ambition and achievements on what we term ‘Fairstainability’. We are already moving from a carbon footprint to a ‘handprint’ that makes a positive impact on people and the planet. Ultimately, this could become a ‘heartprint’—when people put their heart into something, they find solutions instead of obstacles and can achieve real transformation.

BioPharm: What can you tell us about your current work?

Mahler: Currently, I am CEO at ten23 health. As chief enablement officer, my role is to enable—to make things happen. This involves supporting our customers in developing and commercializing important sterile medicines with ten23s Development, Manufacturing and Testing offerings and expertise, and also enabling my colleagues at ten23 to advance their personal journey by providing a framework in the company that supports them to strive and work sustainably.

BioPharm: How have you seen the industry evolve over the years?

Mahler: Pharma has evolved quite a bit in the last 20–25 years. There is, thankfully, increasing focus on a variety of diseases that were previously untreatable. There are many more options, related to “therapeutic modalities”—small molecules, biologics, peptides, viral vectors, cell therapy, oligonucleotides—and also to delivery options, with an increasing trend towards SC delivery, use of devices, etc.

BioPharm: What do you see for the industry’s future?

Mahler: The pharma industry is increasingly recognizing its role in supporting “health for all”, in addition to its responsibilities towards operating more sustainably (related to its impact on the planet, as well as financially).

BioPharm: What can our readers learn from BioPharm International?

Mahler: The readers can learn about recent advances in science and technology, about news in the industry and hot topics and trends.

BioPharm: Outside of work, how do you most enjoy spending your time?

Mahler: I am a huge music fan and guitarist (although, I don’t have enough time to practice). Hopefully, our band’s new album will soon be released.