In my role, I lead Digital Health in Research & Development (R&D) for three key focus areas: Oncology; Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism; and Respiratory and Immunology. Our cross-functional team takes a scientific, evidence-based approach – harnessing the power of artificial intelligence, data science and digital technology – to accelerate the delivery of new medicines to patients.

I have held senior leadership roles across global commercial, in-country commercial, finance and R&D in the eleven years that I have been with AstraZeneca. Most recently, I led a global transformation in clinical development across R&D functions, focusing on patients’ experience and outcomes.

Transforming patients’ experience and outcomes through the use of innovative technologies is what drives our Digital Health team. I am proud of our team’s work and dedication to our goals to accelerate the delivery of new medicines to patients, redefine clinical trials to be more patient centric using digital technologies that improve how clinical trials are run, and work with our global strategic partners to transform the entire patient journey—connecting prediction, prevention, management and treatment of patients more rapidly.

Prior to joining AstraZeneca, I was a senior management consultant at Accenture, leading large transformation programmes, including setting up a new joint venture, from scratch, between two technology companies, which is now a major business for a top retailer, guiding business transformation strategy reviews, and implementing global change initiatives for large telecoms.

I am passionate about innovation and increasing enterprise value by inspiring organisations to change for the future, and have spoken about using innovative technologies to transform patient’s lives at conferences including the Digital Health World Congress and the Financial Times Global Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Conference. I am a chartered accountant (CIMA) and have completed the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Leading Enterprise Transformation programme.

The opportunity for digital health to radically improve human health and transform patient outcomes is incredibly exciting. We are at the forefront of this healthcare revolution, powered by scientific evidence, digital, longitudinal multiomics health data and AI.

Cristina Durán Chief Digital Health Officer, R&D

Award

Received Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) Prize in 2003: ranked first out of 4,314 students globally.

CURRENT ROLE

Chief Digital Health Officer, R&D

2018-2019

Delivered a number of solutions aimed at maximising patient benefits and the value of digital technologies, data and analytics, as Vice President, Transformation, Global R&D for AstraZeneca. These included accelerating studies by median of nine months, reducing the cost of phase III trials by 20%, improving patient experience outcomes through digital therapeutics, and increasing data quality by more than 40%.

2016-2018

As Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Global Medicines Development, R&D for AstraZeneca, developed a plan that led to the best years of R&D delivery in the company’s history, while significantly reducing costs.

2013-2016

Led the German market strategy review process as CFO, AstraZeneca in Germany. Galvanised line managers across all functions; set top priorities for the market, including market access, digital technology and growth in specialty care; and oversaw investments to maximise new product launches with a focus in oncology.

Veeva ID: Z4-38250
Date of preparation: October 2021