Laetitia Devy-Dimanche: Inspiring Change In Cancer Immunotherapy

Switzerland has seen many women rise to powerful leadership positions, breaking barriers and shaping industries worldwide. Boasting of a strong legal framework, the country promotes gender equality, ensuring women have the opportunity to lead, and make strides in business and public sectors, supported by robust networks and a cultural shift towards inclusivity. A beacon for women leaders, with growing representation in various fields, Switzerland is making its mark as an inspiring place for aspiring female leaders to thrive. Among the trailblazing figures in the country is Laetitia Devy-Dimanche, a remarkable leader who has made her mark in the biotechnology field.

Currently, the CEO of AMAL Therapeutics, Laetitia's journey is one of bold choices, perseverance, and relentless learning. Her career path took a unique turn early on, when, during her PhD, she had the opportunity to join a top-tier research laboratory in Belgium, despite being settled in France. This was a leap into the unknown, but Laetitia recognized the immense potential for growth and embraced the challenge. She moved to Belgium as a post-doctoral fellow and FNRS assistant, diving into groundbreaking research on metalloproteinases and angiogenesis.

In 2007, another pivotal moment came when Laetitia was offered a role at Dyax S.A., a phage display company. This time, the decision was even more daunting, relocating to Cambridge, Massachusetts, with her husband and young son. It was a major life change, but Laetitia and her family took the plunge. The first six months were challenging, but their adaptability and resilience saw them through, eventually leading to a decade-long stay in the US. to switch between strategic decision-making and operational tasks, which I describe as “zooming in and zooming out”. I am passionate about fostering a culture of curiosity and innovation while creating an environment where teams can thrive. My leadership philosophy centers on trust and "leadership by intent”, helping to build and maintain high-performing, empowered and motivated teams.

What are some of the most important business lessons you've learned throughout your career in the global pharma industry? How do you apply these insights in your role at AMAL Therapeutics?

Over the years, I have learned that teamwork is crucial for success. Building a diverse, inclusive team with a strong sense of purpose and personal accountability drives motivation and performance. Investing in ex­pert courses, workshops, and leadership programs supports continuous growth. A company culture that is aligned with employee values attracts and retains talent. Being agile and adaptable helps us stay com­petitive by embracing new technologies and meth­odologies. Presenting at international conferences boosts visibility and offers valuable peer feedback. Staying connected with former colleagues opens ex­citing opportunities. Taking on new roles with in­creasing complexity and leading global projects fos­ters growth. Managing stakeholders at the interface between biotech and large pharma is vital, requiring clear communication, timely progress updates, and collaborative problem-solving to continuously learn and adapt strategies. A business leader’s journey is often filled with challenges.

What are some of the key obstacles you face in your current role, and how do you navigate them?

Leading in the pharmaceutical industry comes with many challenges due to its complexity, regulatory hurdles, and constant technological advancements. Investing in cutting-edge technologies and automation speeds up drug discovery and development, allowing teams to focus on objectives. To navigate short-term obstacles while maintaining a long-term vision, strong leadership, a commitment to innovation, and ethical practices are essential. Fostering cross-functional collaboration, resilience, and adaptability is key to overcoming unexpected challenges and being co-located all together is a big advantage to allow instant communication. Flexibility, a sense of ownership, and quick decision-making are crucial for delivering high-quality results efficiently. Thinking creatively, being solution-oriented, and making bold, informed decisions helps maintain competitiveness. Transparent communication with all stakeholders, employees, investors, regulators, and patients, is vital to driving sustained success.

Reflecting on your journey, what would you consider the most significant milestone? Why is this particular milestone so meaningful to you?

I’m grateful for all the opportunities I have had. Early in my career, I recognized that I could seize every opportunity and continuously create new, exciting experiences. This mindset has guided me throughout my entire career. Meeting the right people, being in the right place at the right time, and receiving unwavering support from my family, my husband and my three kids, has been instrumental in my growth and has shaped the person I am today.

How do you envision the global pharmaceutical landscape evolving in the near future? What industry trends are you focusing on this year?

I firmly believe in the integration of digital health technologies to enhance patient care, enabling remote monitoring and personalized medicine, driven by advancements in genomics and biotechnology. AI and machine learning are transforming drug discovery and clinical development by analyzing vast amounts of data to identify new drug candidates, optimize clinical trials, and predict patient responses, ultimately reducing time and costs. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a window of opportunities for regulatory agencies to adopt more flexible pathways to speed up the approval of innovative therapies, allowing life-saving treatments to reach patients faster. The industry is increasingly focusing on patient-centricity, emphasizing outcomes and experiences. Engaging patients and incorporating their feedback into trial designs leads to more effective and impactful treatments.

Laetitia Devy-Dimanche, CEO, Amal Therapeutics

Laetitia Devy-Dimanche is the CEO of AMAL Therapeutics S.A., a Swiss biotech company and wholly-owned subsidiary of Boehringer Ingelheim, focused on developing cancer vaccines. With a strong background in scientific research and leadership, she has held key roles in global pharmaceutical and biotech companies. Laetitia is dedicated to fostering innovation, collaboration, and adaptability within her team. Under her leadership, AMAL Therapeutics is advancing cutting-edge immunotherapies aimed at improving cancer treatment outcomes and delivering meaningful patient benefits.