Ahmed Babers
Head Of Governance & Operations, GEM - Strategy & Portfolio
Singapore
Summary
Dynamic commercial leader and pharmacist with 17+ years of experience spanning market access, sales, marketing, portfolio strategy, and regional operations across high‑growth emerging markets. Proven track record shaping enterprise‑level governance, strengthening Global–Regional–Local ways of working, and leading cross‑functional strategic initiatives across diverse therapeutic areas. Currently serving as Head of Governance & Operations for Takeda GEM, driving operating‑model evolution, portfolio prioritization, pipeline readiness, and commercial excellence across 30+ markets. Recognized for providing strategic commercial thought partnership, enabling high‑quality planning cycles, and orchestrating governance that accelerates decision‑making and execution. Delivered transformative impact including tripling Entyvio sales between 2019–2024 and achieving UC market leadership at 38% share through multi‑market strategy, data‑driven decision‑making, and cross‑functional leadership. Known for navigating complexity, influencing senior stakeholders, and fostering collaboration across Medical, Access, DD&T, Finance, and Policy to achieve unified commercial and portfolio outcomes.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
2
2
Languages
Work History
Head of Governance & Operations, GEM
Takeda Pharmaceuticals
11.2024 - Current
- Lead regional governance and operating‑model transformation across GEM, establishing streamlined decision‑making, “light‑touch” governance, and issue‑escalation frameworks that enhance execution across 30+ markets.
- Chair GEMPACT pipeline governance, overseeing commercial risk/opportunity assessments, launch readiness acceleration, and corporate planning submissions for Oveporexton, Zasocitinib & Rusfertide.
- Drive GEM strategy, portfolio and commercial operations projects, including brand planning governance (ABP), LRF orchestration, KPI integration, and cross‑functional scenario planning for pipeline assets.
- Provide strategic commercial thought partnership to GEMLT ensuring alignment on portfolio strategy, pipeline readiness, and commercial priorities across TA, Medical, Access, DD&T, and Finance teams.
- Strengthen cross‑regional connectivity through GM Forums, BO Community Calls, and strategic engagement platforms, reinforcing Global–Regional–Local collaboration and strategic alignment.
- Partner with global and regional teams to harmonize GEM commercial assessment frameworks and strengthen LOC execution through simplified processes, change‑management support, and enhanced ways of working.
West Gulf BU Head – Gastroenterology
Takeda Pharmaceuticals
04.2024 - 10.2024
- Led regional franchise performance and operational execution across four markets, ensuring full alignment with GEM strategy and global priorities.
- Strengthened portfolio governance and forecasting accuracy and supported strategy input into annual business reviews, opportunity assessments, and commercial prioritization discussions.
- Enabled sustained high double‑digit growth and expanded access to >2,000 IBD patients by orchestrating integrated cross‑functional plans across Medical, Access, Policy, and Supply.
UMEA Entyvio Acceleration Assignment
Takeda Pharmaceuticals
04.2023 - Current
- Supported UMEA regional leadership with commercial insights, country assessments, and strategic frameworks to accelerate Entyvio performance.
- Led multi‑market diagnostic analyses, market‑shaping recommendations, and cross‑affiliate best‑practice transfer (Ukraine, Egypt, Algeria).
- Co‑designed and executed regional IBD summits, driving Global–Regional–Local alignment on strategy and execution.
KSA BU Head - Gastroenterology
Takeda Pharmaceuticals
04.2023 - 03.2024
- Directed end‑to‑end franchise strategy, integrating brand planning, omnichannel design, account strategy, and operational execution with strong governance and performance rigor.
- Delivered consistent P&L delivery and elevated forecasting quality, informing portfolio and pipeline decisions at ICMEA and GEM levels.
- Enabled omnichannel transformation using customer insights, data analytics, and coordinated cross‑functional execution.
ICMEA GI Franchise Commercial Expert Assignment
Takeda Pharmaceuticals
09.2021 - 03.2023
- Moderate ICMEA Entyvio FY23 BP reviews & provide strategic directions to LOC teams as aligned with ICMEA PM strategy.
- Proactively track GI monthly performance and franchise R&Os for ICMEA LOCs.
- GI community building within ICMEA.
- Actively participate in GEM 1-1, ICMEA meetings.
- Reactively support LOCs requests.
- Franchise (in line and pipeline) prioritisation.
KSA Franchise Lead – Gastroenterology
Takeda Pharmaceuticals
12.2020 - 03.2023
- Drove franchise strategy, brand planning, and tactical execution aligned with global and GEM direction.
- Developed business cases and commercial assessments for Revestive, Alofisel, and ADHD portfolio assets, shaping early portfolio decisions and informing launch readiness.
- Identified and executed market development opportunities that improved brand perception, expanded commercial impact, and enhanced patient outcomes.
KSA Entyvio Product Manager
Takeda Pharmaceuticals
07.2019 - 11.2020
- Delivered strategic and operational leadership of Entyvio across KSA, driving business planning, demand forecasting, patient‑journey‑based segmentation, and tactical execution.
- Laid foundation for tripling Entyvio revenue (2019–2024) and 38% UC market leadership, building a multi‑year growth trajectory through integrated strategy, access expansion, and cross‑functional collaboration.
- Built foundational commercial cases and launch readiness frameworks for future assets.
KSA Key Account Manager – Market Access
Takeda Pharmaceuticals
04.2017 - 06.2019
- Maximize patient access to Takeda products: Inclusion of Entyvio to MOH, NGHA, KFSH, KAUH-J, KAMC drug formulary indices.
- Inclusion of Adcetris to KFSH & KKUH drug formulary indices.
- Drive Takeda revenues and growth: Effective tender management through proper planning and pricing of Takeda brands.
- Development & execution of Adcetris VBC with KFSH.
Product Specialist; Entyvio Team - KSA
Takeda Pharmaceuticals
05.2016 - 03.2017
- Contributed to the successful launch of Entyvio in Saudi.
- Prelaunch market mapping.
- Targeting and segmentation.
Medical Representative
Takeda Pharmaceuticals
01.2013 - 04.2016
- Promoting Pantozol and Alvesco – Governmental team.
Product Specialist
DANONE Advanced Medical Nutrition - KSA
01.2011 - 12.2012
- Promoting Neocate and NutriniDrink in both private and institutional sectors. 150% and 105% achievement of sales target in 2012 and 2011 respectively.
Medical Representative
Novartis Pharma
01.2010 - 12.2010
- Promoting Foradil and Miflonide in Mohandessin District and Police Hospital achieving market share 52% vs national market share was 45%. Re-inclusion of Foradil and Miflonide in Police Hospital and gaining the market leader position in the hospital.
Medical Representative
GlaxoSmithKline
07.2009 - 12.2009
- Medical Representative, Diabetes line (Avandia – Avandaryl - Avandamet).
Education
Advanced Marketing Management Diploma -
The American University in Cairo
Cairo, Egypt01-2022
Bachelor - Pharmaceutical Sciences
Cairo University
Cairo, Egypt06-2009
Skills
Emotional Intelligence
Leadership
Strategic Thinking
Communication
Results Driven
Data-driven decision making
Strategic planning
Recruitment and team development
Digital transformation
Brand positioning
Portfolio management
Financial planning & forecasting
Enterprise Impact Highlights
- Led GEM portfolio & commercial governance across 30+ markets including ABP, LRF, KPI integration, and launch acceleration frameworks.
- Drove multi‑regional strategy and acceleration programs across GEM, ICMEA, UMEA, and KSA in partnership with global teams.
- Tripled Entyvio sales (2019–2024) and achieved 38% UC market leadership across KSA & West Gulf Cluster.
- Delivered business cases and early commercial assessments informing NPP and investment decisions in GEM for Oveporexton, Zasocitinib and Rusfertide.
Awards
Takeda META Star Award, 2014: best commercial team,
Takeda NEMEA Star Award, 2015: best sales achiever,
Takeda NEMEA Star Award, 2016: best sales achiever,
Takeda Saudi team best achiever, 2015,
Takeda Global digital award, 2020: Saudi IBD Awareness Day,
Takeda ICMEA Best Marketer award, 2021
Training Courses
- Strategic Marketing
- Key Account Management.
- Negotiation Skills
- Time and Territory Management
- Presentation Skills.
- Advanced Selling Skills.
- Coaching Masterclass
Internships
- Summer, 2008: Training in Eli Lilly as a medical representative.
- Summer, 2007: Training in Boehringer Ingelheim as a medical representative.
- Summer, 2007: Training in Pfizer as a medical representative.
Personal Data
- Date Of Birth : March 1st ,1988
- Marital Status : Married
- Nationality : Egyptian
Timeline
Head of Governance & Operations, GEM
Takeda Pharmaceuticals
11.2024 - Current
West Gulf BU Head – Gastroenterology
Takeda Pharmaceuticals
04.2024 - 10.2024
UMEA Entyvio Acceleration Assignment
Takeda Pharmaceuticals
04.2023 - Current
KSA BU Head - Gastroenterology
Takeda Pharmaceuticals
04.2023 - 03.2024
ICMEA GI Franchise Commercial Expert Assignment
Takeda Pharmaceuticals
09.2021 - 03.2023
KSA Franchise Lead – Gastroenterology
Takeda Pharmaceuticals
12.2020 - 03.2023
KSA Entyvio Product Manager
Takeda Pharmaceuticals
07.2019 - 11.2020
KSA Key Account Manager – Market Access
Takeda Pharmaceuticals
04.2017 - 06.2019
Product Specialist; Entyvio Team - KSA
Takeda Pharmaceuticals
05.2016 - 03.2017
Medical Representative
Takeda Pharmaceuticals
01.2013 - 04.2016
Product Specialist
DANONE Advanced Medical Nutrition - KSA
01.2011 - 12.2012
Medical Representative
Novartis Pharma
01.2010 - 12.2010
Medical Representative
GlaxoSmithKline
07.2009 - 12.2009
Bachelor - Pharmaceutical Sciences
Cairo University
Advanced Marketing Management Diploma -
The American University in Cairo