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Alisa KochAK
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Alisa Koch

@alisakoch

Board-certified immunology and rheumatology leader advancing autoimmune therapies through medical affairs and clinical development.

United States
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What I'm looking for

I’m looking to lead medical affairs and clinical development for autoimmune and immunology programs—building KOL relationships, shaping trial strategy, and translating scientific data into launch-ready outcomes in a collaborative global environment.

I’m a board-certified pharmaceutical Medical Affairs and Clinical Development leader with deep expertise across autoimmune (AI) strategy, clinical research and development, medical affairs, and medical education. I’m known for global-level team support, strong customer experience, and a lifelong commitment to medical/scientific work that improves patient outcomes.

In my latest role, I led Medical Engagement in Clinical Development and Medical Affairs for an oncology CAR-T company focused on AI diseases. I introduced the company to top autoimmune KOLs at EULAR and ACR, contributed to phase I/II trial design for SLE and SLE nephritis (including FDA-related protocol revisions), mapped AI strategy, and supported scientific data dissemination through congress abstracts.

Previously at Eli Lilly and Company, I held senior Medical Fellow/Vice President Immunology leadership roles across Medical Affairs and Clinical Development for RA/Covid-19 and helped develop and launch an AI platform. I successfully launched Olumiant and Taltz, set brand strategy and business plans, designed clinical trials, served as final reviewer for medical escalations and FAQs, and authored ~250 peer-reviewed publications, including work in major journals.

I also bring strong investigator-initiated research (IIR/IIT) and regulatory expertise—acting as a medical reviewer for the Olumiant NDA to the FDA, leading IIT program evaluations, and driving medical data dissemination (SDD) across Medical and Marketing needs. Across my background in academia and pharma, I’ve built training roadmaps, organized advisory boards, and partnered with business leaders to advance translational research and launch readiness.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Autolus, Inc. logoAI

VP Medical Engagement & Medical Affairs

Autolus, Inc.

May 2024 - Mar 2026 (1 year 10 months)

Led medical engagement for an oncology CAR-T company across Medical Affairs and Clinical Development, introducing the organization to leading autoimmune KOLs at major congresses. Contributed to Phase I/II trial design for SLE and SLE nephritis (including FDA protocol revisions), secured over half of suggested trial sites, and completed 525 in-person/virtual KOL touchpoints in 2025.

Eli Lilly and Company logoEC

Senior Medical Fellow / Vice President

Jan 2013 - Feb 2024 (11 years 1 month)

Provided global and U.S. Immunology (RA/Covid-19) Medical Affairs leadership, developed Lilly’s AI platform, and supported launch of Olumiant and Taltz. Authored approximately 250 peer-reviewed publications, acted as final medical escalation authority, and led cross-functional clinical development and AI pipeline strategy.

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

NS

Northwestern University Medical School

Doctor of Medicine (M.D.), Medicine

Earned an M.D. through the Northwestern University/Six-Year Honors Program in Medical Education.

FU

Foster G. McGaw Hospital of Loyola University

Residency, Internal Medicine

Completed residency training in Internal Medicine and became board certified in Internal Medicine.

Northwestern University Medical School logoNS

Northwestern University Medical School

Fellowship, Rheumatology

Completed fellowship training in Rheumatology and became board certified in Rheumatology.

Northwestern University (Six-Year Honors Program) logoNP

Northwestern University (Six-Year Honors Program)

Bachelor of Science, Medical Education

Completed a B.S. as part of Northwestern University’s Six-Year Honors Program in Medical Education.

University of Debrecen logoUD

University of Debrecen

Ph.D. (honoris causa), Medical Science

Awarded a Ph.D. honoris causa for a lifetime body of medical/scientific work.

Tech stack

Software and tools used professionally

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