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CAGDAS BALCI

@cagdasbalci

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Senior pharmaceutical commercial leader driving market access, launches and regional expansion.

Turkey

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What I'm looking for

I seek senior commercial or regional leadership roles where I can lead launches, expand access to innovative therapies, build high-performing teams, and drive P&L growth in collaborative, mission-driven organizations.

I am a senior pharmaceutical commercial leader with extensive regional experience across Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Turkey, combining operations and P&L management with cross‑functional leadership.

Over 15 years at Novartis, I built the Cell & Gene organization for APAC, managed portfolios worth ~$100M, led teams up to 90 people, and opened six new markets for gene therapies.

My background spans strategy, launch readiness, market access, and commercial execution across rare diseases, ophthalmology, respiratory and established medicines, with prior consulting experience delivering large transformation programs.

I focus on building governance and high‑performing teams, engaging stakeholders and driving measurable access and market share results; my work has been recognized with Novartis Global most impactful project awards.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Asia Pacific Cluster Head

Novartis

Sep 2022 - Apr 2025 (2 years 7 months)

Built the Cell & Gene organization for Asia Pacific, led cross-functional market access, medical and commercial teams across 12 countries, and opened 6 new markets to accelerate gene therapy expansion in APAC.

Leadership Market Access Cell And Gene Therapy Stakeholder Engagement Commercial Operations

Regional Commercial Director

Novartis

Jan 2021 - Sep 2022 (1 year 8 months)

Designed regional launch and market access strategies across 30+ APMA countries, established cross-functional governance and a regional launch team to prioritise and prepare markets for new molecules.

Strategic Launch Market Access Governance Commercial Strategy Talent Development Pharma GTx Collaboration

Ophthalmology Business Director

Novartis

May 2015 - Jan 2021 (5 years 8 months)

Led retina, cornea and glaucoma commercial strategy, managed a $100M business and 75-person team, and delivered top global volume for Lucentis while driving Clinical Process Optimization adopted globally.

Portfolio Management P&L management Team Leadership Commercial Strategy Process Optimization Market Share Growth Stakeholder Engagement Sales Operations

Respiratory Business Director

Novartis

Feb 2015 - May 2015 (3 months)

Led respiratory and rheumatology commercial activities, managed a $70M business and 90-person team, and launched two long-delayed products to market.

Product Launch Sales Leadership P&L management Team Management Commercial Operations Market Access Brand Strategy Stakeholder Management

Head of Established Medicine

Novartis

Sep 2013 - Feb 2015 (1 year 5 months)

Led established medicines portfolio, managed $100M in revenue, a marketing team and 60-person CSO, and achieved 85% molecule share for Diovan against generics.

Portfolio Management Marketing Strategy P&L management Restructuring

Strategic Planning Director

Novartis

Jul 2010 - Sep 2013 (3 years 2 months)

Built Strategic Planning function, led sales force effectiveness, marketing excellence and change management initiatives, and managed an 18-person team through major organizational restructuring.

Strategic Planning Change Management Scenario Planning Sales Operations Business Development Target Allocation

Consulting Manager

Peppers & Rogers Group

Jul 2005 - Jul 2010 (5 years)

Managed large consultancy engagements across banking, energy, telecom and retail in Turkey and Middle East, leading a 20-person team on a 5,000 man-day transformation project.

Management Consulting Implementation Project Management Change Management Digital Transformation

Strategic Planning Specialist

Siemens Business Services

Nov 2002 - Dec 2004 (2 years 1 month)

Defined short- to long-term strategies by analyzing macroeconomic trends and ICT service needs to position company offerings and delivery capabilities.

Market Research Positioning Business Strategy Forecasting

Business Analyst

A.T. Kearney

Jul 2001 - Jul 2002 (1 year)

Supported process reengineering and due diligence projects in banking and telecommunications, contributing to operational redesign and client deliverables.

Due Diligence Data Analysis Banking Telecommunications Project Delivery Business Case Development