Title: Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director
Company: Mayne Pharma
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
Shawn Patrick O’Brien, chief executive officer and managing director at Mayne Pharma, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Executives for dedication, achievements, and leadership in pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.
With over four decades of experience in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, Mr. O’Brien has excelled in various leadership roles. Currently, he serves as the chief executive officer and managing director of Mayne Pharma since 2022. In this role, he leads his team toward achieving strategic goals and is actively involved in supply chain, commercialization, and product development.
Mr. O’Brien and his team, customer-focused in the dermatology area, recognized the challenges dermatologists face with prescriptions, prior authorizations, and ensuring patients receive the best medication. To resolve this issue, they partnered with GoodRx and AssistRx, establishing a network of 430 specialty pharmacies and their own mail-order pharmacy, helping patients get what their doctors prescribe without unnecessary delays.
Throughout his career, Mr. O’Brien has held several significant positions, including chairman of the board and board director at Genomind from 2018 to 2021. Genomind specializes in genetic testing for mental health, and during his leadership, he was personally motivated by his son’s struggle with depression and suicidal ideation. This experience drove him to advance Genomind’s mission, securing Food and Drug Administration approval and reimbursement for their tests, thereby improving access to these critical services. His efforts positioned him as a key industry voice in pharmacogenetic testing, helping patients find effective treatments after years of unsuccessful medication. The positive feedback from patients, highlighting how these innovations have improved or saved their lives, has been a significant motivator during his career.
Additionally, Mr. O’Brien served as president and chief executive officer of Cipher Pharmaceuticals Inc. from 2014 to 2016 and was a board director for Crozer-Keystone Health System from 2008 to 2016. Other notable roles include founder, president, and chief executive officer of Altherx Inc., as well as president and chief executive officer of Profectus BioSciences Inc.
Mr. O’Brien’s extensive experience also includes leadership positions at Solstice Neurosciences and AstraZeneca, where he was involved in various executive roles, including vice president of commercial operations and executive director of specialty products. He began his career as a market research analyst and primary care and hospital sales representative at The Upjohn Company of Canada in 1983.
In addition to his primary vocation, Mr. O’Brien remains actively involved with various organizations. He serves on the advisory board for the Philadelphia Life Sciences Convention Bureau, acts as a judge for the Entrepreneur of the Year Program, and co-chairs the Schoemaker Classic for Melmark. He is also a member of Life Sciences Pennsylvania, reflecting his ongoing commitment to the life sciences community.
Before embarking on his professional path, Mr. O’Brien laid a solid foundation for his future success. He pursued his education at the University of Waterloo, earning a diploma in 1980. He continued his academic efforts at Western University, obtaining a Bachelor of Science in microbiology and immunology in 1982.
In light of his impressive undertakings, Mr. O’Brien has accrued several accolades throughout his career. He was recognized as the Entrepreneur of the Year by Philadelphia Life Sciences in 2007 and has received numerous internal awards from AstraZeneca, reflecting his outstanding contributions and leadership in the field.
Mr. O’Brien attributes his success to making business decisions prioritizing patient well-being and his commitment to integrity and truth. He believes in doing whatever it takes to get things done effectively. His involvement in the industry stems from his realization that, in his five chief executive officer roles, he could adjust products and processes to serve patients profitably. A career highlight was his involvement in launching Seroquel, a medication used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, at AstraZeneca, where he and his team grew its revenue from $110 million to $5.6 billion, surpassing competitor products.
Looking ahead, Mr. O’Brien hopes to continue his work in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, focusing on developing medications that truly benefit patients. He also plans to maintain his involvement in various board positions, contributing his expertise and leadership to multiple organizations.
Mr. O’Brien advises aspiring professionals to ensure they are passionate about their work. He emphasizes the importance of a compelling pitch story that resonates with the finance team, as financial viability is crucial for securing business funding. He encourages listening and learning from mistakes, as these often provide more valuable lessons than successes. He believes that success comes from understanding customers’ needs and maintaining a commitment to direct communication.
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