Title: Corporate Strategic Advisor
Company: Otsuka America Pharmaceutical Inc.
Location: Westfield, New Jersey, United States
Robert D McQuade, PhD, corporate strategic advisor at Otsuka America Pharmaceutical Inc., has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Healthcare Professionals for dedication, achievements, and leadership in drug development.
With four decades of experience, Dr. McQuade has built a successful career in drug development, specializing in regulatory affairs, interactions with government, and clinical studies. He currently excels as a corporate strategic advisor at Otsuka America Pharmaceutical Inc., a role he has held since 2023. His previous experience includes serving as executive vice president, chief strategic officer, and interim chief medical officer at Otsuka America Pharmaceutical Inc. from 2004 to 2023, senior director at Bristol-Myers Squibb Company from 1996 to 2004, and associate director in drug discovery at Schering-Plough Research Institute from 1985 to 1996. Additionally, he serves as board chairman of the McQuade Center for Strategic Research & Development Inc. Laying a solid educational foundation, he earned a Bachelor of Science in biology from Davidson College in 1979 and a PhD in biochemical pharmacology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1986.
Reflecting on his journey, Dr. McQuade was influenced by his father, who worked in the pharmaceutical industry. From an early stage, he was drawn to research that could directly benefit people, rather than pure academic study. Initially focused on drug discovery, he later transitioned into drug development, where he found the perfect balance between advancing science and helping others. He has made significant contributions to the development and approval of several impactful medications, and played a pivotal role in the approval of Abilify, an antipsychotic medication that has benefited countless individuals. He also advanced Jynarque, a treatment for autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, and contributed to the development and approval of Rexulti, an antipsychotic drug recently approved to address agitation related to dementia from Alzheimer’s disease. He emphasizes that nothing in his field is accomplished by an individual—it is always the result of teamwork.
Dr. McQuade attributes his success to hard work, diligence, perseverance, resilience, and a deep respect for his colleagues. He has always focused on doing what’s best for the companies he has worked for and, most importantly, for the patients he serves. Looking ahead, he envisions transitioning to retirement. Over the next few years, he plans to continue his involvement in board activities and consulting before fully stepping back from his current responsibilities. Last year, he passed the baton of operational responsibility, and in about two and a half years, he plans to fully step back. He acknowledges that there are younger, more intelligent individuals in the business and advises those entering the pharmaceutical industry that getting a foothold can be challenging. He recommends any opportunity to get involved in research as a good entry point. Reflecting on his own experience, he notes that drug discovery was a great path for him, but there are multiple routes one can take, whether in academia, pharmaceutical research, or other directions. His advice is to choose your path wisely early on and lay out a plan that will lead you where you want to go.
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