International Women’s Day 2024 – Celebrating all the incredible women at NMD Pharma

For International Women’s Day, we want to highlight all the incredible women at NMD Pharma, whose relentless passion in developing effective treatments for severe neuromuscular diseases are part of the driving force behind our company.

To mark this day, we sat down with our CEO, Thomas Holm Pedersen, to get his perspective on the challenges and barriers women face in biotech. He also explains how he uses his role at NMD Pharma to inspireInclusion in the workforce and achieve gender parity.

What is NMD Pharma doing to foster diversity and inclusion and equality of opportunity throughout the Company?
This is extremely important to NMD Pharma as we want to keep making a positive difference inside our organisation as well as externally with patients and stakeholders. We continuously and actively engage with our team and stakeholders to get their valuable insights and perspectives and learn from those who have already made a positive impact.  Having an appointed individual who is part of the Executive Management Team focusing on our efforts, is essential.    

In what ways do you think the biotech sector can further encourage and empower women to pursue leadership positions and entrepreneurial opportunities?
It is about recognising and understanding why this is not always a level playing field. The biotech sector has come a long way and leadership teams, whether here at NMD or other biotechs, can continue making a concerted effort to give truly equal opportunities, actively monitoring for possible challenges, and removing conscious and unconscious biases where they hinder individual and company growth. 

How does NMD Pharma try to nurture a culture where everyone involve in the business feels fairly included and valued?
As CEO, it is my responsibility to ensure our culture gives everyone a platform, no matter their gender, background, or personality, to name just a few metrics, where they feel seen, heard, and valued. Each and every one of our team’s opinions matters and it is essential to present multiple avenues where individuals can input their perspectives. It is not just about putting your hand up at a town hall meeting, but also offering that olive branch at multiple dimensions to give all employees a chance to make a difference.