The power of our collaborative team
The human body is made up of trillions of cells, each with a unique role and purpose, that operate in harmony to fuel our existence. Similarly, the BMS Cell Therapy Organization is made up of thousands of people with disparate credentials and job functions who come together for a singular purpose: to bring the life-saving potential of these bespoke medicines to as many patients as possible.
At every step of the process — from research to regulatory and medical affairs, to the critical manufacturing and delivery of cell therapy to patients — the dedication and passion of each member of our team are vital to ensuring these groundbreaking therapies get to those who need them.
To gain a better understanding of this complex ecosystem On a Cellular Level, below you will find insights from a few of the many teams within the Cell Therapy Organization whose collective efforts are driving this progress. Because together, we’re not just advancing cell therapy—we're working to shape a brighter future for patients worldwide.
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Today, only about two out of 10 CAR T eligible patients in the U.S. receive a CAR T cell therapy. At BMS, it is more important than ever that we make it easier to remove barriers to care and easier for patients and their caregivers to access these transformative therapies. Every day, I feel both optimistic and grateful for our diverse teams that work tirelessly to bring these transformative treatments to patients around the world. I find myself continually inspired by the dedication of my incredible colleagues—their commitment is truly what drives us forward. After all, the promise of cell therapy is realized not only through cutting-edge science, but also through the collaboration, dedication, and expertise of our people.
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On a Cellular Level Live
Testimonials from the Cell Therapy Organization
Tyler Koop, vice president of Strategy, Early Assets and Business Development for Cell Therapy, speaks to the collaborative spirit that drives his team’s success.
“We view our work as a team sport. Our strategy touches every function, so cross-functional collaboration is essential. From evaluating new external innovations to advancing our early asset portfolio, we rely on partnerships across the Cell Therapy Organization—whether it's clinical development or business development—to bring forward therapies that can offer patients the potential for meaningful improvements in their lives.”
Looking ahead, the team is focused on achieving key milestones that will continue to drive progress in cell therapy. This includes advancing novel therapies through clinical development to expand our portfolio, deepening our strategic partnerships, and supporting the growth of CAR T utilization with our commercial products. These efforts are critical to delivering the promise of cell therapy to more patients—across a broader range of diseases, including autoimmune, as well as extending access across more geographies.
Peter VanPelt, senior director of Global Patient Advocacy for Cell Therapy & Hematology, describes how the patient advocacy team places patient voices, experiences, and needs at the core of every effort.
“By strengthening our partnerships with patient advocacy groups, creating educational resources for patients and caregivers, and advocating for health equity, we work to expand patient access to innovative treatments like CAR T cell therapy. We embed these patient insights into our strategies to empower patients, support caregivers, and help address gaps in care.”
Looking ahead, the team’s focus will be on expanding patient access, strengthening advocacy partnerships, and raising awareness and understanding of these advanced therapies. The team is committed to reinforcing patient empowerment, ensuring every patient feels heard, supported, and valued throughout their journey. Through ongoing collaboration across the Cell Therapy Organization, the team will continue to amplify patient voices, drive education, and improve access to life-changing therapies for patients around the world.
Jessica Cairns, vice president and head of Medical Affairs for Cell Therapy, highlights the pivotal role her team plays in bridging science and clinical practice to bring innovative treatments to patients.
“Medical Affairs serves as the bridge from science to clinical practice—and back. We ensure that the groundbreaking therapies we develop not only reach the clinic but also have a meaningful impact on patient care. Our goal is to transform the way diseases are treated and make a real difference in patients’ lives.”
Looking ahead, the medical team is focused on expanding the use of CAR T cell therapies in hematologic malignancies and further advancing the treatment landscape. In addition, they are also committed to educating providers about the potential application of cell therapy to autoimmune diseases. These efforts are vital to advancing cell therapies and reshaping the treatment landscape for patients worldwide.
Becky Holman, senior director of CAR T Cell Therapy Cross-Functional Operations, shares her team’s role in bringing cell therapy to patients worldwide.
“'Cross-functional' is literally in our titles—without it, we cannot do our daily jobs. Our team is responsible for training global affiliates on the CAR T onboarding process and leading operational readiness for launches worldwide. We focus on streamlining processes and supporting ongoing commercial activities. A great example of our teamwork is the local and global launch readiness forums we lead. We bring together teams from quality, finance, operations, compliance, regulatory, and more to ensure we overcome barriers for timely launches in new markets.”
Looking ahead, the team is focused on expanding cell therapy access to new countries, optimizing onboarding processes for future therapies, and growing the global treatment site footprint, which already includes over 300 treatment centers across the U.S., EU, Switzerland and Japan. These goals are vital to delivering on our promise and ensuring these potentially transformative therapies reach more patients.
Thomas Potgieter, senior vice president of Global Cell Therapy Development & Operations, stresses the critical role of innovation in advancing cell therapy manufacturing.
“Our goal is to develop scalable, reliable, and cost-effective manufacturing processes to ensure life-saving therapies can reach patients in need. By pushing the boundaries of what's possible, we’re not only overcoming the technical challenges but also enabling access to these therapies on a much larger scale globally.”
Looking ahead, the team is focused on optimizing production processes and expanding capacity to meet increasing demand. By strengthening collaboration with cross-functional teams, they aim to ensure a steady, reliable supply of cell therapies, enabling access for patients around the world. Their work is crucial to meeting the growing needs of the cell therapy landscape and delivering on our promise to transform patient care.