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PM360 2026 Trailblazer Awards Winners Announced: Top Companies, Marketers, CEOs, Products, and Initiatives Honored at Gala, Sept. 29th

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ABT Abbott was recognized as a Company of the Year in the Medical Device/Diagnostics category, indicating positive industry recognition for its achievements. AZN AstraZeneca was honored as a Company of the Year in the Pharmaceutical/Biotech category, signifying industry recognition for its performance. CYTK Cytokinetics was recognized as a Company of the Year in the Specialty Pharma/Biotech category, indicating positive industry recognition for its achievements. ARDX Ardelyx was recognized for its IBSRELA Marketing Team and also had a podcast recognized, indicating positive recognition for its marketing and communication efforts. LLY Eli Lilly & Co.'s Chief Marketing Officer was recognized with an award, highlighting leadership and marketing excellence within the company. REGN Regeneron Pharmaceuticals was recognized for its marketing efforts in both HCP marketing and consumer marketing, indicating strong performance in these areas. NVO Novo Nordisk's Wegovy brand was recognized as Brand of the Year and its website also received an award, indicating strong brand performance and digital marketing success. KURA Kura Oncology was recognized for its Product Launch of the Year and also for its Digital Strategy, indicating success in both product introduction and digital marketing. NOV Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation received multiple awards for AI/Innovation and Brand Champion in various categories, highlighting their commitment to innovation and marketing excellence. BMY Bristol Myers Squibb was recognized for its AI/Innovation initiative and also for its CNS marketing efforts, indicating strength in both technological advancement and specialized marketing. MRK Merck Animal Health's Brand Manager was recognized as a Brand Champion for Animal Health, highlighting specific achievements in that sector. ARGX Argenx's US HCP Marketing Lead was recognized as a Brand Champion for Autoimmune/Rheumatology, indicating recognition for their marketing efforts in a specific therapeutic area. BMRN BioMarin's Director, US Caregiver Lead was recognized as a Brand Champion for DTC marketing, highlighting their success in direct-to-consumer strategies. TAK Takeda's Senior Director, Head of IBD Brand Marketing was recognized as a Brand Champion, indicating recognition for their marketing efforts in the IBD space. VRTX Vertex Pharmaceuticals' Senior Director was recognized as a Brand Champion for Apheresis & Infusion Operations in North America Hematology, highlighting specific operational and marketing achievements. GSK GSK Vaccines' Marketing Director was recognized as a Brand Champion for Infectious Disease/Vaccine Development, highlighting their success in a crucial public health area. APMD Apnimed's Vice President was recognized as a Brand Champion for Innovation/Digital Strategy, indicating a focus on and success in leveraging new technologies. GKOS Glaukos Corporation was recognized for its marketing efforts in Ophthalmology/Optometry and also received awards for HCP Education and Professional Campaign, indicating strong marketing and educational outreach. GEN Genentech's Senior Marketing Director was recognized as a Brand Champion for Patient Engagement, highlighting their success in connecting with and supporting patients. LAR Larimar Therapeutics, Inc.'s Executive Director, Marketing was recognized as a Brand Champion for Rare Diseases, highlighting their marketing efforts in this specialized area. ABBV AbbVie received awards for its AI/Data Analytics initiative and also for its Women's Health marketing, indicating success in both technological adoption and specific market segments. INCY Incyte was recognized for its Direct-to-Patient Campaign, indicating successful outreach and engagement with patients. GILD Gilead Sciences, Inc. received awards for HCP Education and Interactive/Immersive Marketing Program, highlighting their success in educating professionals and utilizing innovative marketing techniques. MOD Moderna was recognized for its Holographic Augmented Reality KOL Integrations, indicating innovation in marketing through immersive technology. IQV IQVIA's Integrated Patient Support Technology Suite was recognized for Persistence/Adherence Program, highlighting their technological solutions for patient support. PFE Pfizer was recognized for its podcast on the value of vaccines, indicating engagement in public health communication and education. ALGN Align Technology was recognized for its Team Invisalign Social Media Campaign, indicating success in leveraging social media for brand promotion. SCL Scholar Rock was recognized for a Video/TV Campaign, indicating their work in video advertising and promotion.

PM360 2026 Trailblazer Awards Winners Announced: Top Companies, Marketers, CEOs, Products, and Initiatives Honored at Gala, Sept. 29th NEW YORK, Oct. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- PM360 announced the 2026 Trailblazer Awards winners at the annual gala held at New York City's Gotham Hall, Tuesday, Sept. 29th. PM360, the leading pharmaceutical marketing industry B2B publication, established the Trailblazer Awards in 2009 to recognize and honor outstanding companies, marketers, marketing teams, brand managers, and initiatives that have demonstrated innovation and achieved incredible results in the life sciences.

"This year's winners remind us how much is possible when bold thinking meets a deep commitment to better healthcare," said Anna Stashower, CEO and Publisher of PM360. "They're challenging assumptions, finding new ways to connect with patients and providers, and turning complex challenges into opportunities to advance care. Their achievements set a high standard for our industry and inspire us all to think bigger about the difference we can make."

The Trailblazer Awards honor achievements in nine overall categories, including Company of the Year, CEO of the Year, Product of the Year, Marketer of the Year, Marketing Team of the Year, CMO of the Year, Lifetime Achievement, Brand Champions, and Initiatives. In total, PM360 announced over 70 winners across categories ranging from the Lifetime Achievement Award, CEO of the Year Awards, Brand Champions, Initiatives, Product of the Year, and Marketing Team of the Year.

Award finalists and winners were judged and selected by the PM360 Editorial Advisory Board, comprising some of the most forward-thinking leaders in their respective fields. Winning Companies showed achievement in various areas including innovation, talent development, and social responsibility. Brand Champions, Marketers, and Marketing Teams were judged on their skill, dedication, impact, and effectiveness of their work. Initiative entries were evaluated on the innovation, quality, and effectiveness of the work. Products of the Year (including Brand of the Year, Most Innovative New Product, and Product Launch of the Year) were judged based on their innovation in treating patients, the uniqueness of branding strategy, and their ultimate contribution to the overall healthcare system. Finally, the CEOs of the Year were selected based on their ability to thrive in all aspects of leadership, such as establishing a company culture where individuals feel safe, respected, valued and motivated; displaying a unique vision, resulting in exceptional success; and earning respect from industry colleagues due to their morals, reputation, and character.

Profiles of all of the winners will be included in PM360's November/December issue.

The Winners Are:

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT WINNER

Alex Gorsky, Former CEO and Chairman of Johnson & Johnson

COMPANY OF THE YEAR: ADVERTISING AGENCY

Elevate Healthcare Marketing

COMPANY OF THE YEAR: MEDICAL DEVICE/DIAGNOSTICS

Abbott

COMPANY OF THE YEAR: PHARMACEUTICAL/BIOTECH

AstraZeneca

COMPANY OF THE YEAR: SPECIALTY PHARMA/BIOTECH

Cytokinetics

COMPANY OF THE YEAR: SUPPLIER/VENDOR

Populus Health Technologies

ADVERTISING AGENCY CEO OF THE YEAR WINNER

Tom McDonnell, CEO (Benchworks)

LIFE SCIENCES MANUFACTURER CEO OF THE YEAR WINNER

Mike Raab, CEO (Ardelyx)

CMO OF THE YEAR WINNER

Lina Polimeni, Chief Marketing Officer (Eli Lilly & Co.)

MARKETER OF THE YEAR

Alice Clapsaddle, Director, HCP Marketing, EYLEA HD (Regeneron Pharmaceuticals)

MARKETING TEAM OF THE YEAR SILVER WINNER

IBSRELA Marketing Team (Ardelyx)

MARKETING TEAM OF THE YEAR GOLD WINNER

CKD Market Development Team (Boehringer Ingelheim)

BRAND OF THE YEAR

Wegovy Pill (Novo Nordisk)

MOST INNOVATIVE NEW PRODUCT

ZEVASKYN® [prademagene zamikeracel] (Abeona Therapeutics)

PRODUCT LAUNCH OF THE YEAR

KOMZIFTI (Kura Oncology and Kyowa Kirin [with Confideo Media and BGBx])

Relaunch/Revitalization of the Year

BIJUVA (Mayne Pharma Commercial LLC)

BRAND CHAMPION AWARD WINNERS

AI/Innovation: Xavier Hansen, Director, Innovation Lab - Emerging, Immersive and Experiential Technologies (AI / XR), Novartis

AI/Innovation: Joanne Kallas-Lewis, VP, HCM Marketing, Bristol Myers Squibb

Animal Health: Katie Jordan, Brand Manager, US Companion Animal Business Unit, Merck Animal Health

Autoimmune/Rheumatology: Selena Bauer, US HCP Marketing Lead, argenx

Autoimmune/Rheumatology: Maria Spaulding, Executive Director, Sr. Marketing Strategist - Ianalumab, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation

Cardiology: Kristen Miller, Vice President, Brand Communications, LIB Therapeutics, Inc.

Cardiopulmonary: Michelle Gallant, Senior Director of U.S. Marketing, Liquidia

CNS: Patti Russo, Worldwide VP, Immunology Global Commercial Strategy, Bristol Myers Squibb

Dermatology: Brittany Mathes, Senior Director, DUPIXENT Consumer Marketing, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals

Diabetes/Metabolic Disorders: Elaine Goldwater, Senior Director, Endocrinology Marketing, Recordati Rare Diseases

Digital Strategy: Veronica Tripp, VP, Marketing and Commercial Strategy, Kura Oncology

DTC: Leslie Salomone, Director, US Caregiver Lead – Skeletal Conditions, BioMarin

Gastrointestinal: Corey Schwartz, Senior Director, Head of IBD Brand Marketing, Takeda

HCP Engagement: Samantha Yakal-Kremski, Director, Global Oncology Congress Strategy & Branding, Daiichi Sankyo

HCP Engagement: Crystal Deters, Senior Director, Apheresis & Infusion Operations, North America Hematology, Vertex Pharmaceuticals

Hematology/Oncology: Michelle Jimenez, Associate Director, Rare Blood Patient Experience, Novo Nordisk

Hematology/Oncology: Rebeca Bechily, Head of Marketing, PharmaEssentia

Infectious Disease/Vaccine Development: Rob Peck, Marketing Director, Customer Experience, GSK Vaccines

Innovation/Digital Strategy: Steven Xie, Vice President, Enterprise Omnichannel & Communications, Apnimed

Managed Markets/Payer Strategies: Nianwei (Nina) Qiu, U.S. Oncology Market Access Strategy Lead, IO-GI, AstraZeneca

Managed Markets/Payer Strategies: Niu (Amy) Niu, Director, Market Access Marketing, Sumitomo Pharma America, Inc.

Men's Health: Denise Campbell, VP of Marketing, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation

Nephrology/Urology: Samantha Meyers, Sr. Director of Digital Strategy, Bayer Pharmaceuticals

Ophthalmology/Optometry: Matt Gibson, Senior Director of Marketing, Interventional Dry Eye, Sight Sciences

Ophthalmology/Optometry: Lisa Jensen, Senior Director, Global Marketing - Corneal Health, Glaukos Corporation

Patient Engagement: Shefali Upton, Senior Marketing Director, Genentech

Rare Diseases: Meghan Pawlak, Lead, Marketing, Global Rare Diseases, Chiesi USA, Inc.

Rare Diseases: David Chu, MBA, Executive Director, Marketing, Larimar Therapeutics, Inc.

Respiratory: Jenn Monahan, Associate Director, Consumer Marketing, Regeneron Healthcare Solutions

Women's Health: Kris Gotschal, Head of Marketing, ELAHERE, AbbVie

Women's Health: Vincent Mesolella, Director of Marketing, Women's Health Division, Mayne Pharma Commercial LLC

INITIATIVE SILVER AND GOLD WINNERS:

APP/DIGITAL SOLUTION OR SUITE SILVER WINNER

Asentech's Amplifi™ & ANKTIVA®: High Value HCP Engagement Engine (ASENTECH LLC)

APP/DIGITAL SOLUTION OR SUITE GOLD WINNER

STEM AI (Inizio Ignite)

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE/DATA ANALYTICS INITIATIVE SILVER WINNER:

Bristol Myers Squibb Speeds the Path to Compliant Content with Agentic MLR (Bristol Myers Squibb and Veeva)

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE/DATA ANALYTICS INITIATIVE GOLD WINNER:

AbbVie Copay Enablement and Copay Center of Excellence + ConnectiveRx (AbbVie)

CONSUMER WEBSITE/ONLINE INITIATIVE SILVER WINNER:

DETECT THE SOS (Boehringer Ingelheim & Inizio Evoke)

CONSUMER WEBSITE/ONLINE INITIATIVE GOLD WINNER:

Wegovy.com (Novo Nordisk and Inizio Evoke)

DIRECT-TO-CONSUMER CAMPAIGN SILVER WINNER:

LILY AND KAYLEB (Biolumina, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Aspekt, Outsider Editorial, Company 3, Alter Ego, Bumblebeat, and Mr. Bronx)

DIRECT-TO-CONSUMER CAMPAIGN GOLD WINNER:

Say Yep to Vyepti (Lundbeck and EVERSANA INTOUCH)

DIRECT-TO-PATIENT CAMPAIGN SILVER WINNER:

ZILBRYSQ Zillions (UCB & EVERSANA INTOUCH)

DIRECT-TO-PATIENT CAMPAIGN GOLD WINNER:

Get Out There and Live It (Incyte, Real Chemistry, and starpower, part of Real Chemistry)

HCP EDUCATION SILVER WINNER:

YEZTUGO® (lenacapavir) Nurse Educator Field Program for the Launch of a First-in-Class Long-Acting Preventive Injectable for HIV Prevention (Momentum Life Sciences and Gilead)

HCP EDUCATION GOLD WINNER:

The Flood - iDose TR (Glaukos Corporation and Moon Rabbit)

INTERACTIVE/IMMERSIVE MARKETING PROGRAM SILVER WINNER:

Moderna Holographic Augmented Reality KOL Integrations (Confideo Labs)

INTERACTIVE/IMMERSIVE MARKETING PROGRAM GOLD WINNER:

TRODELVY "In Your Hands" (Gilead Sciences, Inc. and EVERSANA INTOUCH)

PATIENT/CONSUMER EDUCATION SILVER WINNER:

Beyond mLM (Palvella Therapeutics and Deerfield Group)

PATIENT/CONSUMER EDUCATION GOLD WINNER:

Postpartum Depression MED Select (Bionical Solutions)

PERSISTENCE/ADHERENCE PROGRAM SILVER WINNER:

Nurse Navigator Patient Support Program for Rare and Refractory Epilepsy (Momentum Life Sciences)

PERSISTENCE/ADHERENCE PROGRAM GOLD WINNER:

IQVIA's Integrated Patient Support Technology Suite (IQVIA)

PODCASTS SILVER WINNER:

The Value of Vaccines (The Value Builders, A Bloc Agency and Pfizer)

PODCASTS GOLD WINNER:

Gut Matters: Discoveries and Innovations (Ardelyx)

POINT OF CARE SILVER WINNER:

DETECT THE SOS (Boehringer Ingelheim & Inizio Evoke)

POINT OF CARE GOLD WINNER:

FINTEPLA ONWARD Patient Support Program (OLIXIR New York, Spectrum Science, UCB)

PROFESSIONAL CAMPAIGN SILVER WINNER:

ImmunityBio Anktiva — You Want A Piece of Me? (SFC Group)

PROFESSIONAL CAMPAIGN GOLD WINNER:

The Flood - iDose TR (Glaukos Corporation and Moon Rabbit)

PROFESSIONAL WEBSITE/ONLINE INITIATIVE SILVER WINNER:

The Flood - iDose TR (Glaukos Corporation and Moon Rabbit)

PROFESSIONAL WEBSITE/ONLINE INITIATIVE GOLD WINNER:

FINTEPLA: More Room to Grow (OLIXIR New York and UCB)

SALES AID SILVER WINNER:

VNS Therapy: Implant the Future of Seizure Control (Elevate Healthcare Marketing)

SALES AID GOLD WINNER:

BIJUVA Viva The One (Mayne Pharma Commercial LLC and Moon Rabbit)

SELF-PROMOTION/CORPORATE CAMPAIGN SILVER WINNER:

Virtual Care in America: The Populus Report (Populus Health Technologies, DHC Group, PM360, and ResearchScape International)

SELF-PROMOTION/CORPORATE CAMPAIGN GOLD WINNER:

Elevate Healthcare Marketing: Rise Above (Elevate Healthcare Marketing)

SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN SILVER WINNER:

Team Invisalign: Game Changers (Smarty Social and Align Technology)

SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN GOLD WINNER:

Patient Voice Forward Campaign (Swoop)

UNBRANDED CAMPAIGN SILVER WINNER:

AxD Is Not A Myth (Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Spectrum Science)

UNBRANDED CAMPAIGN GOLD WINNER:

Beware of Aldo Sterone (Deerfield Group and AstraZeneca)

VIDEO/TV CAMPAIGN SILVER WINNER:

Life Takes Muscle Connected TV spot (Scholar Rock, CG Life (AOR) in partnership with: Moon Rabbit, Uncapped Communications, and Nametag Films)

VIDEO/TV CAMPAIGN GOLD WINNER:

ZILBRYSQ Zillions (UCB and EVERSANA INTOUCH)

About PM360

PM360 is the premier, must-read magazine for marketing decision makers in the pharmaceutical, biotech, diagnostics, and medical device industries. Published monthly, PM360 is the only journal that focuses on delivering the full spectrum of practical information necessary for product managers and pharmaceutical marketing professionals to succeed in the complex and highly regulated healthcare environment.

The journal's targeted and insightful editorial focuses on issues that directly impact critical decision making, including: Planning and implementation of cutting-edge strategies, trends, the latest technological advances, branding/marketing, advertising/promotion, patient/professional education, sales, market research, PR, and leadership. Additionally, the "360" in the title signifies the span of this critical, how-to info with personal and career insights for an enjoyable and thought-provoking read. By providing a full circle of enriching content, PM360 is truly an indispensable tool for busy and productive marketing professionals to stay at the top of their game.

Contact:

Gabrielle Smith

Senior Editor, PM360

646-300-8113

Gabriela L. Laracca

Managing Editor, PM360

646-300-8114

SOURCE PM360