Genentech executive Fritz Bittenbender: Beware political soundbites
- Fritz Bittenbender leads Genentech's efforts in addressing biotech policy challenges through strategies that focus on health equity and adherence to ethical pricing, ensuring patient access to innovative medicines.
- Genentech is committed to advancing health equity by increasing clinical trial diversity, engaging in community partnerships, and advocating for policy reforms that ensure equitable access to healthcare, including biomarker testing and enhancements to the 340B program.
- In response to industry changes, Genentech has adopted Agile management practices, particularly in their Government Affairs division, to enhance flexibility and innovation, enabling rapid adaptation to the ever-evolving biotech landscape.
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As Election Day draws near, the biotech industry is grappling with pressing issues that could significantly impact its future. Among the leading companies in this sector, Genentech stands out for its commitment to advancing health equity and fostering inclusive research. At the forefront of this effort is Fritz Bittenbender, the Senior Vice President and Head of Genentech Public Affairs & Access. In an exclusive conversation with STAT's First Opinion, Bittenbender shared his insights on the industry's challenges and the strategies Genentech is employing to address them.
A Lifetime of Leadership in Biotech
Fritz Bittenbender has been a stalwart in the biotech industry, with a career spanning over two decades. His journey began in state government, where he served as the Secretary of Administration for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This role not only honed his administrative skills but also provided him with a comprehensive understanding of the American healthcare system. His tenure as Deputy Chief of Staff to former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge further solidified his expertise in public policy.
Bittenbender's transition into the biopharmaceutical industry was marked by his leadership roles at Cephalon and Pennsylvania BIO (now Life Sciences Pennsylvania). His experience as President of Pennsylvania BIO and Vice President of Global Public Affairs at Cephalon showcased his ability to navigate complex regulatory landscapes and foster strategic partnerships.
From Public Affairs to Executive Leadership
In 2016, Bittenbender joined Genentech, where he quickly rose through the ranks. Named Senior Vice President and Head of Public Affairs & Access in 2022, he now oversees a wide range of critical functions including Access & Policy Strategy, Channel & Contract Management, Charitable Giving, Corporate Communications, Evidence for Access, and External Affairs including Government Affairs & Policy and Patient Advocacy Relations. This multifaceted role requires him to balance the company's pricing philosophy with its commitment to patient access, ensuring that every patient can access Genentech’s life-saving medicines.
The Science of Pricing: A Key Challenge
One of the most contentious issues in the biotech industry today is drug pricing. The high costs of medications have led to widespread criticism, with many calling for more transparent and sustainable pricing models. Genentech, however, has taken a proactive approach to addressing this challenge.
Systemic Changes for Reducing Costs
Genentech's pricing philosophy is designed to strike a balance between ensuring patients have rapid, broad, and sustainable access to their medicines while preserving the company's ability to invest in future scientific innovations. This involves mindful pricing actions and meaningful transparency along the entire delivery chain. By unlocking the promise of personalized healthcare through increased access to biomarker testing, Genentech aims to reduce costs and maintain the quality of their medicines.
Advancing Health Equity: A Ground-Up Approach
Health equity is a pressing concern in the biotech industry, particularly when it comes to clinical trial diversity. Genentech has actively engaged in initiatives aimed at increasing participation from underrepresented communities. This commitment started with a question: Why are communities of color underrepresented in clinical research studies? A team of visionary employees at Genentech came together to address this issue and tackle the root causes of systemic health inequities.
Removing Barriers and Integrating Health Equity
Genentech's initial focus was on removing barriers for underserved patients to participate in clinical trials. However, the company soon realized that this was just the beginning. To create meaningful change, health equity needed to be integrated into every aspect of their work, from clinical study design to access and policy priorities to community investments. This approach involves listening to and amplifying local voices and collaborating to uncover and address disparities in care.
Community Engagement and Partnerships
Genentech's community engagement extends beyond Michigan, with collaborations like the one with the American Cancer Society (ACS) and the American Diabetes Association (ADA). These partnerships aim to create sustainable programs at the national, regional, and local levels to advance equitable access across the care continuum for patients. By working closely with these organizations, Genentech seeks to address systemic inequities and improve patient outcomes.
Policy Reforms: Ensuring Equity-Focused Policymaking
Partnering with communities also means engaging policymakers in solutions-oriented discussions to address health inequities. Genentech's priorities include ensuring equitable access to biomarker testing, improving clinical trial diversity, and reforming the 340B program to ensure it benefits the patients who need it most. These policy reforms are crucial for creating a more accessible and equitable healthcare system.
Biomarker Testing and Clinical Trials
Since 2021, over a dozen states have enacted new legislation requiring coverage of comprehensive biomarker testing when supported by clinical guidelines and medical evidence. Genentech has actively advocated for these reforms, recognizing the importance of biomarker testing in personalized medicine. Additionally, the company has been working to improve clinical trial diversity at the federal level, ensuring that diverse representations are included in research studies to better reflect the needs of all patients.
The 340B Program: A Tool for Health Equity
The 340B program is essential for true safety net providers, as it helps address health inequities within their communities. However, concerns about the program's evolution and potential to exacerbate health inequities due to a lack of transparency and oversight require prompt attention. Genentech is partnering with stakeholders to advocate for reforms, ensuring that the program benefits the patients who need it most.
Adapting to Agile: A New Way of Working
In response to increased competition from startups and biosimilar drugs, Genentech has adopted Agile management practices across the company. This shift from top-down decision-making to small, high-performing teams driving strategy and innovation for each therapeutic area has made Genentech more nimble and retain its pioneering status. The Government Affairs division, led by Fritz Bittenbender, has also undergone significant changes, embracing Agile-inspired ways of working to define its future.
Implementing Agile in Government Affairs
The adaptation to Agile in the Government Affairs division was no easy feat. Fritz Bittenbender knew that the division's usual ways of working were no longer efficient or fluid. By partnering with Navigate, a consulting firm that excels in implementation, they were able to create a new vision for the Government Affairs unit that was flexible, scalable, and adaptable. This transformation was not just about adapting to change but also about ensuring seamless transition from strategy to action.
Building Meaningful Partnerships
At Genentech, building meaningful partnerships is critical for driving positive change in the healthcare system. By fostering inclusive research and health equity, the company aims to break down existing barriers in pursuit of innovation and progress. This commitment is reflected in its political giving through the Genentech Political Action Committee (PAC), which supports state and federal candidates who share their belief in scientific innovation and patient access.
Collaborative Approaches to Policy Advocacy
Genentech’s association engagement includes Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), California Life Sciences Association (CLSA), U.S. Chamber of Commerce (USCC), and the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). These partnerships help drive consensus on policy, business, and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion priorities, advocating for solutions that will benefit patients, the healthcare system, and society as a whole.
Conclusion
As Election Day 2024 approaches, the biotech industry faces numerous challenges that require thoughtful and collaborative solutions. Genentech, under the leadership of Fritz Bittenbender, is at the forefront of addressing these issues. From advancing health equity to adapting to Agile management practices, Genentech’s commitment to innovation and patient access is unwavering. As the industry continues to evolve, it is clear that meaningful partnerships and inclusive policies will be essential for creating a more accessible and equitable healthcare system for all.
