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In the words of our judges
”Kate has brought hope to patients with allergic and inflammatory diseases, introducing revolutionary treatments and improving lives through bold decisions, scientific innovation and an unwavering dedication to patient wellbeing.”
As CEO of biopharmaceutical company Blueprint Medicines, Kate Haviland doesn’t measure success solely in financial terms but in impact on patients’ lives. By making tough calls in critical moments, Haviland has achieved significant advancements and remarkable success. Under her leadership, Blueprint Medicines is commercializing its FDA-approved medicine AYVAKIT (avapritinib) in the US and Europe. But that treatment’s success arose out of a potentially devastating setback and Haviland’s ability to navigate through uncertainty.
In 2020, a Blueprint Medicines drug slated to be a core product fell short of expectations in a Phase 3 trial. The failure put the company at a crossroads. It was unclear whether the company should further pursue the treatment it had invested so much time and labor into or pursue a new direction. Haviland made the bold decision to pivot the company’s focus to researching a treatment for systemic mastocytosis, a rare blood disease.
While that pivot meant closing the door on years of work, it proved to be the correct call. Avapritinib was brought from discovery to commercialization in record time, ultimately positioning AYVAKIT to become one of the most successful rare disease launches in biotech history. In 2023, approximately 3,800 patients received avapritinib through clinical studies, compassionate use and commercial sales. The drug also has become the cornerstone of Blueprint Medicines’ growing franchise in mast cell-mediated diseases targeting allergic and inflammatory diseases where mast cells play a central role.
Haviland joined Blueprint as Chief Business Officer in 2016 and quickly rose to Chief Executive Officer through a leadership style that emphasizes employee fulfillment and genuine patient connections. She has pursued a vision for enhancing Blueprint’s research and development capabilities through expanding the company’s scientific platform and adopting advanced technologies. In turn, Haviland prioritizes a culture of financial discipline and innovation, ensuring that Blueprint remains at the forefront of scientific discovery and transforming the executive team to enhance diversity.
Haviland’s ability to respond to big challenges by making bold choices embodies the spirit of entrepreneurship and has improved the lives of patients around the world.