Catherine Priestley

Head of BioPharmaceuticals R&D Communications, Global Corporate Affairs at AstraZeneca, communicating how we’re unlocking the power of what science can do to deliver life-changing medicines to patients.

Catherine Priestley is a seasoned corporate affairs professional currently serving as the Head of Global Corporate Affairs for Cardiovascular, Renal, and Metabolism (CVRM) at AstraZeneca, a position she has held since November 2022. In this role, she is part of AstraZeneca’s Global Corporate Affairs Leadership Team, focusing on public relations, communications, policy, and patient advocacy to enhance treatment outcomes for complex diseases.1 2

Professional Background

Priestley has a long tenure at AstraZeneca, having joined the company in 2003. Her career progression includes several key roles:

Head of BioPharmaceuticals R&D and cross-R&D Communications (May 2019 - Present): She led communications for the BioPharmaceuticals R&D organization, aligning efforts with Oncology and Rare Disease R&D.1
Director of IMED Communications (September 2018 - November 2022): In this capacity, she managed communications for the IMED Biotech Unit, emphasizing early scientific innovations across various therapy areas.1
Science Communications Associate Director (November 2013 - April 2016): Here, she developed scientific content and led events to boost the visibility of the IMED portfolio.1

Education

Catherine holds a BSc with First Class Honours in Medical Science from Birmingham University (1996-2000) and a PhD in Molecular and Genetic Toxicology from Imperial College London (2000-2003).1

Contributions and Vision

Priestley is dedicated to leveraging scientific advancements to deliver life-changing medicines to patients. Her work aims to amplify AstraZeneca's pipeline and celebrate scientific progress both internally and externally.1 2 She actively engages with the scientific community and participates in various initiatives to promote health outcomes through effective communication strategies.3

Overall, Catherine Priestley exemplifies leadership in corporate affairs within the pharmaceutical industry, focusing on impactful communication strategies that align with AstraZeneca's mission to improve patient lives.