Maria Belvisi

Maria Belvisi is a prominent figure in the field of respiratory pharmacology and research. She currently serves as the Senior Vice President (SVP) of Research and Early Development for Respiratory & Immunology in BioPharmaceuticals R&D at AstraZeneca, a position she has held since April 2019.1

Career Highlights

AstraZeneca: Maria joined AstraZeneca in September 2017 as Vice President of Respiratory, Inflammation and Autoimmune (RIA) Innovative Medicines, based in Gothenburg, Sweden.1 In her current role, she leads early-stage research and development in chronic lung diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and chronic cough.2

Academic Career: Alongside her industry role, Maria is a Professor of Respiratory Pharmacology at Imperial College London, a position she has held since August 2000.1 Her research focuses on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of respiratory diseases, aiming to develop new therapies.2

Previous Experience: Prior to joining AstraZeneca, Maria led a team at Rhône-Poulenc Rorer (now Aventis Pharma) from 1997 to 2000, focusing on respiratory disease.12

Education and Achievements

Maria holds a PhD in Pharmacology from Imperial College London and a BSc in Pharmacology from King's College London.1

Her notable achievements include:

• Elected as an Honorary Fellow of the British Pharmacological Society in 20191
• Served as research director for the European Respiratory Society from 2013 to 20162
• Recipient of several awards, including the British Pharmacological Society AstraZeneca Women in Pharmacology Prize and the Woman in Inflammation Science Award2

Entrepreneurship and Publications

In 2010, Maria co-founded IR Pharma, a preclinical respiratory drug discovery organization, with her colleague Dr. Mark Birrell.12

She has authored numerous scientific papers on respiratory illnesses and treatments, many of which have been widely cited in the field.2

Maria Belvisi's extensive experience in both academia and industry, coupled with her leadership roles and research contributions, have established her as a key figure in respiratory pharmacology and drug development.