Author: [AUTHOR] Published on 11/1/2025 12:00:00 AM
Michael Forstner, MPH, MSc, PhD, Head of Global Patient Safety Science, Swedish Orphan Biovitrum (SOBI)
Why did you choose to participate in the Career Connect program?
I had a very non-linear career, characterized by many interdisciplinary roles, moving from academia into industry R&D and then further into executive leadership of biotech companies. By participating in the Career Connect program I would like to share learnings and experiences with younger colleagues and encourage them to be brave and bold, and to explore whatever captivates them.
What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?
I accomplished a few “industry firsts” over the years, but one that I am particularly proud of was the development of the first-ever digital risk minimization tool for an oncology drug with significant teratogenicity risks. We designed a tool to interactively educate women of childbearing potential about the risks associated with the treatment and incorporated measures to evaluate whether the tool was used and how, in order to show the level of uptake, deployed it globally and had to overcome many hurdles, both, company internal as well as from regulatory authorities. There were no live births reported with this medication as long as I was surveying the project.
What has been the greatest challenge in your career?
Balancing my career goals and my desire to be with my children when they grew up. I am not sure I always managed this well.
When you are note working, how do you spend your free time?
I love to be outdoors with my family and our dogs, go hiking, skiing, and horseback riding.
What was your childhood dream job?
A good friend of our family’s was a geologist/mineralogist and owned a vineyard. As a boy with a keen interest in minerals and fossils that was what I also wanted to be.
What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
I am a certified ski instructor.
Dr. Forstner has been a member of ASCPT since 2019.
