Tom McDonnell’s entrepreneurial spirit has been a driving force throughout his career. When he made a career shift and moved into the commercial services sector of the life sciences industry after two decades in commercial roles at multiple large pharmaceutical manufacturers, his proactive approach to finding innovative ways to enhance industry standards was evident.
He decided to pivot and attempt to help solve the small life science gap he recognized and this came to fruition when he co-founded BW Health Group. Today, BW Health Group is recognized as a leader in consulting and agency services, particularly for the burgeoning fields of cell and gene therapy.
The BW Health Group is a commercialization platform purpose-built for small and mid-sized life science and pharmaceutical companies. The platform is made up of three business units, including Benchworks, a full-service pharma creative agency, BW Consulting, a management consultancy for pharma and biotech, and Kander, a patient feedback platform.
“Tom’s unwavering drive, ability to achieve ambitious goals, inspiring leadership style, and significant career accomplishments have established him as a titan in both the pharmaceutical and pharmaceutical marketing industries,” said his staff. “Throughout his career, Tom has not only earned the trust of his peers by successfully handling increasing responsibilities, but he has also significantly influenced the markets in which he operates.”
McDonnell’s most notable contributions have recently placed him at the forefront of the rapidly evolving field of cell and gene therapy, an area promising revolutionary advancements in medical treatments. McDonnell led the firm through a key acquisition, and he has built a team of professionals renowned for their expertise and dedication to transforming patient care through innovative therapies.
“As the pharmaceutical landscape shifts, with more companies focusing on rare and often neglected diseases, there’s an increasing need for comprehensive support to secure their commercial success,” said McDonnell. “Our primary objective over the next five years is to fill this gap by providing expert consulting and agency services tailored specifically to these companies.”
As a leader, McDonnell said he relies on his ability to ask the right questions and to embrace failure. “My greatest professional growth is due to learning from my mistakes,” he said. “I believe that successful leaders today must possess a combination of attributes that enable them to navigate the increasing complexities of the industry while driving innovation and positive change; some specific attributes that are critical include adaptability, team building and resilience.”
