Headshot of Tonya Villafana, Vice President, Global Franchise Head, Infection

Combining my academic training in immunology and public health experience, I am responsible for leading cross-functional global product development teams for vaccines and monoclonal antibodies. This includes, but is not limited to, AZD1222 (ChAdOx1-S vaccine for SARS-CoV-2) and MEDI8897 (nirsevimab for respiratory syncytial virus).

As the Global Franchise Lead for Infectious Diseases and a Global Product Lead, I work within BioPharmaceuticals R&D to explore potential new vaccines and drugs to prevent or to treat infectious diseases in the most vulnerable populations globally. I collaborate closely with a number of important external stakeholders at a global level, including public health organisations, regulatory authorities, and government representatives and healthcare policymakers on key development milestones from early development to launch of product.

During my career, I have served on several scientific committees and advisory boards including the Malaria Clinical Trials Alliance, International Society for Vaccines and the NIH Integrated Preclinical/Clinical AIDS Vaccine Development Program. I have worked closely on global health initiatives with the World Bank, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, PAHO, WHO, IFPMA, and the UK Development Agency for International Development. I have been fortunate to work in countries around the world, both in high income and low income settings which enables me to have significant perspective on how best to address the needs of different populations.

I received a PhD in immunology from Weill Cornell University Graduate School of Medical Sciences and an MPH from Harvard School of Public Health.

Overcoming the challenges posed by infectious diseases takes advanced science combined with a deeply community centric approach. AstraZeneca’s values are strongly aligned to this and that is how we can make such an incredible impact across the world.

Tonya Villafana Vice President, Global Franchise Head, Infection

Award

Featured Speaker, Women and Science Program, Wistar Institute, 2017

Award

International Award, HVTN Site Director of the Year, HIV Vaccine Trials Network, 2004

Award

Fellowship, Fourth Advanced Vaccinology Course, Fondation Merieux, Veyrier du Lac, France, 2003

Award

Jack and Susan Rudin Scholar, Weill Cornell University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, New York, NY 1992-1998

CURRENT ROLE

Vice President, Global Franchise Head, Infection

IFPMA World Bank Fellow and secondment from AstraZeneca

Seconded to the World Bank to support Pharmaceutical Policy Initiatives and the Global Medicines Regulatory Harmonization Initiative for strengthening regulatory systems in Africa (2011-2013)

Director, Malaria Vaccines Initiative, PATH

Director, Portfolio Management, PATH MVI oversight of MVIs vaccine portfolio and member of the RTS,S Team (2006-2009)

Director, Botswana Harvard Partnership for HIV Research and Education (Harvard School of Public Health)

Established clinical sites in collaboration with the US NIH HIV Vaccine Trials Network to conduct the first HIV vaccine studies in Botswana (2001-2006)

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