Ingrid Deuzeman heads up Global Marketing for Companion Animal Biologicals at our Gold Industry Partner, MSD Animal Health
Could you introduce yourself to WSAVA members?
I’m based in New Jersey, USA, and proud to be leading the global marketing of companion animal biologicals at MSD Animal Health. I’ve been with the company for nearly two decades but have a longer history in animal health, as both my father and great grandfather were veterinarians and practice owners in Canada and Denmark respectively.
Ingrid Deuzeman
Could you briefly summarize your career?
I studied Life Sciences and for a Master of Business Administration in Canada and France. After starting my career in human pharmaceuticals, I shifted to animal health and have worked in Canada, the US, and globally for MSD Animal Health. Since 2015, I have had global oversight of our vaccine portfolio, working with and supporting our local teams and customers across six continents.
What does your role leading the MSD Animal Health companion animal biologicals franchise involve?
As the Global Marketing lead, I am responsible for setting the strategic direction for the companion animal biologicals franchise worldwide. My team and I develop brand strategy and marketing campaigns to meet customer and local market needs – for the existing portfolio and for new vaccines to be launched. We are also very involved in the future pipeline – aiming to address emerging disease threats, global shifts and trends and the evolving needs of veterinarians, pet owners and pets.
horizontal
To support the franchise and advance the science in this category, Global Marketing works closely with many internal and external partners ranging from R&D and manufacturing to veterinarians and outside industry partners, such as WSAVA.
Your interest in vaccines started early! Could you explain why?
Yes, I’ve always had a passion for vaccines. At the age of three, I was gifted a book entitled ‘The Value of Believing in Yourself – The Story of Louis Pasteur’. I used to recite the story to anyone who would listen! Now decades later that interest continues as part of an industry and team focused on advancing the science of vaccination.
You are passionate about rabies elimination and volunteered with Mission Rabies in Ghana in 2020. Tell us about that.
We have such an opportunity to save lives – of people and animals across the globe – by eliminating this deadly, yet vaccine-preventable disease. Just prior to the pandemic in February 2020, I spent two weeks in the Bosomtwe region of Ghana as a volunteer on a Mission Rabies vaccination campaign. Along with other volunteers, local veterinarians, community health officers and Mission Rabies members, we worked in small teams at new locations each day. We worked at both static point locations and walked door-to-door, with the goal of achieving a vaccination rate of greater than 70% of dogs in all the geographies which we covered. It was an intense but also very rewarding experience.
What have you found most rewarding from your career in the pharmaceutical industry with MSD Animal Health?
It’s difficult to choose what has been most rewarding. I would say that my current role is where my heart is – I have a passion for disease prevention and vaccination and am proud to have launched three unique new vaccines within this past year to improve health for pets. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has really highlighted how important vaccines are to health and wellbeing, and I am energized by working in an industry and space where our actions can make a positive difference in lives across the globe.
MSD Animal Health is a long-term partner of the WSAVA. Why is the relationship important to you and how would you like it to develop?
The relationship is important because I believe in the immense value that WSAVA brings to the veterinary community through its expertise, leadership and programs. We have proudly supported the VGG, CE and One Health Committee efforts, collectively focused on having a positive impact on health, and representing voices and needs from across the globe. This partnership is an important way to advance knowledge and expand access to relevant, timely, high-quality information. As these needs continue to evolve, I see this partnership developing to continue to focus on new and important health and One Health challenges in our industry.
full
default
full
What do you do outside of work to relax? Any interesting hobbies or leisure pursuits?
I have a lot of interests when I do have free time. During the pandemic, I’ve been focusing more on art, design, and on decorating our home, as well as enjoying hiking around my local community. As we get out of the pandemic, I’m excited to get back to my first love which is travel – experiencing food, culture, art, history, and nature in international destinations. It’s a passion that ties together with my interest in people and pets across the globe and which I look forward to getting back to!