Top Industry Leaders Award Winner

Terrie Curran

CEO & President

Phathom Pharmaceuticals

Terrie Curran

Terrie Curran has been a transformative force in the life sciences industry, exemplifying visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to innovation for patients who have been largely overlooked by the industry. As President and CEO of Phathom Pharmaceuticals, Curran has spearheaded groundbreaking advancements in gastrointestinal (GI) healthcare, addressing unmet medical needs in a space affecting more than 65 million patients, yet had not seen major innovation in more than 30 years.

Under Terrie's leadership, Phathom has awakened the dormant category of acid-related disorders. The FDA approval of VOQUEZNA® (vonoprazan) in November 2023 and indication expansion in July 2024 marked the introduction of the first new class of treatment for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) and H. pylori infection in over 30 years, offering a novel therapeutic option for millions of patients.

VOQUEZNA is a potassium-competitive acid blocker (PCAB) that provides rapid, potent, and durable acid suppression, demonstrating superior efficacy compared to traditional proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Terrie's strategic vision led to the successful execution of the Phase 3 PHALCON-EE trial, a multinational study that enrolled over 1,000 patients across the U.S. and Europe and demonstrated superior outcomes to the current standards of care. The trial's positive outcomes were pivotal in securing regulatory approval and underscored Phathom's commitment to rigorous, bold clinical research. Beyond clinical development, Terrie has been instrumental in fostering a patient-centric culture within Phathom. She has championed initiatives to raise awareness about acid-related disorders and the importance of innovative treatments, ensuring that patients and healthcare providers are well-informed about new therapeutic options.

Terrie's leadership extends to building a dynamic and inclusive organizational culture. She has cultivated a "Phathom Phamily" ethos, emphasizing collaboration, diversity, and empowerment, leading to Phathom’s certification as a Great Place To Work.

Prior to Phathom, Terrie served as President of Celgene’s Inflammation & Immunology (I&I) franchise, where she played a key role in building the company’s presence in immunology. Under her leadership, OTEZLA (apremilast) grew into a blockbuster therapy, becoming a market-leading psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis treatment. Her work ultimately led to the divestiture of OTEZLA to Amgen for $13.4 billion, one of the largest biopharma transactions of its time.

In recognition of her contributions, Terrie has been widely acknowledged as an industry thought leader. She was named to Healthcare Technology Report's Top 100 CEOs of 2024 and was a finalist for the prestigious SCRIP Awards Executive of the Year. She is frequently recognized with industry awards, keynote speaking invitations, and executive leadership discussions, where she continues to shape the future of GI healthcare. Her insights have influenced industry practices and inspired peers to pursue excellence in pharmaceutical development, particularly in underserved fields.