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Dr. Björn Albrecht

Senior PartnerParis

Heads the McKinsey Cancer Center, Leads our Life Sciences Practice in France and leads our work on cancer globally, working with biotech and pharmaceutical companies, health systems, payors and providers

Björn is a senior partner in our Paris office. He works with pharmaceutical and biotech companies, health systems, payors and providers on cancer-related topics. He leads the McKinsey Cancer Center globally and is also a leader in our Life Sciences Practice in France. With a PhD and post-doctoral training in molecular oncology, he is a respected peer of both senior executives and research scientists.

Björn’s work covers the whole value chain from early discovery strategies through clinical development to commercialization and reimbursement for cancer medicines. In addition, he supports health systems leaders and manufacturers in defining “adequate outcome” approaches to cancer treatment and developing innovative collaborations to serve patients’ needs.

Recent examples of his work include:

  • Leading an 18-month programme involving multiple health systems globally to improve care and outcomes in colorectal cancer
  • Helping a client to design the clinical trials for its oncology therapy
  • Supporting a number of biotech and pharmaceutical companies in developing go-to-market strategies
  • Advising on local, regional and global launch readiness programmes for primary care and specialty care drugs
  • Working with a number of pharmaceutical companies to achieve a comprehensive transformation of their R&D function

Outside his client work, Björn leads McKinsey's Cancer Congress Series of satellite meetings at major global professional conferences such as the American Society for Clinical Oncology.

Before joining the London office, Björn worked in our Berlin and New Jersey offices. He continues to serve clients in Europe, the United States, Japan and throughout the world.

Published work

Top ten observations from 2022 in life sciences digital and analytics,” McKinsey & Company, January 2023

Precision medicine in practice: Strategies for rare cancers,” McKinsey & Company, May 2021

Delivering innovation: 2020 oncology market outlook,” McKinsey & Company, September 2020

Playing to win in oncology: Key capabilities for success,” McKinsey & Company, March 2020

Launches in oncology: The elements of success,” McKinsey & Company, August 2018

Pursuing breakthroughs in cancer-drug development,” McKinsey & Company, January 2018

The next wave of innovation in oncology,” McKinsey & Company, September 2016

How health systems can improve value in cancer care,” Health International, 2012 Number 12, McKinsey & Company (PDF–1.08 MB)

Education

Ohio State University
PhD, molecular, cellular and developmental biology

University of Hamburg
BS, biochemistry and molecular biology