Nordic Life Science 1
“THE PANDEMIC HAS CREATED A NEW SENSE OF OPENNESS
AND TRUST TO SHARE EARLY DATA AND NOVEL IDEAS. WE’VE OPENED DOORS FOR ONE ANOTHER, AND I BELIEVE THE WAY WE ARE WORKING NOW WILL CARRY FORWARD INTO OUR FUTURE.” e admits that maintaining a work-life balance requires more work on his part though. “The biggest challenge in this increasingly digital around-the clock world is to disconnect from the constant information flow,” he says. “Make sure to separate work and life on your calendar. If your work also is your passion, which is often a hallmark for highly successful outcomes, force yourself to turn off the information flow, stay away from your digital devices and try to enjoy quiet or active private time.” Numerous people have impacted Mikael positively during his career, foremost among them is his wife, Catarina. “I also recall the brilliance of outstanding academic scientists, such as the late George Klein and my original Ph.D. supervisor Hans-Olov Sjögren, as well as my friend and collaborator Francis Collins at the National Institute of Health. Also, bright sciencedriven industry leaders in Sweden, the United Kingdom, Germany and the U.S. and close friends that each provided the inspiration that made me continue in my search for new scientific challenges,” he adds. With Pfizer’s team and researchers worldwide confronting one of the greatest scientific challenges in history, Mikael Dolsten is hopeful that the collaboration born out of desperation will not end when a COVID-19 cure and vaccine are found. “Our industry peers, the other pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, have come together like never before,” he notes. “We’re acutely aware that we are all on the same side, and COVID-19 and other diseases are the enemies. The pandemic has created a new sense of openness and trust to share early data and novel ideas. We’ve opened doors for one another, and I believe the way we are working now will carry forward into our future.” NLS 50 NORDICLIFESCIENCE.ORG