Discover Germany | Special Theme | Austria’s Leading Businesswomen Dr. Elisabeth Lackner, GBA Pharma Division managing director.
Pharmaceutical Services – Clinical Trial Supply Services.
Pharmaceutical Services – Labelling and Packaging.
On intrinsic powers and team spirit Dr. Elisabeth Lackner is the General Manager of GBA Pharma, of the German GBA Laboratory Group, and describes herself as “a child of the pharmacy industry”.
the sites of GBA Pharma Group including Pharmacelsus, ABF, as well as the GBA Pharma laboratories.
TEXT: CORNELIA BRELOWSKI I PHOTOS: E. LACKNER
Having worked in different fields of clinical research for CROs (Clinical Research Organizations), pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies for more than 15 years in senior management and marketing roles, she brings the perfect perspective to the pharmaceutical supply chain and uses her wealth of experience and know-how to motivate and foster young teams towards success. Initially supported by her parents, Elisabeth Lackner’s interest in pharmacology and biotechnology began early in life. She graduated in pharmacy and holds a PhD in tumour biology. Both her studies and work life took place on the international stage until she moved back to Austria, where she joined ABF Pharmaceutical Services as counsellor in 2005. Under her 72 | Issue 58 | January 2018
subsequent tutelage as managing director and co-owner from 2010 to 2016, the Austrian pharmaceutical service provider grew to six times its size over a span of six years and is now part of the GBA Group, the biggest laboratory services provider in Europe. “For a leading position with one of the biggest players on the European market you need an extreme amount of knowhow,” she states. “The industry is bound to strict regulations, which means that developing a product for the pharmaceutical market can take between ten to 15 years.” This fact is the reason why aspects of drug development processes are being outsourced – which is where a service giant like GBA steps in. In her recently acquired role as CEO, Dr. Lackner manages
Asked about what motivates her most, Dr. Lackner reveals that, apart from a successful career path, she highly enjoys nourishing emerging talent: “Building and supporting teams has worked beautifully over the past few years and in the end is the major aspect leading to growth, for any enterprise.” But how exactly does a breathtakingly successful career like hers come to pass, while she is in parallel raising two kids? “The power is intrinsic,” she says. “Obviously, there is some support through the family, but in the end, the necessary strength has to come from within. And it is possible, as a woman in Austria, to do this. That is the message I’d like to get across.” www.gba-group.de www.abf-pharma.com/management