From nursing to biotech leadership
Meg’s career began in Australia as a registered nurse specializing in Intensive and Coronary Care. Her passion for advancing patient care led her into clinical research, where she gained experience across academia, the pharmaceutical industry and contract research organizations. She also served eight years in the Royal Australian Navy Reserve, further honing her leadership and operational skills.

Her work eventually expanded across the Asia Pacific region before she made the move to the United States. Since joining IQVIA in 2008, she has taken on key leadership roles in clinical operations and project management. By 2017, she was leading global oncology research, and in 2021, she became Chief Operating Officer of IQVIA Biotech. Today, as President, she continues to drive innovation and growth in biotech clinical development.

Putting patients at the center of clinical research
Meg is responsible for setting the strategic direction of IQVIA Biotech on a global scale. She oversees clinical teams, investigator site services, data services and therapeutic divisions, ensuring the successful execution of biotech clinical trials. She is particularly passionate about patient-centricity in clinical research, advocating for flexible trial designs that integrate telehealth, home visits and digital tools to enhance patient accessibility and engagement.

Reflecting on her career, Meg considers one of her proudest accomplishments to be bringing life-changing drugs to market. The challenges of clinical development, regulatory approvals and market access are immense, but she finds reward in working alongside talented professionals and visionary biotech sponsors to make groundbreaking treatments a reality for patients in need.

Leading in a changing industry
Meg understands the shifting landscape of clinical research and drug development, where rising costs—driven by inflation and the increasing expense of bringing new medicines to market—pose many challenges. At the same time, she sees potential in emerging technologies. Artificial intelligence and big data are transforming the industry, enabling faster data analysis, more accurate outcome predictions and personalized treatment approaches.

Looking ahead, she envisions a future where personalized medicine, genomics and biotechnology work together to deliver targeted treatments to each patient. She anticipates the industry will move beyond traditional pharmaceuticals toward a more integrated model—one that leverages digital health tools, AI-powered diagnostics and cutting-edge medical devices. Just as importantly, she believes innovation must go hand in hand with accessibility, ensuring that life-saving treatments reach underserved communities, rare disease patients and those facing financial or geographic barriers to care.

Life outside the office
Outside of her professional life, Meg has been practicing yoga for more than 15 years, appreciating both its physical benefits and the sense of balance it brings. She also has a deep love for travel, preferring destinations that take her off the beaten path. Whether hiking through historical sites or cycling in national parks, she enjoys immersing herself in new places and cultures.

Advice for the next generation
For those just starting out in the pharmaceutical industry, Meg emphasizes the importance of curiosity, continuous learning and active networking. She believes that a strong knowledge base, adaptability and a collaborative mindset are key to success in an industry that is both challenging and deeply rewarding.

Want to connect with Meg? Find her on LinkedIn.

Learn more about Meg Hooton’s inspiring journey