Dr. Thorsten Ruppert is senior manager for research, development and innovation within the Association of Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies – vfa. In 1999 he received a doctorate in biochemistry at the Free University in Berlin. Also in 1999 he joined NOXXON Pharma AG as a scientist in the Department of Research & Development. From there he moved internally in the clinical research department and in 2002 he became Director of Scientific Marketing, Division of Business Development. In 2005 he joined the vfa, where in his actual role as Senior Manager Research, Development & Innovation he is responsible for clinical trials, personalized medicine and biobanking.