Tjeerd Korver

In 1991 I started working in clinical drug development at Organon, just after having completed my PhD studies in rheumatology. During my Organon/Merck years, I have gained a broad expertise in the field of contraception, with an extensive network of leading scientific and clinical experts worldwide. I have been leading global Phase I-IV clinical development projects of contraceptive products, including – but not limited to – Zoely® (nomegestrol acetate/17β-estradiol oral contraceptive), NuvaRing® (etonogestrel/ethinylestradiol vaginal ring), Implanon® (etonogestrel implant), Cerazette® (desogestrel-only pill) and Multiload® IUD.

After the closure of Organon’s R&D, I continued my career as an independent consultant and extended my area of expertise well beyond women’s health, having contributed to development plans, protocols and/or clinical evaluations of therapies aimed to treat rheumatoid arthritis, fracture healing, glaucoma, alopecia, post-operative pain, schizophrenia, Huntington disease, SLE, multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease, hypercholesterolaemia, various inflammatory and/or oncologic conditions, as well as orphan drug products for treatment of mitochondrial diseases and Rett syndrome. On a regular basis, I lecture at Amsterdam Free University, Utrecht University, Hogeschool Utrecht and Netherlands Centre for Postacademic Education in Pharmacy on the industry- and regulatory authority perspectives of drug development, addressing historical, ethical, methodological, scientific, managerial, logistic, regulatory and financial aspects. I co-designed and participated in several real-life simulation courses in drug development and marketing for professionals in healthcare and the pharmaceutical industry, or students in pharmaceutics and medicine. I have authored over 50 peer-reviewed papers and have contributed to handbooks on drug development, drug interactions, contraceptive technology and contra-indications to steroid contraceptives.

As a consultant, I have worked with the Starodub team since 2014 and I am pleased to be bound to this knowledgeable, enthusiastic and flexible team.