Medicines Australia announces new Board Directors

1 May 2026: Medicines Australia has welcomed four new Directors to its Board after an election process held during April.  

Dr. Manny Simons (Lilly), Ms. Chifumi Umeda (MSD), Mr. Andrew Thomas (GSK) and Ms. Selina Clifford (UCB), have been elected to join the Medicines Australia Board. 

The outgoing directors include Tori Brown (Lilly), Gabi Mittas (Amgen), Anne Harris (Pfizer) and Nirelle Tolstoshev (Astellas). 

Chair and Director of Medicines Australia, Sue MacLeman, warmly welcomes the newly elected Directors. 

“On behalf of the Board and the Medicines Australia membership, I congratulate the newly appointed Directors,” Ms MacLeman said.

“This new Board brings together leaders from across the innovative medicines sector at a time when collaboration and unity have never been more important. With major workflows underway the Board’s role is to provide clear strategic direction and steady leadership. We must all work together to ensure Australians can continue to benefit from new, innovative medicines.” 

There will be opportunity to celebrate and present the new Directors formally to members in May at the MA Federal Budget Member Briefing.

Liz de Somer, Chief Executive Officer of Medicines Australia, said: “I am looking forward to working closely with the new Medicines Australia Board and all of our members, as we continue to strive for Australians to have access to the best available medicines when they need them through a stronger PBS that is faster, fairer and fit for the future.” 

“We sincerely thank the outgoing Directors for their leadership, and for bringing valuable experience and insight to the Board. We are very grateful for their service and contributions,” said Ms MacLeman.