Maurizio Mazzi | Senior Associate Director, Patient Advocacy & Professional Relations
Böhringer Ingelheim

Maurizio Mazzi is a dedicated and experienced Senior Associate Director in Patient Advocacy & Professional Relations at Böhringer Ingelheim. With a strong background in healthcare and a passion for making a difference in the lives of patients with rare diseases, Maurizio has been instrumental in driving patient-centric initiatives and fostering collaborations with advocacy groups and healthcare professionals.

Maurizio's expertise lies in developing strategic partnerships that aim to improve access to orphan drugs and advance patient care in the rare disease community. His commitment to advocating for patients and raising awareness about rare diseases has made him a respected figure in the pharmaceutical industry.

With a proven track record of successful engagement with key stakeholders, Maurizio brings a unique perspective to the table at the World Orphan Drug Congress USA 2026. His insights into patient advocacy, professional relations, and the challenges facing the rare disease landscape make him a valuable speaker at this prestigious event.

Maurizio Mazzi's innovative approach to patient advocacy and his dedication to driving positive change in the orphan drug space make him a standout professional in the field. Attendees can expect to gain valuable insights and inspiration from his presentation at the World Orphan Drug Congress USA 2026.

Appearances:

Day 2 - World Orphan Drug Congress USA 2026 @ 14:40

Ensuring Clinical Development Success: Engaging Patient Advocacy Groups Early and Often

In rare disease drug development, patient advocacy groups are not a “nice to have”—they are essential partners in building feasible, patient-centered, and successful clinical programs. Yet many sponsors still engage advocacy organizations too late, limiting their ability to meaningfully influence study design, recruitment, and long-term program success.

This session examines how biopharma companies can strategically engage patient advocacy groups early and consistently across the clinical development lifecycle to de-risk trials and improve outcomes. Featuring perspectives from industry leaders and patient advocates, the discussion will highlight practical approaches, real-world examples, and lessons learned from rare disease programs where advocacy engagement directly shaped trial design, enrollment strategies, and patient experience.

Objectives:

Embed patient advocacy engagement into early clinical development planning, not just late-stage execution
Identify critical points in rare disease development where advocacy input can improve trial feasibility and patient participation.
Build sustainable, compliant partnerships with advocacy groups that extend beyond a single trial
Avoid common missteps that limit the impact of patient advocacy collaboration in rare disease programs

Moderator: Maurizio Mazzi, Senior Associate Director, Patient Advocacy & Professional Relations, Böhringer Ingelheim

Salman Bhai, Vice President, Clinical Development, Secretome Therapeutics