Jacqueline Iversen challenges traditional pharmaceutical norms with innovative solutions
Jacqueline Iversen, Co-Founder of Sen-Jam Pharmaceutical, revolutionises pain management with innovative, low-cost therapeutics, driven by personal experiences and a commitment to proactive healthcare solutions for underserved populations.
Jacqueline Iversen stands as a beacon of innovation in the realm of pain management and wellness. As the Co-Founder and Chief Clinical Officer of Sen-Jam Pharmaceutical, she has dedicated her career to challenging the conventional norms of the pharmaceutical industry. With a robust background in pharmacokinetics and pain management, coupled with a steadfast commitment to enhancing patient outcomes, Jacqueline has emerged as a visionary leader in her field. Her impressive portfolio includes over two decades of scientific contributions and more than 20 published papers, underscoring her role as a leader in clinical research and a fervent advocate for proactive healthcare solutions.
Jacqueline’s journey into the world of pharmaceuticals began during her research fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering. It was here that she identified a critical need to shift from reactive to proactive pain management strategies. Her experience as a hospital pharmacist, combined with her deep understanding of patient challenges, inspired her to co-found Sen-Jam Pharmaceutical with her husband, Jim, an expert in logistics and efficiency. Together, they have pioneered a unique approach to drug development, focusing on low-cost, repurposed therapeutics aimed at reducing healthcare costs and expanding access to underserved populations.
In an exclusive interview with Entrepreneur Prime Magazine, Jacqueline shared the inspiration behind Sen-Jam Pharmaceutical, driven by personal experiences that fuel her determination to address inflammation, pain, and addiction. She emphasised the innovative strategies her company employs to navigate the complexities of the pharmaceutical industry and offered valuable advice for aspiring pharmacists and entrepreneurs. Jacqueline highlighted the importance of creativity, perseverance, and data-driven decision-making in driving meaningful change.
“I founded Sen-Jam Pharmaceutical because I had a vision around improving our current standard of pain management.”
The idea for Sen-Jam Pharmaceutical was born from Jacqueline’s vision to improve the current standard of pain management. Her fascination with the medical community’s reactive approach to pain treatment during her fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering sparked a desire to challenge the status quo. As a hospital pharmacist, she witnessed countless patients struggling with ailments despite the availability of numerous medications. This experience fuelled her passion for evidence-based ideas that could improve patient outcomes. Her husband Jim’s expertise in logistics and efficiency provided a competitive edge, allowing them to rethink industry paradigms and develop innovative products for patients in need.
Jacqueline’s determination to create solutions for inflammation, pain, and addiction is deeply rooted in her personal experiences. As a pharmacist and a compassionate human being, she has witnessed the devastation caused by unethical pharmaceutical practices and addictive drugs. This fueled her sense of duty to use her knowledge to make a difference. She realized that alternative pharmaceutical products could have mitigated the widespread opioid addiction crisis. Her research focused on developing non-opioid agents that reduce the harmful effects of opioids, leading to new treatments for inflammation and immune system modulation.
Developing low-cost therapeutics for underserved populations presents its own set of challenges. Jacqueline noted that while many companies focus on repurposed drugs, the larger investors are drawn to “designer drugs” with high risk-to-reward ratios. This investment model prolongs drug development timelines, both for pharmaceutical companies and patients. Sen-Jam Pharmaceutical seizes the opportunity to rapidly develop innovative products at low cost, challenging larger pharmaceutical companies by targeting unique mechanisms of action with known, safe drugs. Their nimble approach leverages new technologies, such as artificial intelligence and digital clinical trials, to bring superior solutions to patients quickly.
Looking to the future, Jacqueline envisions Sen-Jam Pharmaceutical making a significant impact on global health by extending healthy aging through immune system modulation. The immune system, now being mapped and understood, plays a crucial role in lifelong health. Sen-Jam’s mission is to support the immune system by monitoring its role in health and disease and treating inflammation proactively. By targeting inflammation with broad-spectrum anti-inflammatories, Sen-Jam aims to change the course of inflammation for more than half the world’s population, addressing various forms of inflammation and protecting the immune system.
For aspiring pharmacists and entrepreneurs, Jacqueline offers sage advice: embrace creativity and new ideas, and don’t be afraid to challenge entrenched problems. She believes that passion should be the driving force, and encourages individuals to trust their instincts and follow data fiercely. The pharmaceutical industry needs creative problem solvers, and Jacqueline urges aspiring professionals to explore what’s possible, face adversity with conviction, and always strive to make a difference.
Sen-Jam Pharmaceutical’s recent partnership with KVK-Tech exemplifies their commitment to innovation. This collaboration accelerates drug development activities, enabling the production of high-quality products efficiently. Their joint efforts include developing the first mast cell modulating injectable for hospital use, offering a much-needed tool for physicians to transform patient care.
Jacqueline Iversen’s journey is a testament to the power of vision, innovation, and determination in reshaping the future of pain management and global health. Her work at Sen-Jam Pharmaceutical continues to inspire and pave the way for a healthier, more proactive approach to healthcare.
Source: Entrepreneur Prime magazine
