Behind every medicine is a story—a story of people who make it possible. In the series Where Craft Meets, Daiichi Sankyo explores and celebrates the people behind our medicines and shares how our unique crafts contribute to our collective mission to help patients.
From the frontlines of Ground Zero in New York City following the tragic events of September 11th to his current role as Executive Director, U.S. Medical Affairs, HEOR, John Ruggiero reflects on the experiences that led him to the pharmaceutical industry, how his craft shapes his work, and the culture that continues to inspire him at Daiichi Sankyo.
Jumping Into Action
I had no idea what to expect when I was deployed to Ground Zero. At the time, I was managing nurses and interns at a hospital that was sent to New York City immediately following the attacks of September 11th. I was assigned to one of the large tents where families stood holding photos of missing loved ones, searching desperately for answers.
In moments like that, you do not hesitate, you jump into action. You do everything you can to help reconnect families, despite knowing that far too many searches would end in heartbreak.
Returning to the hospital setting was tough after that. I wanted to continue making a more direct impact on patients and families. In the aftermath of 9/11, the hospital placed a greater emphasis on professional development and continuing medical education, ultimately leading me to the pharmaceutical industry and a renewed sense of purpose.
At Daiichi Sankyo we are striving to achieve something that is meaningful and matters most to the patient – to create life-changing solutions that can truly make a difference. That mindset of stepping forward and taking action is deeply embedded in the culture of this organization.
John works to empower HCPs and patients to better understand our medicines and their options.
My Craft: Empowerment and Positioning
A cancer diagnosis begins a long and often uncertain journey, much like the journey of developing a medicine itself. For my team, receiving FDA approval is not the end of the process, it is another step forward for patients and the beginning of our next phase of work.
We continue studying our medicines to better understand how they perform in real-world settings and how we can help more patients in need. Our focus extends beyond expanding access to innovative treatments. We work to understand the full patient experience, from side effects and quality of life to the overall cost of care throughout a patient’s journey.
By evaluating these insights alongside other available treatment options, we aim to empower healthcare providers and patients with meaningful information, positioning them to make the best possible decisions for their individual cancer journey.
If we can help patients, caregivers, and clinicians better understand how our medicines may support a patient’s goals and quality of life, then we are achieving something demonstratively important.
John alongside his team and colleagues.
Finding A Sense of Fulfillment
The attacks of September 11th were devastating beyond words, but even in the midst of unimaginable chaos, there was hope. Watching people come together to support, comfort, and lift one another up was incredibly powerful. In many ways, the culture at Daiichi Sankyo reminds me of that same spirit.
Cancer is a devastating disease, and the research and development journey can often be challenging and discouraging. Yet what stands out most to me is the way people within this organization rally around one another, encouraging each other through every setback and every milestone, all driven by a shared purpose of bringing life-changing solutions to patients.
To witness that, to be part of it, and to experience it firsthand is truly remarkable. That spirit of resilience and support is what makes this organization so special to me.
That is what I see every day at Daiichi Sankyo: people united by compassion, resilience, and a commitment to helping patients with cancer. It is a true testament to the extraordinary individuals I have the privilege to work alongside.
Watch John Ruggiero in “Where Craft Meets”
When Patient-Centered Care Becomes Personal
After years of supporting family members through cancer — and building a career in oncology — John Ruggiero suddenly found himself on the other side of a diagnosis. That lived experience reshaped how he approaches his work at Daiichi Sankyo, reinforcing the belief that patient-centered decisions must be guided by empathy, empowerment, and human connection. Through storytelling and leadership, John keeps people impacted by cancer at the center of every decision — because behind every medicine is someone's parent, child, sibling, or friend.
Heading Example
I had no idea what to expect when I was deployed to Ground Zero. In moments like that, you do not hesitate, you jump into action. You do everything you can to help reconnect families.
Working at Daiichi Sankyo, cancer was part of my everyday life. But this was different. This was my dad, and it was a diagnosis I knew would not end with the ringing of a bell…
The role of Medical Affairs is to bridge the gap between scientific research and real-world medical practice. After 17 years, I’ve seen firsthand ...