WE Bolsters Health Offering With Scientific Engagement
Addition of Arun Divikaruni, Ph.D., to Lead Growing Capability Further Delivers on WE's Expertise in Communicating at the Intersection of Health and Technology
SEATTLE – Feb. 22, 2024 — WE Communications (WE), a leading global communications agency, today announced the appointment of Arun Divakaruni, Ph.D., as head of North America Scientific Engagement, a critical client service that drives understanding and behavior change through the interpretation of science.
“As the healthcare and pharma industries continue to undergo rapid tech-fueled transformation, building audience understanding of complex scientific concepts is more important than ever,” said Stephanie Marchesi, president of WE Global Health. “Arun’s successful track record of building strong scientific communications teams and highly relevant client offerings will be invaluable as we expand our Scientific Engagement footprint.”
Bringing 15+ years of industry and award-winning experience, Divakaruni joins WE most recently from AVANT Healthcare, where he served as the chief science and executive officer. Under his leadership he drove record growth and oversaw Avant’s expansion in promotional medical education, medical affairs and specialty advertising. Before Avant he spent 12 years at Weber Shandwick, where he was EVP of its global scientific communications team, Element Scientific Communications. Holding a Ph.D. in biochemistry and molecular biology from UCLA, Divakaruni’s expertise lies in the complex interplay of high science, effective communications and business solutions. He has managed scientific communications for more than 45 FDA approvals and indication extensions and drove understanding of next-generation platform technologies, such as gene therapies, mRNA therapeutics and cancer immunotherapies.
“Rapid scientific progress, particularly in oncology, immunology and platform technologies, is forcing a tremendous shift in communications needs and expectations,” said Divakaruni. “I am thrilled to join the team at WE, which is steeped in next-generation healthcare communications, to help established and emerging companies navigate this constantly shifting landscape.”
Under his new purview, Divakaruni will be responsible for expanding the Scientific Engagement service in North America for existing and new clients alike. He will partner closely with Ben Fisher, who leads Health and Scientific Engagement out of the U.K. Together they will build and grow WE’s capability in their respective geographies and support the needs of other global health clients around the world.
The service offers scientific strategy and narrative development, digital engagement and partnerships with the medical community on behalf of WE Global Health clients, which include 15 of the leading 25 bio/pharma companies.
Divakaruni, based in Chicago, joined WE on Feb. 20, and reports into Marchesi.
ABOUT WE
WE is one of the largest independent communications agencies in the world. We’re all about people — both our clients and employees — and we believe in the power of communications to move audiences to positive action. Women-founded, women-led, and fiercely independent, WE has spent more than four decades helping world-class brands tell technology-led transformation stories that shift perceptions and change behavior.
Our global reach includes a presence in more than 24 cities, partner networks that expand our footprint and client capabilities, and a team of more than 1,400 media and content strategists, creatives and data scientists across our technology, health and consumer sectors. Our work with global brands like Microsoft, Intel, McDonald’s and Volvo has been recognized by Cannes Lions, PRovoke Media SABRE Awards and PRWeek Awards, just to name a few.
For more information, press only: Kara Kraft, WE, (503) 443-7143, [email protected]
