Posted on May 01, 2023 by Aldevron

Why Our Work Matters at Aldevron

Regardless of whether our associates are operating bioreactors, developing software, analyzing markets or fulfilling the multitude of other technical jobs we do here, what really drives them is improving the lives of patients.

Whenever someone asks me what I do in my role as Aldevron’s manager of advocacy and community engagement, I say I’m an in-house storyteller. For me, stories have the power to move people to action, to bring forth insights and emotions – and, here at Aldevron, to humanize our day-to-day work and remind us why our work matters. Regardless of whether our associates are operating bioreactors, developing software, analyzing markets or fulfilling the multitude of other technical jobs we do here, what really drives them is improving the lives of patients.

I don’t know of many other companies in our corner of biotech that have a full-time advocacy-focused associate, but I understand why Aldevron prioritizes this role: It helps everyone here to understand what advancing every day means to patients who often live with few or no treatment options. And in so doing, it makes Aldevron a better strategic partner to our clients, because we understand the potential impact of the innovations we make together, and we put that insight to work every day.

Some of the storytelling I do is personal. My daughter, Taylor, suffered from a rare disease called CLN1, a form of Batten disease, and passed away at age 20. I know firsthand the challenge of raising a child with a life-limiting illness, and I understand the desire so many families have to see meaningful treatment options for rare diseases reach the market. I live with emotional scars from that experience, but now I’m using those scars for good through my continued advocacy on behalf of the Batten disease community and through my work at Aldevron.

I tell Taylor’s story to all new associates during their orientation. Bringing innovative treatments to patients to improve their lives has a ripple effect. We’ve heard about this positive impact so many times from patients and families, and patient advocates. We also invite our clients to talk about the communities they serve through the therapies they are developing. One client was so excited about our advocacy focus that the client’s team presented to our associates on three separate occasions. It was a terrific example of the value of purpose-driven partnership.

Earlier this year, some of my colleagues across multiple Aldevron sites designed and initiated a month-long educational series leading up to Rare Disease Day on February 28. Inspired by patient stories, they organized events recognizing the challenges that rare disease patients and caregivers face. They facilitated participation in Light Up for Rare, an international effort lighting up buildings and other iconic structures in recognition of those living with rare diseases. I was in Washington, D.C., on February 28 to join a panel discussion at the NIH Rare Disease Day event. There was a blizzard in Fargo that day, and I wondered if anyone from Aldevron would be able to show up at Fargo’s City Hall lit up in blue, green, pink and purple for Rare Disease Day. Later that evening, photos began to pop up on my phone. There they were – a large group of Aldevron associates wearing heavy coats and great big smiles, holding up light sticks in the colors of Rare Disease Day in front of City Hall. I was not surprised.

In future posts, my colleagues will describe how we use a philosophy of continuous improvement to enhance our client services. There’s no doubt that in that work, advocacy matters. It enhances our work with our clients on behalf of patients and it drives awareness for the rare disease community. That’s the message I communicate every day at Aldevron. And my colleagues get it.

Sharon King
Manager Advocacy & Community Engagement