Empowering Future Pharmacists and Entrepreneurs – Jacqueline Iversen’s Vision for Innovative Pain Management
A Visionary in Pain Management and Wellness
In the realm of pain management and wellness innovation, Jacqueline Iversen stands out as a pioneering force. As the Co-Founder and Chief Clinical Officer of Sen-Jam Pharmaceutical, Iversen has dedicated her career to challenging the traditional paradigms of the pharmaceutical industry. With a robust background in pharmacokinetics and pain management, coupled with a steadfast commitment to enhancing patient outcomes, she has emerged as a visionary leader in the field. Over her two-decade-long career, Iversen has contributed significantly to scientific research, authoring more than 20 published papers. Her work not only positions her as a leader in clinical research but also as a fervent advocate for proactive and preventive healthcare solutions.
Iversen’s journey began during her research fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering, where she identified the need for a 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 developed 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, Iversen shares insights into the inspiration behind Sen-Jam Pharmaceutical, the personal experiences that drive her determination to address inflammation, pain, and addiction, and the innovative strategies her company employs to navigate the complexities of the pharmaceutical industry. She also offers valuable advice for aspiring pharmacists and entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of creativity, perseverance, and data-driven decision-making in driving meaningful change.
The Genesis of Sen-Jam Pharmaceutical
When asked about the inception of Sen-Jam Pharmaceutical, Iversen explains, “I founded Sen-Jam Pharmaceutical because I had a vision of improving our current standard of pain management, which stemmed from my research fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York City. It was during that time, decades ago, that I first became fascinated by how the medical community treated pain well after the fact or reactively instead of considering means of preventing or mitigating it proactively.”
Iversen’s passion for science and her desire to improve patient outcomes with evidence-based ideas that challenge the status quo were key motivators. Her husband, Jim, brought a sharp solutions-oriented approach to the traditionally old-school pharmaceutical industry, providing a competitive advantage. Together, they believed that rethinking the industry paradigm would result in innovative products reaching patients in need.
Personal Experiences Fueling Determination
Iversen’s determination to create solutions for inflammation, pain, and addiction is deeply rooted in her personal experiences. “As a pharmacist, but more so, as a human, seeing the devastation and suffering brought onto individuals and their families, plaguing our society and the world by unethical pharmaceutical business practices, utilizing addictive drugs, makes me so angry, that I have felt a personal duty to use my knowledge to help out where I can,” she shares.
She realized that alternative pharmaceutical products developed before Oxycontin could have reduced the risk and devastation of widespread opioid addiction. Her research began with treating pain using a non-opioid agent that also reduces the harmful effects of opioids. Along the way, she discovered new treatments to reduce inflammation and safely modulate the immune system, which is intimately tied to pain and addiction.
Overcoming Challenges in Developing Low-Cost Therapeutics
Developing low-cost therapeutics for underserved populations presents its own set of challenges. Iversen notes that while many drugs approved by the FDA each year are repurposed, low-cost therapeutics, the space is crowded. Larger investors often focus on “designer drugs,” which makes the development process longer and more costly.
Sen-Jam Pharmaceutical sees an opportunity to rapidly and cost-effectively develop innovative products that challenge larger pharmaceutical companies by targeting the same unique mechanisms of action with already available, known-to-be-safe drugs. “Being nimble is our secret sauce,” Iversen explains, as they leverage new technology, such as artificial intelligence and digital clinical trials, to bring new and superior solutions to patients as quickly as possible.
Envisioning the Future Impact on Global Health
Sen-Jam Pharmaceutical is on a mission to extend healthy aging by safely modulating the immune system. Iversen explains that the immune system is now being understood and mapped as a vast web of differentiated cells and mediators that influence health throughout a lifetime. Sen-Jam aims to support the immune system by monitoring and measuring its role in health and disease and treating inflammation proactively before tissue damage and disease take root.
By targeting inflammation using a broad-spectrum anti-inflammatory without damaging the immune system, Sen-Jam aims to change the course of inflammation for more than half the world. “We believe we can protect the immune system by preventing and reducing the initial cascade of inflammation that occurs, whether from our environment or from disease,” Iversen states.
Advice for Aspiring Pharmacists and Entrepreneurs
For aspiring pharmacists and entrepreneurs, Iversen offers sage advice: “I believe that history repeats itself, and all the large pharmaceutical companies were initially started by a pharmacist with an idea. Entrepreneurs are filled with new ideas infused with creativity. I believe that is where it begins, and then you start walking that path and learning how to do it your unique way.”
She encourages aspiring professionals to trust their instincts, follow the data fiercely, and not be afraid to bring a fresh mind to entrenched problems. “Expect to face adversity, especially where money is holding the power in the room, but have conviction in your beliefs (and your data!) and always do your best,” she advises.
Collaborative Partnerships for Product Development
Sen-Jam Pharmaceutical’s recent partnership with KVK-Tech, a pharmaceutical manufacturer, is a significant accelerant to their drug development activities. By collaborating closely with KVK-Tech, Sen-Jam can produce high-quality products efficiently. The partnership initially focused on an oral mast cell modulator and has expanded to include the development of the first mast cell modulating injectable for hospital use. Iversen believes this product will offer a much-needed tool for physicians to transform care in hospital settings.
Through her work at Sen-Jam Pharmaceutical, Jacqueline Iversen is not only redefining pain management but also paving the way for a more proactive and accessible approach to healthcare. Her dedication to innovation, creativity, and perseverance serves as an inspiration to future pharmacists and entrepreneurs looking to make a meaningful impact in the pharmaceutical industry.
