YouSaid · the spoken record

Alex Gorsky

lines on the record

25

first

2020-10-30

most recent

2020-10-30

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1

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podcast

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

1. “Actually, had that happen one time, I had a bicycling accident where I had to get some stitches in my hand, and of course, when I went to the local hospital, I made sure that they were our sutures. And look, I've had my hip replaced. I have one of our products in my hip, and it feels great. And it was a life changer for me once I had that procedure done.”

   2020-10-30 · The David Rubenstein Show · Alex Gorsky · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source

2. “No, no, I don't worry about that. Look, I think what's important about life in so many things is balance. And I tend to follow and ask them that, look, during the week, especially given my travel schedule and the demands, is I tend to be pretty strict about what I eat and the kind of rituals I put in place. It just keeps me on pace, whether I'm here in New Brunswick or whether I'm in China or traveling in other places around the world. But hey, on the weekend, of course, I like to have a burger from time to time or that steak. And that's why I work so hard in trying to keep fit along the way. And I find by having that balance, hey, I can take care of myself, but I can also have fun.”

   2020-10-30 · The David Rubenstein Show · Alex Gorsky · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source

3. “Yes, I do, David. And look, I learned a long time ago, even during my time in the military, that one of the most important things you can do to ensure that if by chance you were wounded was to be healthy in the first place. And it's interesting because I think one of the things that we're learning about this disease, of course, is that the healthier you are, if you, in fact, should contact the disease, likely the better prepared you're going to be to be able to survive and get through it in a much better manner. And look, like many others, I've been doing my best to deal with this situation, not only working out of the house, but taking care of myself. But yes, I always put a priority on trying to take care of ourselves, stay healthy, get the kind of rest that you need, eat the right way. And I think doing all these things not only happen or help in your daily life, but certainly are going to affect in a situation like COVID-19 as well.”

   2020-10-30 · The David Rubenstein Show · Alex Gorsky · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source

4. “Well, look, David, I'm very fortunate to be the seventh CEO, Johnson. And Johnson, you're right. I think one of the great characteristics of the company is the long tenure that my predecessors have had and the continuity, the consistency, and the kind of long-range thinking that it imbued into the organization. And I'm proud to have been part of that. And look, I'm as excited today about what I'm seeing in terms of science and technology and the potential for the patients. I mean, look what we're doing with the vaccine. We couldn't have even imagined that, you know, with about 10 months ago. And so it's a constant stream of new opportunities, challenges that you're facing along the way. But look, like everybody, I would always consider ways of how could you continue to serve other stakeholders?”

   2020-10-30 · The David Rubenstein Show · Alex Gorsky · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source

5. “No, you know, I did realize, however, that getting exposure and experience with as many different aspects of our business early on in my career is important. And marketing was one place where you could interface with research and development to really understand our products, where you would engage with your finance counterparts, your supply chain people. And so it was really the kind of position that exposed you to almost all aspects of the organization. And look at that time, I aspired to perhaps be able to run one of our divisions. And from there, things took on a life of their own.”

   2020-10-30 · The David Rubenstein Show · Alex Gorsky · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source

6. “Well, you know, I started when I left the army, I started as a sales representative at Johnson& Johnson. It was part of a leadership development program. But I felt getting the skills, understanding the customers, really learning what doctors and surgeons and nurses and people who are using our products on a day-to-day basis. That was an important experience to get. And then I went into sales management later into marketing. But I also realized that, look, I had studied engineering in college. And I realized that if I was going to have the skills and business that I felt were really necessary, that, you know, going back and getting exposed in much more depth to accounting to finance, to strategy and other things was going to be important. And I was very fortunate that they supported my attendance at the executive MBA program at Wharton, where I went and completed that.”

   2020-10-30 · The David Rubenstein Show · Alex Gorsky · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source

7. “No, no, look, I graduated, and like all of my classmates, I went into the army as a lieutenant. I had an assignment in Europe for my very first role. And then I was stationed back in the United States, actually out at Fort Ord, California in the 7th Infantry Division. And I spent six years where I ended my service as a captain. I was a battery commander and a rapid deployment force unit. And that's when I made my decision to exit the Army and join Johnson and Johnson.”

   2020-10-30 · The David Rubenstein Show · Alex Gorsky · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source

8. “Well, look, I was very fortunate. And both my mother and father worked. My father started as a salesman in a foods company, Gerber Baby Food, and kind of worked his way bladder. But he was also a Korean war veteran, and he stayed in the Army Reserves. And my mother taught special education students.”

   2020-10-30 · The David Rubenstein Show · Alex Gorsky · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source

9. “Well, I couldn't have imagined 20, 40, 60 years ago that I'd ever be in this role of position. But I was actually born in Kansas City, Kansas. My grandparents, for the most part, were immigrants and opened up small stores, worked in meatpacking plants in Kansas City. And I was there through my early years. And then my father was moved with his job when I was about 12 years old to a little town in the lower peninsula of Michigan.”

   2020-10-30 · The David Rubenstein Show · Alex Gorsky · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source

10. “Yes, and I look, I think this is an important lesson for all industries, not only the healthcare industry, but every supply chain. And the good news is over the last several decades, the globally integrated supply chain has reaped tremendous rewards. And again, in terms of efficiency and effectiveness for so many different companies, however, I think it's important for us to realize that we've got to make sure that we've got the kind of redundancy and resiliency when these types of situations arise. And so we're looking hard across our supply chain as we speak to say, look, what are the things where, yes, we can still take advantage of so many of the efficiencies from what we were doing before, but what other things do we need to think about reshoring? What other capabilities do we need to think to have more local to ensure that in future pandemics, we're all better positioned and better prepared?”

    2020-10-30 · The David Rubenstein Show · Alex Gorsky · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source

11. “From a maniacal focus on efficiency and effectiveness in certain cases to one more of resiliency and sustainability, particularly for these kind of situations.”

    2020-10-30 · The David Rubenstein Show · Alex Gorsky · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source

12. “Well, you know, you're right. When we look backwards, things always seem clear. And, you know, I think there's a few lessons. And I would also say that almost all of us have underestimated the dramatic impact of this outbreak. I mean, if you would have asked most people eight or nine months ago, if you would ever see the kind of impact that we're seeing around the world right now, few would have gotten it right. But I think there are lessons to be learned. First and foremost, I think, is the importance, David, of global public health. And I think going forward, we're going to understand much better that, you know, if we don't have global public health security, we don't have national security. We don't have economic security. And we will not have security as society. So I think the importance of being prepared, making sure that we've got the kind of protocols in place that we have certain products prepositioned. And frankly, also move.”

    2020-10-30 · The David Rubenstein Show · Alex Gorsky · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source

13. “Not each and of themselves. I think there will be various opportunities. You use them. Look, we're going to learn, for example, with convalescent plasma. When and where are they most effective? In what patient population? Is it an older population? Could they be used, for example, in an elder care facility where you're seeing an outbreak in a more aggressive way? Should antivirals be used earlier in the disease? And I think we're, again, we're developing a lot of information as we speak, and we're going to learn a lot more in the coming weeks and months.”

    2020-10-30 · The David Rubenstein Show · Alex Gorsky · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source

14. “David, that's a great point. There is no one silver bullet here. And I think what is really important for everyone to understand it's going to take a holistic approach. Because likely we're going to be dealing with this not only as a pandemic, but it's going to be endemic for several years going forward. So in all likelihood, it's going to take a combination of therapeutics for patients who are actually sick, vaccines to prevent it from happening in the first place. You know, last but not least, the hospital protocols that I think have done a great job, still much more work to do in terms of reducing actual mortality and morbidity.”

    2020-10-30 · The David Rubenstein Show · Alex Gorsky · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source

15. “Well, David, look, I think all of us have a huge responsibility to take care of ourselves. And certainly those of us like myself, fortunate to be in this kind of a position where we have responsibility for others, have got to make sure that we put the safety of our employees, of our friends, of our families first in everything that we do. And look, that starts with the simple things. And I think one of the things that we've learned most through this pandemic is by making sure that we're using social distancing, that we're wearing masks, that we're washing our hands, that we're doing everything we can to prevent the spread of the virus are the most important steps that we can take to actually bringing an end to this pandemic and dealing with it for the long term.”

    2020-10-30 · The David Rubenstein Show · Alex Gorsky · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source

16. “David, look, I think it demonstrates that we're all vulnerable and we still all need to be very vigilant and diligent in the actions that we're taking to prevent this virus from spreading any further.”

    2020-10-30 · The David Rubenstein Show · Alex Gorsky · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source

17. “Well, look, the only way we're going to beat this virus is if we have global distribution and no one is safe, frankly, if the entire world is not provided access. And so we are absolutely committed to doing this in a very ethical and a very just way. And we've worked very hard to make agreements clearly with governments like the United States and Europe, Japan, the developed countries. But we're also working hand in hand with other pharmaceutical companies, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, to ensure that developing countries also have got access.”

    2020-10-30 · The David Rubenstein Show · Alex Gorsky · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source

18. “David, look, I think it's in the public's best interest that we're seeing this kind of public private partnership. I mean, it would be very difficult for us to make the kind of advancements and accelerate the timelines that we're doing right now, were it not for the partnership that we're seeing, not only in terms of funds being provided, but in terms of literally the day-to-day interactions that are taking place between regulators and scientists across many of these platforms. You know, in our case, from the very beginning, we made a pledge that we would do this on a not-for-profit basis. And yes, we are working with the government, and we've accepted the government funds, but we also recognize that as Johnson& Johnson, the world's largest healthcare company that's important for us at this very unique time to do it on a not-for-profit basis so that we can give as many people access around the world as possible.”

    2020-10-30 · The David Rubenstein Show · Alex Gorsky · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source

19. “Require perhaps even businesses, other stakeholders to make sure that we are sharing the facts. Look, I'm cautiously optimistic that as we provide more data, more information, that as people see the potential impact, positive impact that this could have in terms of returning back to a more normal state in some way, that people will find the comfort and confidence to have a vaccine because ultimately that it's going to be very important as we think about returning to a new kind of normal.”

    2020-10-30 · The David Rubenstein Show · Alex Gorsky · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source

20. “David, unfortunately, no, it's not a surprise, and it's actually fairly consistent, in fact, with what you see with the annual flu vaccine that can range from anywhere from about 20% and perhaps in some of the best states as high as 40, 40, or 50%. And I understand some of the skepticism and cynicism. There's a lot of misinformation, and there's a lot of concern about that people genuinely have, you know, based upon some of the readings that you can find out there. But I think that demonstrates is just how important it is for us to, number one, to work closely with healthcare authorities, whether it's the CDC, BARTA, the NIH, the FDA, agencies outside the United States to follow those appropriate protocols. I think secondly, it's going to take a lot of education. And that's, by the way, not only the responsibility, I believe of the pharmaceutical industry, but it's going to require the government.”

    2020-10-30 · The David Rubenstein Show · Alex Gorsky · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source

21. “Look, we think this is an incredibly important time for the pharmaceutical industry, let alone each of our companies. And it's absolutely critical during a time when unfortunately everything becomes politicized that we rely on data, that we rely on science, that we rely on well-established regulatory guidelines to guide all of our decisions regarding the development and the actual utilization of these vaccines. And we thought that collectively making it very explicit statement about our commitment, our pledge to following those established guidelines was very important to maintain the trust, to maintain the confidence of people around the world regarding the safety and efficacy and actual accessibility of these vaccines.”

    2020-10-30 · The David Rubenstein Show · Alex Gorsky · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source

22. “I think that's a good time frame to be planning on. And again, a lot of it's going to depend on what we find in phase three. And David, as you know, that can depend on the incidence of the virus, of course, because that has an impact on the statistical analysis that you'll be using in your study. It's going to depend on how well our vaccine is actually doing in the study and what kind of efficacy rates you hit. But I think for planning purposes, if you think about late 2020 and early 2021, I think those are the kind of timelines that are likely most realistic.”

    2020-10-30 · The David Rubenstein Show · Alex Gorsky · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source

23. “With what we talked about just recently when we announced the start of our phase three trial, we would expect by late this year, early next year, we should be in a position to begin reviews with regulatory authorities to see if our vaccine is in fact safe, effective, and something that could be considered for an emergency use authorization here in the United States and more likely around the world.”

    2020-10-30 · The David Rubenstein Show · Alex Gorsky · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source

24. “Like, it's usually about every 15 minutes, actually, that I get asked that. And let me start by saying I could not be more proud of the incredible work that our scientists and our engineers have been doing over the past nine months to put us into the position that we are today with a vaccine. I mean, to think that what would ordinarily take five or seven years, we've been able to do in a matter of months is quite remarkable. And without their hard work and dedication, probably 40,000 of our 150,000 employees, mostly in our factories and facilities and our laboratories have still been working, and they've been going literally around the clock to make that possible. And look, we still have a lot of work to do, but we made a lot of progress and we'll be finding out a lot more in the coming weeks and months. But”

    2020-10-30 · The David Rubenstein Show · Alex Gorsky · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source

25. “I had a bicycling accident where I had to get some stitches in my hand. And of course, when I went to the local hospital, I made sure that they were our sutures.”

    2020-10-30 · The David Rubenstein Show · Alex Gorsky · IDENTIFIED FROM THE TRANSCRIPT · source