Veterinary Medicines
VeterinaryCorporateGovernance
The European Medicines Agency's (EMA) Veterinary Medicines Division oversees veterinary medicines throughout their lifecycle. This includes the provision of guidance and advice during medicine development, the marketing authorisation process and the safety monitoring of medicines on the market. It also works to facilitate access to and the optimal use of veterinary medicines, for the benefit of animal welfare, animal health and public health in the European Union.
The Division supports the work of the European medicines regulatory network to produce high-quality scientific evaluations on veterinary medicines. It also contributes to the Agency's work that span both human and veterinary activities, in line with the 'One health' approach.
The Division maintains close contact with international partners, in conjunction with the Agency's international-affairs function.
It provides the secretariat to the EMA committees and working parties that support EMA's work on veterinary medicines.
Organisation chart: Veterinary Medicines
Head of Veterinary Medicines
Ivo Claassen
Nationality: Dutch
Career to date:
- Head of Veterinary Medicines, European Medicines Agency (2018-present), also exercising function of Deputy Executive Director (2021-present)
- Programme Manager, International Cooperation, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Lelystad, the Netherlands (2012-2018)
- Head of Department of Infection Biology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Lelystad, the Netherlands (2015)
- Head of the Partnership Operation Office, Indonesian-Dutch Partnership on Control of Avian Influenza, Jakarta, Indonesia (2007-2011)
- Programme manager, International Support, Infectious Diseases, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Lelystad, the Netherlands (2006-2007)
- Member, Committee for Medicinal Products for Veterinary Use (CVMP), (2004-2007)
- Manager of Department of Bacteriology and Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy (TSE's), Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Lelystad, the Netherlands (2004-2006)
- Head of Department of State Quality Control and Standardization, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Lelystad, the Netherlands (1999-2004)
- Deputy Head of Department of Quality Management, Qualified Person, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Lelystad, the Netherlands (1998-1999)
- Head of Department of Quality Control, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Lelystad, the Netherlands (1997-1998)
- Head of Laboratory of Biochemical Vaccine Quality Control, National Institute of Health and Environment, Bilthoven, the Netherlands (1986-1997)
Education:
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Virology and Immunology, Medical Faculty of the Erasmus University, Rotterdam, the Netherlands (1998)
- Master of Science (MSc) in Biomedical Sciences, Free University Amsterdam, the Netherlands (1986)
Evaluation and Innovation Support Department
Jordi Torren Edo
Nationality: Spanish
Career to date:
- Head of Evaluation and Innovation Support, European Medicines Agency (2019-present)
- Head of Veterinary Risk and Surveillance, European Medicines Agency (2017-2019)
- Principal Administrator, European Medicines Agency (2016-2017)
- Scientific Administrator, European Medicines Agency (2000-2015)
- Regulatory Affairs Manager in the private sector, Barcelona, Spain (1993-2000)
Education:
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in pharmacology, Universitat Autonoma de Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain (2019)
- Masters in pharmacology, Universitat Autonoma de Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain (2013)
- Masters in regulatory affairs, Universitat Autonoma de Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain (1999)
- Degree in veterinary medicine, Universitat Autonoma de Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain (1989)
Noemi Garcia del Blanco
Nationality: Spanish
Career to date:
- Head of Veterinary Biologicals and Emerging Therapies, European Medicines Agency (2019-present)
- Acting Director of Authorisations, Veterinary Medicines Directorate, New Haw, United Kingdom (2018)
- Head of Biologicals, Veterinary Medicines Directorate, New Haw, United Kingdom (2016-2018)
- Head of Assessment, Biologicals Assessment team, Veterinary Medicines Directorate, New Haw, United Kingdom (2013-2016)
- Scientific Assessor, Biologicals Assessment team, Veterinary Medicines Directorate, New haw, United Kingdom (2008-2013)
- Principal Scientist, Biologicals Development, Pfizer Animal Health, Sandwich, United Kingdom (2003-2008)
- Scientist, Discovery Biology, Pfizer Animal Health, Sandwich, United Kingdom (2002-2003)
- Research Scientist, University of León (Department of Microbiology), Spain (1999-2001)
- Veterinary Microbiologist, State Laboratory of León, Spain (1998-1999)
Education:
- Doctor of Philosophy in Microbiology: Infectious Diseases, Department of Animal Health, School of Veterinary Medicine University of León, Spain (2002)
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), Specialist competence : specializing in Animal Medicine and Health, School of Veterinary Medicine University of León, Spain (1997)
- Professional Certificate in Management, Open University, United Kingdom (2007)
Nicholas Jarrett
Nationality: British
Career to date:
- Head of Veterinary Pharmaceuticals, European Medicines Agency (2017 – present)
- Scientific Administrator, European Medicines Agency (2007 – 2017)
- Nonclinical Assessor, Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, London, UK (2003 – 2007)
- Medical Writer, Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, London, UK (2002 – 2003)
- Medical Copywriter, Langland, Windsor, UK (2001)
- Editorial Assistant and Research Laboratory Manager, King's College London, UK (1999 – 2000)
- Temporary Scientist, Novartis Institute for Medical Sciences, London, UK (1997 – 1999)
- Postdoctoral Research Assistant, Royal Postgraduate Medical School, London, UK (1996)
Education:
- Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, UK (1993-1996)
- Master of Science in Toxicology, University of Surrey, UK (1992 – 1993)
- Bachelor of Science in Neurobiology, University of Sussex, UK (1988 – 1991)
Surveillance and Regulatory Support Department
Emily Drury
Nationality: British / French
Career to date:
- Head of Veterinary Regulatory Affairs and Referrals, European Medicines Agency (2022-present)
- Veterinary Regulatory Affairs Senior Lead, European Medicines Agency (2020-2022)
- Head of Veterinary Regulatory and Organisation Support, European Medicines Agency (2017-2019)
- Scientific Administrator (project manager), Veterinary Regulatory and Organisation Support, European Medicines Agency (2009-2017)
- Regulatory Projects Manager, Cyton Biosciences Ltd, Bristol, United Kingdom (2006-2009)
- Regulatory Executive (Senior), Cyton Biosciences Ltd, Bristol, United Kingdom (2001-2006)
Education:
- Master of Science honours degree in Biological Sciences, University of Oxford, United Kingdom (2000)
Jos Olaerts
Nationality: Belgian
Career to date:
- Head of Veterinary Risk and Surveillance, European Medicines Agency (2019-present)
- Scientific administrator, European Medicines Agency (1999-2019)
- Veterinary Officer, Belgian Ministry of Health (1997-1999)
- Research assistant at Veterinary Clinic, University of Liege, Belgium (1993-1997)
- Horse veterinarian, Belgium (1991-1993)
Education:
- Doctor in Veterinary Medicine, University of Gent, Belgium (1991)
- Master of Science in Biostatistics, University of Hasselt, Belgium (1997)
Kristina Paterson
Nationality: Bulgarian
Career to date:
- Head of Veterinary Regulatory Affairs and Referrals (ad interim), European Medicines Agency (2024-present)
- Scientific Administrator, European Medicines Agency (2010-2024)
- Trainee, European Medicines Agency (2009-2010)
Education:
- Master of Science (MSc) in Biochemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Germany (2009)
- Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Chemistry, Reutlingen University, Germany (2007)
Zoltan Kunsagi
Nationality: Hungarian
Career to date:
Head of Veterinary Antimicrobial Monitoring and Resistance Service, European Medicines Agency (2023-present)
Scientific administrator in the Antimicrobial Resistance team, European Medicines Agency (2014-2023)
Laboratory and Quality Management Expert, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ GmbH), Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (2012-2014)
Scientific Project Officer, European Commission, Joint Research Centre (DG JRC), Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (IRMM), European Union Reference Laboratory of Mycotoxins, Geel, Belgium (2009-2012)
Head of the National Reference Laboratory of Mycotoxins, Central Agricultural Office, Food and Feed Safety Directorate, Budapest, Hungary (2007-2009)
Veterinary toxicologist, Central Veterinary Institue, Budapest, Hungary (1999-2007)
Clinical veterinarian, Pet-Vet Small Animal Clinic, Budapest, Hungary (1999-2007)
Education:
- Specialised Degree in Analytical Chemistry and Chromatography: Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Budapest, Hungary (2009)
- Veterinary Toxicology degree: Szent Istvan University, Faculty of Veterinary Science Budapest, Hungary (2007)
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM): University of Veterinary Sciences, Budapest, Hungary (1999)
Veterinary Strategic Support Office
Jana Schalansky
Nationality: German
Career to date:
- Head of Veterinary Strategic Support office (ad interim), European Medicines Agency (2021-present)
- Programme Manager (Business Change), Veterinary Medicines Division, European Medicines Agency (2016-2021)
- Assistant (various roles), Veterinary Medicines Division, European Medicines Agency (2003-2016)
- Executive Secretary, publity AG, Berlin, Germany (2001-2003)
- Executive Assistant, innominate AG, Berlin, Germany (1999-2001)
- Secretary, Thyssenkrupp Transrapid GmbH, Berlin, Germany (1998-1999)
Education:
- BA in business administration and psychology, Europäische Fernhochschule Hamburg, Germany (2015)
- Executive Assistant (bSb); Institut für Lernsysteme, Hamburg, Germany (2003)
- Bilingual secretary, Euro-Schulen Sachsen-Anhalt Süd GmbH, Halle (Saale), Germany (1998)
Declaration of interests: Jana Schalansky