Keeping Biopharma Running: Lessons from 45 Years in Facilities
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In this episode of Make Yourself @ Work, Matt Tverberg sits down with John Anthenien, Head of Integrated Facilities Management at Genentech, the first biotech company ever formed and now the center of Roche's research and early development. John brings more than 40 years of experience in biopharma facilities, spanning Chiron, Novartis, and JLL.
John's career started in a hospital boiler room, not a corner office, and that hands-on foundation shaped how he leads facilities today.
He dives into the rise of the integrated facilities management (IFM) model, what it takes to build a one-team culture between client and provider staff, and how Genentech prepares for real emergencies through tabletop exercises and hands-on drills. Some key lessons from the conversation include: trust and shared accountability make or break an IFM partnership, regular drills turn plans into muscle memory, and real innovation is any new idea that brings genuine value.
This episode is a guide for facilities and workplace leaders, corporate real estate professionals, and anyone running operations at a complex, highly regulated site.
Connect with the guest and host on LinkedIn!
A few takeaway quotes from John:
“ We've been very successful, with the drugs we have, in extending patients' lives. There's nothing more rewarding than seeing that and working for a company where there's so much meaning and passion by their employees.”
“Innovation isn't as hard as people think. People talk about innovation all the time, and it's the form of continuous improvement. But what really is innovation? And I tell my team this: innovation is something new that brings value. That's it.”
“ To make yourself at work, you have to have a good work/life balance. You have to be able to get away. You have to take a step back.”
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