- Beatriz Perales (Sobi) will continue as president of the Association for the next two years.
- Iván Silva (Kyowa Kirin), José Luis Moreno (Ultragenyx), Sergio Bullón (Alnylam), María Fernández (Amgen), Iria Nieto (PTC Therapeutics), and Angelino Ruiz (UCB) round out the Association’s new Board of Directors for the 2026–2028 term
The General Assembly of the Spanish Association of Laboratories for Orphan and Ultra-Orphan Drugs (AELMHU), comprising its 29 member companies, elected the Association’s new Board of Directors on Wednesday for the 2026–2028 term.
The Board of Directors of AELMHU, which will continue to be chaired by Beatriz Perales, Director of Access and Institutional Relations at Sobi, is embarking on this new phase with the goal of continuing to improve the health and quality of life of people with rare and ultra-rare diseases.
To this end, the Association’s new representative body will continue to strengthen its collaboration with health authorities, patient associations, scientific societies, professional organizations, and all stakeholders involved in the field of rare diseases and the pharmaceutical industry.
“As we have done since our founding more than 15 years ago, AELMHU will continue to work to advance research and the development of new treatment options for people with rare diseases. In addition, we will continue to advocate for improvements in the processes of evaluation, funding, and access to innovative treatments to accelerate the delivery of innovation to patients,” said Beatriz Perales.
President of AELMHU since 2024, Beatriz Perales holds a degree in Pharmacy and has training in Management, Communication, and Digital Commerce, as well as teaching experience at Cesif, Nebrija University, and the European University. With nearly 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, she has held various leadership positions at several pharmaceutical companies.
Iván Silva, Director of Market Access for the Southern Cluster and Country Manager for Spain at Kyowa Kirin, will assume the role of Vice President of the Association. He holds a degree in Pharmacy and has specialized training in management and leadership within the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors. With over 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, he has held various leadership positions in market access and regulatory affairs throughout his career.
José Luis Moreno, Vice President and General Manager of Ultragenyx in Italy, Spain, and Portugal, will continue to serve as Secretary of AELMHU. With extensive experience in the field of rare diseases, he has held various leadership positions within the pharmaceutical industry, focusing his efforts on driving innovation and promoting access to new treatment options for patients with rare diseases.
Sergio Bullón, Vice President and General Manager of Alnylam Pharmaceuticals for Spain and Mid-Size Markets South, will also continue to serve on the AELMHU Board of Directors as treasurer. With more than 20 years of experience in the healthcare sector, he has led commercial and strategic initiatives at various companies throughout his career, promoting access to innovative therapies, particularly for rare diseases.
Meanwhile, María Fernández, Director of Market Access and Institutional Relations at Amgen Spain; Iria Nieto, Managing Director of PTC Therapeutics Iberia; and Angelino Ruiz, Director of the Rare Diseases and Epilepsy Business Unit at UCB Iberia, are joining the new Board of Directors as members.
María Fernández is a pharmacist and an expert in market access, health policy, and institutional relations, with more than two decades of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry. She currently leads the access, pricing, and financing strategy for Amgen Spain’s portfolio of innovative and biosimilar medicines, as well as institutional engagement and the public affairs agenda in areas such as oncology, cardiovascular disease, inflammation, and rare diseases.
Iria Nieto, who holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, began her professional career in scientific research before joining the pharmaceutical industry. Since then, she has focused her career on the medical field, particularly rare and ultra-rare diseases, working to advance new therapeutic options and develop initiatives aimed at improving patients’ lives.
Angelino Ruiz has more than 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, where he has held positions in the commercial and market access areas. He has been with UCB Iberia since 2008, holding various leadership positions in different therapeutic areas, market access, and institutional relations. He holds a degree in Pharmacy from the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM) and an MBA in the Pharmaceutical Industry from EPHOS.
