Great leaders are known for looking ahead, not just at what is happening now, but at what could happen in the future. Their ability to transcend the current moment empowers them to shape future actions that yield better outcomes. In healthcare, this kind of approach is important because the world of medicine is always changing. The present-day healthcare industry demands leadership that discovers innovative solutions to create better life conditions.
Khaled Sary, the General Manager of Takeda West Gulf Cluster, is one of those leaders. Over several years of dedicated service, he has focused on enhancing healthcare delivery, achieving transformative outcomes that have positively impacted both his colleagues and the patients they serve. His leadership goes beyond business expansion to foster a better and healthier future for everyone.
With his continuous dedication towards healthcare and deep pharmaceutical expertise, he has guided Takeda’s business in the Middle East, especially through the West Gulf Cluster. Through his professional advancement, Dr. Khaled Sary demonstrates the value of complete dedication and flexible thinking as well as human-centered approaches to medical development.
Dr. Khaled Sary’s leadership approach at Takeda demonstrates complete dedication to achieving both patient care outcomes and organizational excellence. Under his leadership, the organization continues to advance the pharmaceutical market in the region by conducting awareness and learning projects for the therapeutic areas, Gastrointestinal and Immunology, Rare diseases, Oncology, and Vaccines.
Let us explore below Khaled’s professional journey, leadership philosophy, and the impact Takeda has had under his leadership in the Middle East!
A Journey of Growth
Dr. Sary’s journey in the pharmaceutical industry has been nothing short of transformational. It all started with a deep passion for healthcare, which guided his career from the outset. Initially, his education as a physician shaped his early career, but his aspirations extended beyond the practice of medicine. He found himself drawn to the broader impact healthcare leadership could have on society.
His professional journey began in Egypt, where he started as a medical representative. This role provided him with a solid foundation in the pharmaceutical industry, allowing him to grasp the intricacies of sales, marketing, and healthcare solutions. However, it was in 2001 when he made a pivotal move to Saudi Arabia, where his career truly began to take shape. Over the years, he worked in various roles, including Sales and Marketing Manager and Business Unit Head. His contributions to these roles gave him invaluable insights into the region’s pharmaceutical sector, including the impact of major mergers, such as that of Schering-Plough and MSD, which reshaped the industry landscape.
His time in Saudi Arabia was marked by the constant evolution of the industry, a period in which he realized the transformative power of innovation in healthcare. This realization led him to join Takeda Pharmaceuticals as a Business Unit Manager, a role that would define the next chapter of his career. “Joining Takeda was a pivotal turning point,” he recalls. “It allowed me to combine my medical background with leadership expertise to drive impactful initiatives that aligned with Takeda’s mission.”
Today, as General Manager of the West Gulf Cluster, Dr. Khaled Sary oversees operations in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, and Bahrain. His journey through various leadership roles in the Gulf region has equipped him with the experience and vision necessary to lead the company’s operations and further its mission of delivering high-quality healthcare solutions.
Leadership Philosophy: Collaboration, Innovation, and Patient-Centric Care
Khaled Sary’s leadership philosophy is anchored in collaboration, innovation, and a patient-first mindset. This patient-centric approach is integral not only to Takeda’s decision-making framework, but also to his personal philosophy. He believes in creating an environment where ideas flourish and where diverse perspectives are embraced. “Empowering teams to bring their best ideas forward is crucial,” he asserts. “This approach allows us to navigate the ever-evolving pharmaceutical industry while ensuring our strategies align with both local needs and global standards.”
His philosophy has had a significant impact on how Takeda operates in the Middle East. He has worked tirelessly to foster an environment of trust, transparency, and integrity, which has led to strong partnerships both within the organization and with external stakeholders. By prioritizing these values, he has helped establish Takeda as a strategic partner for healthcare authorities in the region, committed to improving patient outcomes.
Moreover, his focus on collaboration extends beyond internal teams to include partnerships with local healthcare organizations. He understands the importance of building relationships that are built on mutual respect and trust. “Our approach to leadership is not just about delivering results; it’s about delivering results in a way that is collaborative, transparent, and driven by integrity,” he explains.
Takeda’s Role in Transforming Healthcare in the Region
Takeda’s role in transforming healthcare in the Middle East is rooted in its commitment to innovative medicines and therapies. Under his leadership, the company is making significant strides in areas such as Gastrointestinal and Immunology, Rare diseases, Oncology, and Vaccines—fields that are crucial to the future of healthcare in the region. “We consider ourselves key contributors in enhancing access to life-transforming medicines, thereby enhancing patient care and outcomes.” he states.
A primary initiative that Dr. Khaled Sary is focused on is strengthening partnerships with local healthcare organizations. By working closely with these stakeholders, Takeda aims to improve patient access and care delivery across various therapeutic areas. “Collaborating closely with healthcare authorities is central to our mission. We recognize that innovation in healthcare comes from strong partnerships that enhance timely diagnoses and more effective treatment strategies. By working together, we can drive transformative change and improve outcomes for patients everywhere.” He said.
In addition to these partnerships, the organization is also investing heavily in educational programs. Khaled’s team has developed initiatives to raise awareness and understanding of complex diseases, furthering its mission of patient-centric care. Digital health is another key area of focus. By integrating digital technologies into healthcare delivery, Takeda is enhancing patient engagement and streamlining operations. “Digital health is a powerful tool,” he says. “It allows us to effectively connect with our patients in faster and novel ways and improve the overall patient experience.”
Challenges and Opportunities in the Middle East Healthcare Landscape
The healthcare landscape in the Middle East is evolving rapidly, presenting both challenges and opportunities for companies like Takeda. One of the biggest challenges he sees is ensuring that advanced healthcare solutions are accessible across the region’s diverse regulatory and economic landscapes. “The regulatory environment varies greatly from country to country,” he explains. “Navigating these differences requires strategic collaboration with governmental entities, healthcare providers, and pharmaceutical companies.”
At the same time, Dr. Khaled Sary views these challenges as opportunities for growth and innovation. The company’s ability to adapt to these varied landscapes has allowed the company to make significant strides in improving patient access to cutting-edge treatments. He also sees digital transformation as an area of great opportunity. “Embracing digital transformation is not just about improving operations—it’s about improving the way healthcare is delivered,” he says. “Digital health solutions allow us to engage with patients in more personalized and efficient ways.”
Advancements and Strategies to Improve Patient Care
Khaled Sary is proud of the transformation that Takeda is driving to improve patient care. One key area of focus is the development of innovative therapies in Gastrointestinal and Immunology, Rare Diseases, Oncology and Vaccines. “We are committed to driving innovation in these challenging therapeutic areas, which remain a core focus of our purpose in advancing healthcare in the region.” he said.
In addition to these research and development efforts, the company is integrating digital health technologies to enhance patient engagement. “By using digital tools, we can offer more personalized healthcare experiences,” he explains. “This integration of technology allows us to bridge gaps in healthcare access and improve patient outcomes.”
Proudest Achievements
Khaled Sary reflects on several key milestones during his tenure at Takeda, with one of the most significant being the transformation of its approach to patient engagement through the launch of several impactful events. “Introducing differentiated platforms like IBD Aware, HAE Summit, and IBD Nexus has been a defining achievement,” he shared. “These events have created vital platforms for dialogue and collaboration among healthcare experts, patient groups, and key stakeholders.”
These events have not only elevated awareness in critical therapeutic areas such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and hereditary angioedema (HAE), but they have also helped foster collaboration among various healthcare professionals. He is also proud of the opening of Takeda’s Regional Headquarters in Riyadh, which represents a strategic step in expanding its presence in the region. “This new hub is a testament to our commitment to long-term partnerships and our vision of strengthening regional integration,” he says.
Balancing Corporate Success with Patient Well-Being
For Dr. Khaled Sary, the balance between corporate success and patient well-being is the foundation of his leadership approach. “Our growth strategy is aligned with the need to deliver life-transforming medicines meeting effectively with the patient needs,” he explains. The organization’s approach to corporate growth is rooted in sustainability, ensuring that business success is intertwined with a positive impact on society.
Takeda West Gulf’s commitment to expanding healthcare access in underserved areas is a key example of how the company balances these two objectives. “Business growth is important, but it must always be rooted in societal value,” he emphasizes. Through patient support programs and collaborations with healthcare professionals, Takeda is making an impact in the lives of patients who are afflicted with IBD, HAE and Cancer.
Advice for Aspiring Healthcare Professionals
Khaled Sary’s advice to aspiring healthcare leaders is simple yet powerful: “Always stay curious and never stop learning.” He believes that the most successful leaders are those who are continuously exploring new ways to improve patient care, be it through technological advancements or innovative treatment strategies. “The healthcare industry is dynamic and ever-evolving, and the ability to adapt and innovate is crucial,” he advises.
He also stresses the importance of collaboration and empathy in leadership. “To make a difference, you need to work with others and understand their perspectives,” he shares. “The ability to listen, learn, and act with integrity will set you apart in this industry.”
As he continues to lead Takeda Pharmaceuticals in the West Gulf region, his vision for the future remains clear: to shape a healthcare landscape that is innovative, patient-centric, and transformative. His leadership is an inspiring example of how one individual can make a lasting impact on the lives of patients and the broader healthcare industry.
