Lucid Group Appoints Former Pfizer R&D Leader Rod MacKenzie, CMG, PhD, as Board Chair to Drive Next Phase of Global Growth and Innovation
March 18, 2026 |
Appointment marks a pivotal step in Lucid’s next phase of growth, strengthening its ability to translate complex science into real-world impact.
Lucid’s US Medical Affairs division unveils new proprietary insights tools to expand advisory capabilities.
LONDON & PHILADELPHIA, March 18, 2026 – Lucid Group, a global leader in healthcare communications and commercialisation, today announced that Rod MacKenzie, CMG, PhD, former Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer at Pfizer, has been appointed as the new Chair of the Lucid Group Board of Directors. Dr MacKenzie will succeed Andy Black, who retired from the Board following the end of his term.
This appointment reflects a shared mission with Lucid Group to transform lives by ensuring innovative medicine doesn’t stop at approval but reaches the patients who need it most. His leadership marks a pivotal step in Lucid’s next phase of growth, strengthening its ability to translate complex science into real-world impact.
“Dr MacKenzie’s career is defined by his dedication to patient outcomes and a deep understanding that breakthrough science only matters when translated into action,” said Rick Sannem, CEO of Lucid Group. “His arrival supports our shared vision that we don’t just help clients talk about their science, we uncover the defining insights that shape behaviour so life-changing medicines find their rightful place in the market.”
Dr MacKenzie spent 34 years at Pfizer, where he led the Global Product Development division and oversaw 6,000 professionals dedicated to advancing innovative medicines and vaccines. He played a critical role in the development of both the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and antiviral, Paxlovid, in addition to serving on Pfizer’s Executive Leadership Team from 2016 to 2022. In recognition of his contributions to public health during the pandemic, he was appointed Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George by Queen Elizabeth II in 2022.
“Inventing and developing innovative medicines takes great science and execution. But translating that science into improved patient outcomes in clinical practice requires real strategic discipline,” said Dr MacKenzie. “Even brilliant science can struggle to break through, so innovative companies need a strategic partner like Lucid, whose integrated approach to solving complex challenges delivers changes in behaviours that successfully overcome treatment barriers. Lucid’s cre
ativity and unique data synthesis capabilities really stand out in the marketplace. I am thrilled to join the Lucid Board and share Lucid’s deep commitment to transforming lives across the globe.”
In addition to Dr MacKenzie’s appointment, Lucid’s US Medical Affairs division is unveiling new proprietary insights tools to expand its advisory capabilities at the Medical Affairs Professional Society (MAPS) conference in Denver from 22-25 March:
- Influence Amplifier™ – Closes the gap between communication and behaviour change by combining real-time behavioural insights, precision targeting, and adaptive analytics to expand peer-to-peer communication relevance and audience priorities.
- Impact Validator™ – Pinpoints precisely where efforts drive change through a five-step framework spanning clinical gaps and audience priorities, tailored interventions, omnichannel engagement, performance data, and adaptive refinement.
Together, these tools magnify and document scientific impact while delivering Precision Engagement™, a repeatable, self‑optimising cycle that continuously strengthens scientific influence, impact, and patient outcomes over time.
To demonstrate how Lucid Medical is enabling Medical Affairs teams to be strategic catalysts for change, it is offering free, 30-minute Impact Calibration™ sessions designed to map Medical Affairs teams’ current influence and spotlight opportunities for measurable growth.
About Lucid Group
Lucid Group, a global leader in healthcare communications and commercialisation, is driven by a mission to transform lives by bridging the gap between scientific discovery and patient impact. For life sciences organisations navigating their highest-stakes decisions, Lucid doesn’t just communicate science but ensures clients leave a lasting impact on the market and the patients they serve. Lucid brings together experts across Strategy Consulting, Scientific and Medical Communications, and Commercial Communications, fusing scientific rigour, strategic foresight, commercial ingenuity, creative storytelling, and deep human insight into an integrated force, powered by real-world evidence. This unique approach allows Lucid to uncover the ‘Lucid Truth’— the deep-seated insight that governs stakeholder behaviour and anchors bold, behaviour-changing ideas, executed at key moments and accelerated by AI and technology. To learn more about Lucid Group, visit www.wearelucidgroup.com and LinkedIn.
Media Contacts:
Chris Dougherty
CDougherty@reboundb2b.com
Elyse Cole
media@wearelucidgroup.com
This content was provided by Lucid Group Communications Limited
Company Details
Latest Content from Lucid Group Communications Limited
Lucid has been celebrating 10 years of professionalism and unwavering passion
Lucid recognises, rewards and celebrates long-term service with flowers, vouchers and additional holiday for those who have been with the company for five and ten years. With over 20% of...
Trends in the Pharma Industry – A Lucid Thirsty Thursday Session
Rob Apollo, Corporate Development Director of Lucid Group, kicked off the first of a series of Thirsty Thursday sessions with a thought-provoking discussion around trends in the pharma industry and...
The Social Dilemma
In the June issue of PME, Dennis O’Brien, Lucid CEO, explores the relationship between social media and pharma.“There is a party going on next door, but our industry is too...
Lucid Group Let Loose with the Launch of ‘Summer Fridays’
In-line with Lucid’s agile working policy, the company is introducing the concept of ‘Summer Fridays’ across all of its UK businesses in July and August.A ‘Summer Friday’ means that employees...
Lucid demonstrates continual investment in its central services with the appointment of its new Head of Talent, Resourcing and HR projects
Lucid group is excited to announce the appointment of its new head of Talent, Resourcing and HR projects, Olivia Emirali.Olivia joined Lucid in March this year to review recruitment and...
The founders of Lucid Group reflect on their beginnings in MedComms and why it’s the place to be #Medcomms Day
In support of MedComms Day we caught up with the co-founders of Lucid Group, Jan Steele (COO) and Dennis O’Brien (CEO), to discuss the aspirations that drove them to start...
Lucid Group gets into the Bake Off Spirit
Lucid SPIRIT, Lucid’s charity working group, organised a spellbinding bake off to raise money for its charity partner, Wycombe Homeless Connection (WHC).Yesterday employees across the business enjoyed home-baked delights as...
Lucid Group and Vivid Medical Communications make the cut at this year’s Communiqué awards
Lucid Group has been shortlisted for the Porterhouse Medical Group Award for Medical Consultancy of the Year award, illustrating once again the magic that Lucid brings to the industry.Vivid, a...
Lighthouse Medical Communications US continues its expansion with two new hires to its client services team
Anita Dudek joins Lighthouse’s client services team as an Account Director. Prior to joining Lighthouse, Anita led brand teams across oncology, respiratory, cardiovascular and diabetes therapeutic areas, as well as...
Lucid Group strengthens its scientific leadership and client service team with two new hires
Two Lucid Group companies, Vivid and Leading Edge, welcome new talent to their teams.Eve Raebel joins Vivid as a medical writer. Eva has 2 years’ experience as a scientific writer...