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Harriet Keane

PartnerNew York

Helps pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies deliver novel therapies to patients via portfolio strategy, development acceleration, operating model, and R&D; experience across therapeutic areas with expertise in oncology

Harriet is a leader in our Life Sciences Practice. She serves pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients on strategy and organizational topics across the United States, Asia, and Europe. A scientist by training, Harriet coleads the McKinsey Cancer Center in North America and the R&D organization and operating model group.

Harriet has worked with a broad set of pharmaceutical clients on R&D topics including portfolio strategy, external innovation models, asset acceleration, organizational design and operating models, as well as integration and transformation support. She has also spent a considerable amount of time working at the interface of commercial and development areas, including launch planning and evidence generation strategy.

Harriet has expertise across a broad set of therapeutic areas such as: infectious diseases, respiratory, immunology, neurology, nephrology, and vaccines. She also has a particular interest in oncology—including cell therapy—across discovery, translation, development, and commercialization.

Prior to joining McKinsey, Harriet completed a PhD in neuroscience and molecular biology at the University of Oxford, where she also read for a master’s in chemistry with a focus on organic synthesis. Outside of work, Harriet enjoys endurance sports and global travel.

Published work

Accelerating clinical trials to improve biopharma R&D productivity,” McKinsey & Company, January 2024

Building pharma pipelines using a socioeconomic lens,” McKinsey & Company, April 2022

Delivering innovation: 2020 oncology market outlook,” McKinsey & Company, September 2020

Playing to win in oncology: Key capabilities for success,” McKinsey & Company, March 2020

The pursuit of excellence in new drug development,” McKinsey & Company, November 2019

Designing an agile transformation in pharma R&D,” McKinsey & Company, July 2019

R&D in the ‘age of agile,’” McKinsey & Company, October 2018

Education

University of Oxford
PhD, neuroscience
MS, chemistry