Innovative Pharmaceuticals on the Path to Progress. What is the Best Way to Stimulate the Industry’s Development?

Natalia Popova, First Deputy СEO of the Non-State Development Institute “Innopraktika”, President of Vision Media Center LLC, graduated from Finance Academy under the Government of the Russian Federation and the Faculty of Foreign Languages and Area Studies of Moscow State University. Natalia is a member of the Boards of Directors of ITECMA LLC, VEB Ventures LLC, also the Supervisory Boards of the INTC Composite Valley Foundation and MSP Bank JSC, as well as the Board of Trustees of the School Unit of the “Phystech XXI” cluster and the autonomous non-profit educational organization “Phystech-lyceum” named after P.L. Kapitsa. In addition, she is the chairman of the board of directors of IAC OJSC, the co-chairman of the Coordinating Council for the introduction of innovative Russian products into the production and economic activities of Gazprom. Natalia is a member of the Council for the Implementation of the Federal Scientific and Technical Program for the Development of Agriculture for 2017-2025; the working group which provide support to small and medium businesses in high-tech sectors of the economy, including those introducing innovations, implementing projects in the field of import substitution and (or) producing export products and services; to the Expert council for the development of financial instruments and non-financial measures to support enterprises of Russia's defense industry under the Commission of the State Duma on legal support for the development of organizations in the defense industry of Russia. Natalia is the originator and the host of Innopraktika media projects, including such projects as “Dom uchenyh” (lit.: The House of Scientists) in cooperation with “Kultura” TV channel, “Nauka” (lit.: Science) in cooperation with “Russia-24” TV channel, also a member of the committee for preparation and implementation of the global project "Russian Seasons". Since December 2019, Natalia Popova has been holding the position of the Ombudsman representing interests of high-tech leading companies, established on the Commissioner for Entrepreneurs' Rights at the President of the Russian Federation institution basis.

On May 1, 2020, Tadzio Schilling took office as the CEO of the Association of European Businesses (AEB).


Mr. Schilling was elected by representatives of the AEB’s member companies at the Annual General Meeting on March 17, 2020. He replaces Dr. Frank Schauff, who had headed the AEB since 2007 and was re-elected to a fourth term in 2016.

Tadzio Schilling holds an MA in International Relations and an advanced MA in International History and Politics from the Graduate Institute Geneva, as well as an Executive MPA from the Hertie School of Governance in Berlin.

In his professional career, he has worked in various finance, HR, and sales functions for companies such as Zurich Cantonal Bank, Dell Inc., Wesser & Partner, and FirstClimate. He has also worked as a researcher and lecturer in Russian Studies at the Humboldt University of Berlin.

Before joining the AEB, he served as Deputy Head of Economic Affairs, Finance, and Science at the Swiss Embassy, then as Inbound Business Development Leader and Head of the German Business Center at EY.

He has also served as Chairman of the AEB SME Committee and a Board Member of the Joint Chambers of Commerce Switzerland-CIS.

Tadzio speaks German, English, French, Italian, Russian, Polish, and some Chinese.

In 2012, Vadim Kukava was offered the position of Executive Director of the Association of leading global innovative pharmaceutical companies, InPharma. During this time, the Association has become a key player in the Russian pharmaceutical market, collaborating with government bodies to develop balanced regulations of the industry for the benefit of Russian patents.
From 2006 to 2012, Vadim worked in leading international companies that produce consumer goods, in positions connected to public/GR relations and policy affairs. During this time, Vadim participated in discussions on key legislation in the sphere of regulating the tobacco and medical industries, collaborated with representatives of the Russian and European scientific communities, and played an active role in the work of industrial associations, including on the Board. In addition, Vadim was responsible for creating and developing a division for public and regulatory affairs.
From 2004 to 2006, he worked as a consultant at the Federal Agency for State Property Administration (Rosimuschestvo). Vadim was responsible for implementing the full range of powers of ownership related to property within the forestry and chemical industry owned by the Russian Federation.
In 2003, he graduated from the Faculty of Law of the International University in Moscow.