Karen Burns
About Karen Burns
Karen Burns serves as the Director of Pharmacovigilance Compliance at Nektar Therapeutics, bringing over 13 years of management experience in clinical and healthcare settings. Her career includes significant roles at various pharmaceutical companies, focusing on drug safety and pharmacovigilance.
Current Role at Nektar Therapeutics
Karen Burns serves as the Director of Pharmacovigilance Compliance at Nektar Therapeutics, a position she has held since 2021. In this role, she is responsible for ensuring compliance with pharmacovigilance regulations and overseeing safety activities related to drug and device management. Her expertise contributes to the company's commitment to maintaining high standards in drug safety and regulatory adherence.
Previous Experience in Pharmacovigilance
Karen Burns has held several significant positions in the pharmacovigilance field. She worked at Asahi Kasei Pharma America in various roles, including Director of Drug Safety & Pharmacovigilance from 2016 to 2018, and Senior Manager of Drug Safety & Pharmacovigilance from 2014 to 2016. Additionally, she served as Director of Pharmacovigilance Quality and Compliance at Alkermes from 2019 to 2021, and as Manager of Pharmacovigilance at Aptiv Solutions from 2007 to 2012.
Educational Background
Karen Burns has a diverse educational background. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Kalamazoo College, where she studied from 1977 to 1982. Later, she pursued a Doctor of Chiropractic degree at Life University, completing her studies from 1990 to 1994. This combination of psychology and chiropractic education supports her multifaceted approach to healthcare and compliance.
Management Experience
With 13 years of management experience in clinical and healthcare settings, Karen Burns has overseen teams of up to 12 direct reports. Her leadership roles have equipped her with the skills necessary to manage global drug and device safety activities across various phases, from initial clinical trials through to post-market surveillance.
Background in Chiropractic and Healthcare
Before her extensive career in pharmacovigilance, Karen Burns owned and operated Burns Chiropractic from 1994 to 2004 in Lilburn, GA. This experience in chiropractic care provided her with a foundational understanding of patient safety and healthcare practices, which she has applied throughout her career in drug safety and compliance.