We are MAC
The Medicine Access Channel, a team of healthcare, pharma, and consulting professionals bridging the gap between innovative treatments and patient access, when a drug is not available through regular channels after Marketing authorization
Working with patients associations, clinicians, industry, and funders, we are building a faster pathway for patients in need that blends expertise, technology, and compassion to improve access across countries
Our Story
The Medicine Access Channel began with a simple idea: no patient should wait for a treatment that has been independently reviewed by a recognized regulatory authority and received approval
Together with like-minded colleagues, we created a platform built on collaboration and determination by connecting patients through associations, clinicians, and industry to bring hope where systems fall short
Our Principles
Our values define how we operate and will guide us as we build a trusted and transparent platform for health care access
_edited.png)
Transparency
We believe in full transparency, from how donations are received to how they’re used to make an impact
Integrity
We will build our hub with legal and compliance expertise at the core
COllaboration
We believe progress happens when patients, clinicians, and industry work together
Our Team
Our team brings together decades of experience in healthcare, pharma, consulting and innovation. Each member contributes unique skills, insight and energy, united by a shared mission to improve patient access and outcomes. We value collaboration, curiosity and compassion, qualities that shape both our work and our culture.
Walter Colasante, MBA, MPH
Pharma Engagement and Negotiation Lead
Walter has over 25 years’ experience in pharma and consulting, from clinical development to advising global pharma and biotech companies on pricing, access, and negotiation strategies. He has supported clients across therapy areas and geographies to secure optimal access for innovative medicines.
Andrew Lane, MSc, MRPharms
Fundraising Lead
Andrew, a qualified pharmacist, chaired the National Pharmacy Association through the pandemic and helped negotiate the Covid vaccination rollout in pharmacies in partnership with Government and NHS England. With a successful career in community pharmacy as owner of AlChem Pharma Group, he brings strategic insight, clinical governance experience, and compassionate leadership. He is also Chair of Age UK Oxfordshire and Action for Carers Oxfordshire.
Pascale Diesel, Pharm D
Marketing and Communication Lead
Pascale trained as a pharmacist and spent 15 years in pharma and biotech across Switzerland and the UK, holding medical, marketing, and strategic roles for innovative products. She then spent 20 years in management consulting, specialising in valuations and due diligence for pharma and investors. Today, she runs her own consulting boutique supporting biotechs and pharma, and serves as President of the Audit Committee of Crédit Mutuel in France.
Daike (Danielle A.M.) Van de Putte
General Counsel
Daike is an international General Counsel with 25+ years’ experience in life sciences, medtech and venture capital, advising boards on corporate law, M&A, risk and global ethics& compliance. She has held senior legal roles at Astellas, Shire, GSK Biologicals and Sever Life Sciences, and now advises life sciences and investment clients through her consultancy, Highclere Lexethica. She is based in Surrey, UK.
Rebecca Dutrieux
Chief Financial Officer
Rebecca is an experienced finance leader with over 25 years of international experience, including extensive expertise in healthcare and pharma. Passionate about using financial and commercial insights to drive meaningful impact, she brings a pragmatic and collaborative approach to strategic decision-making, resource optimisation and risk management. She is motivated by the opportunity to apply her expertise to improving access to affordable, life-changing healthcare and creating sustainable impact across diverse markets.
Ilana Widera, MD
Patient Associations and Public Affairs Lead
Ilana is a surgeon by training with 10 years in hospital, 10 years in health insurance, and 20 years in pharma at global level. She has been a strong advocate for patients, health equity and mentorship, serving as a liaison with KOLs, advocacy groups and institutions, and driving global initiatives such as breast cancer innovation projects. Passionate about improving healthcare access, particularly for vulnerable communities, she now lives in Brussels and remains active in the healthcare system during her retirement.
Nils Eckardt, MD, MSc
Chief Medical Officer
Nils is a physician with over 30 years of experience across the healthcare value chain. He began his career treating cancer patients at the University Hospital Eppendorf in Hamburg before moving into management consulting and later medical affairs, where he has worked since 2003. With degrees in medicine and clinical pharmacology, he has significant expertise in managed access projects including compassionate use, post-trial supply and named patient sales.
Maarten Hardenberg
Strategy Lead
Maarten has a decade of experience in life sciences, with over six years focused on strategic market access and pricing. He works on value, access, price and negotiation strategy, and health policy for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies across EU/UK, US and international markets. He holds a PhD in Chemistry from Cambridge and has authored publications across academia, healthcare policy and HEOR. At MAC, he leads market access strategy and the design of the access pathway. He is based in Cambridge, UK.