Jim Elkin

Vice President, Federal Government Relations
Novartis Corporation

Jim Elkin is Vice President and Head of the Novartis Washington office. He is responsible for managing the lobbying staff and designing and implementing legislative strategies on behalf of Novartis before the Congress and the Administration. He also interacts with various trade associations and interest groups on matters affecting Novartis Pharmaceuticals and the other Novartis health care business units.

Mr. Elkin has 20 years experience in the government relations field and 30 years of service with Novartis. He started his career as a pharmaceutical sales associate moving up the ranks as a transplant specialist, and serving as a regional sales manager for the Northwest, based in Seattle. Throughout his career with Novartis, Mr. Elkin has won several awards including a national sales award.

Mr. Elkin was promoted to lead the lobbying efforts in Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin on behalf of the company and served as the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers Association (PhRMA) state task force chairman in Minnesota. He was recognized by PhRMA with their leadership award for his role as chairman. In 1994, Mr. Elkin was appointed to the Washington office by the CEO and became head of the office in 2002.

Mr. Elkin is a long time member of the Executive Committee of the local Washington D.C. Chapter of the National Kidney Foundation and is currently the Chairman for 2005-2006.

Prior to Novartis, Mr. Elkin was a high school biology teacher and coach, and was recognized with a state teacher's award for biology curriculum development. He graduated with a B.S. degree in biology from Iowa State University.