Estrella began her ‘scientific odyssey’ at the University of Navarra, Spain, where she gained a PhD in Genetic Toxicology. Following this, Estrella held at post-doctoral position at ICI (now Astra Zeneca) in Macclesfield, UK. At ICI Estrella’s focus was on novel anti-tumor drugs in the pre-clinical phase. Subsequently Estrella returned to Spain where she joined Almirall as a Clinical Research Scientist. Since then, Estrella has amassed a 29 year career with the company- taking on roles of increasing demand and responsibility, including Head of Allergy Therapeutic Area and Head of Clinical Development Operations- to the role she holds today.
Estrella leads her group and is responsible for clinical trials worldwide. Since Almirall do not have affiliates fully involved in clinical development, the company externalizes all clinical trials, with a strategic focus on keeping only core competencies- particularly for pivotal studies- in-house. In this capacity Estrella has worked with dozens of CROs and service providers managing Phase I to Phase IV clinical trials of all sizes, from small single centre studies to global programs involving hundreds of sites and thousands of patients. Her responsibility is covering the selecting, negotiation, contracting, managing and final evaluation of the CROs responsible for the worldwide clinical development, in order to deliver on the agreed timelines, quality and cost.
She has been responsible for ensuring Clinical Development for Aclidinium bromide in COPD was performed worldwide from the operational point of view on time, budget and quality, among other development from Almirall.
Now fully focus on Dermatology development, managing trials worldwide mainly in Psoriasis, Acné, Atopic Dermatitis, Actinic Keratosis, among other indications.