MESA, AZ — February 20, 2026 — INNOVATION PARTNERS, LLC today announced the next chapter in the organization’s strategic growth and leadership evolution, marked by the promotion of Susan Weidner to Chief Strategy Officer and the transition of Dave Melin from CEO to Chairman. These leadership developments, along with recent team expansion across Medical Affairs and Market Access, underscore Innovation Partners’ continued commitment to delivering exceptional value and service to its clients.
As Innovation Partners continues to build upon its deep industry experience and influential network across oncology, hematology, and rare disease markets, Susan Weidner’s elevation to Chief Strategy Officer reflects her outstanding contributions and visionary approach to shaping strategy that drives access and impact for clients. In her new role, Ms. Weidner will lead the development of integrated solutions that align client goals with evolving market dynamics, further strengthening Innovation Partners’ capacity to deliver differentiated insights and outcomes.
“We are entering a new era of strategic opportunity for Innovation Partners,” said Dave Melin, now Chairman. “Susan’s strategic leadership, deep market access expertise, and commitment to client success position us to continue elevating the way we partner with clients. Our expanded leadership and team capabilities will sharpen our focus on delivering insight-driven, impactful results for the organizations we serve.”
In his new role as Chairman, Dave Melin will focus on long-term vision while providing leadership support for core initiatives that align with Innovation Partners’ mission of advancing access to innovation for patients worldwide. With more than 25 years of industry experience, Mr. Melin founded the organization with a mission to bridge market complexities and accelerate access to transformative therapies.
In addition to these leadership milestones, Innovation Partners has welcomed a number of experienced consultants to support the growing needs of its clients. The organization has onboarded ten new consultants over the past 6 months across Medical Affairs and Market Access, bringing expanded expertise to enhance service delivery across critical client priorities.
“Our continued growth — both in leadership and team talent — reflects our commitment to delivering a broader set of capabilities that meet the evolving needs of our clients,” said Ms. Weidner. “We are thrilled to welcome our new colleagues and look forward to the innovative perspectives and strategic depth they bring to our work.”
Innovation Partners remains focused on supporting clients across the product life cycle — from early development through commercialization and market integration — with tailored strategies in Medical Affairs, Market and Payer Access, and Market Research.
About Innovation Partners
Innovation Partners, LLC (IP) is a high-touch biomedical consulting firm specializing in oncology, hematology, and rare diseases. IP partners with U.S. and global biopharmaceutical, medical device, and diagnostic manufacturers to advance patient access to innovative therapies across the full product development continuum.
IP’s mission is to inquire, illuminate, and inform healthcare access at every stage of development—ultimately aiming to make lives better.
What differentiates IP is its cross-functional approach, integrating medical affairs, market access, and research expertise to deliver tailored, evidence-driven solutions. This comprehensive model enables IP to act as a true strategic partner, providing actionable insights that support brand development, launch, and long-term access strategies in complex specialty markets.
Founded in 2011, Innovation Partners has collaborated with more than 85 clients, supporting nearly 100 brand development and launch initiatives globally.
Learn more at https://innovationpartners.org/
Contact:
Kimberly Drager
Executive Director, Business Development
info@innovationpartners.org