2 June 2025
The Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association (PPTA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Marilena Vrana to the role of Vice President, Public Affairs & EU Operations. Vrana — who has served as PPTA’s Senior Director, Lead for Public Affairs Europe since 2022 — began her new tenure on 2 June.
In this pivotal role, Vrana will be responsible for setting and implementing PPTA Europe’s government affairs strategies — from advocacy and communications to regulatory relations — to promote the Association’s mission and educate policymakers on issues affecting PPTA members and the patients who rely on plasma-derived medicinal products (PDMPs).
Vrana brings a wealth of experience in health policy, patient advocacy, and association leadership. In her career at PPTA thus far, she has successfully led advocacy efforts – in particular around the Substances of Human Origin reform – that have resulted in balanced legislative texts. Prior to PPTA, she acted as Manager for Patients and Research at the European Heart Network (EHN), where she raised the association’s profile by working with patient organisations, and drove advocacy efforts to keep cardiovascular issues top-of-mind for policymakers, regulators, and international organisations.
Prior to PPTA and EHN, Vrana spent over a decade at the European Foundation Centre (now known as Philanthropy Europe Association). There, she led projects to improve EU policymakers’ understanding of philanthropy’s impact on society, led the development of one of the Centre’s most influential networks, and brokered interactions between NGOs and EU policymakers.
“Marilena brings sharp EU policy insights and strong leadership to PPTA. Her collaborative approach has advanced key European policy goals that support continued access to lifesaving PDMPs for patients,” said PPTA President and CEO, Anita Brikman.
On starting this new role with PPTA, Vrana stated, “Every plasma-derived medicine begins with a generous donor and ends with a patient whose life depends on that generous commitment. As Europe advances policies to strengthen the security of its medicinal supply, we must keep people at the centre: expanding plasma collection while safeguarding donors, and ensuring timely, equitable access for all patients. I am honoured to work with PPTA members and our partners to help build a collaborative, future-proof ecosystem that supports individual well-being and promotes public health across Europe.”
Vrana holds an MA in Conflict and Sustainable Peace Studies from KU Leuven (Belgium) and a degree in International and European and Political Studies from the University of Macedonia (Greece).
For more information about PPTA and itsinitiatives, please visit www.pptaglobal.org. For information on future career opportunities with PPTA, follow PPTA (Europe and North America, respectively) on LinkedIn.