Everyone has the patients in mind.
Maaike
Associate Director Quality Systems
When Maaike Gons joined Merus, she brought with her years of experience working at major healthcare and pharmaceutical companies. She loves to apply her knowledge to our growing company. ‘We are getting closer and closer to our goal. You can really feel it.’
New processes
After a year, Maaike was promoted to her current role as Associate Director Quality Systems. The department of Quality Assurance (QA) now consists of three pillars: ‘QA for GCP (Good Clinical Practice) for quality oversight of our clinical trials. Quality Systems, to make sure we meet the highest standards in our business processes. And Quality Operations, for quality oversight of our manufacturers and release of the product.’
‘It is also nice that we collaborate with different departments, like Clinical, CMC and IT. Our digital roadmap is key for a robust Quality System. When I joined the company, all quality documentation and training records were still paper-based; everything is digital now. I’m proud of that accomplishment. It has improved efficiency, consistency and overall compliance for document management and training for all our teams.’
Getting closer
‘Merus pays great attention to your personal growth,’ Maaike says. ‘There are many opportunities to discuss both your work and development goals. And a lot of effort is made to keep each other informed and to exchange knowledge. I think that is one of the strengths of our organization.’
‘All our work is dedicated to our mission of closing in on cancer. We are getting closer and closer to our goal. You can really feel that at Merus. Everyone has the patients in mind. There is a strong spirit, a shared drive to further develop our clinical candidates.’
Fast-forward
Maaike spent several years in France working for large healthcare companies. ‘In 2021, I decided to move back to The Netherlands. That’s when I came across this opportunity at Merus. They were looking for someone experienced in Quality Systems to enhance existing processes and develop new ones. Another element was to set up ongoing training to drive Quality Culture, in such a way that everything would comply with European and American regulations. That sparked my interest.’
‘After working at large pharmaceutical companies, I thought it would be nice to join a smaller organization,’ Maaike says. ‘Merus appealed to me as it was a place where you can provide a lot of input for improvement and drive new initiatives.’
‘Merus is a relatively small company, so you see the direct impact of your work. Decisions are taken rapidly. You can really press fast-forward, which is great because there’s a lot to be done. The more Merus grows, the more we need our Quality System. Everyone has to be able to follow the same processes and deliver the same high quality for the benefit of our potential future products and patients.’
“Step by step, we are closing in on cancer.”
Interested in joining us on our mission?
Have a look at our vacancies.
When Maaike Gons joined Merus, she brought with her years of experience working at major healthcare and pharmaceutical companies. She loves to apply her knowledge to our growing company. ‘We are getting closer and closer to our goal. You can really feel it.’
Fast-forward
Maaike spent several years in France working for large healthcare companies. ‘In 2021, I decided to move back to The Netherlands. That’s when I came across this opportunity at Merus. They were looking for someone experienced in Quality Systems to enhance existing processes and develop new ones. Another element was to set up ongoing training to drive Quality Culture, in such a way that everything would comply with European and American regulations. That sparked my interest.’
‘After working at large pharmaceutical companies, I thought it would be nice to join a smaller organization,’ Maaike says. ‘Merus appealed to me as it was a place where you can provide a lot of input for improvement and drive new initiatives.’
‘Merus is a relatively small company, so you see the direct impact of your work. Decisions are taken rapidly. You can really press fast-forward, which is great because there’s a lot to be done. The more Merus grows, the more we need our Quality System. Everyone has to be able to follow the same processes and deliver the same high quality for the benefit of our potential future products and patients.’
“Step by step, we are closing in on cancer.”
Interested in joining us on our mission?
Have a look at our vacancies.
New processes
After a year, Maaike was promoted to her current role as Associate Director Quality Systems. The department of Quality Assurance (QA) now consists of three pillars: ‘QA for GCP (Good Clinical Practice) for quality oversight of our clinical trials. Quality Systems, to make sure we meet the highest standards in our business processes. And Quality Operations, for quality oversight of our manufacturers and release of the product.’
‘It is also nice that we collaborate with different departments, like Clinical, CMC and IT. Our digital roadmap is key for a robust Quality System. When I joined the company, all quality documentation and training records were still paper-based; everything is digital now. I’m proud of that accomplishment. It has improved efficiency, consistency and overall compliance for document management and training for all our teams.’
Getting closer
‘Merus pays great attention to your personal growth,’ Maaike says. ‘There are many opportunities to discuss both your work and development goals. And a lot of effort is made to keep each other informed and to exchange knowledge. I think that is one of the strengths of our organization.’
‘All our work is dedicated to our mission of closing in on cancer. We are getting closer and closer to our goal. You can really feel that at Merus. Everyone has the patients in mind. There is a strong spirit, a shared drive to further develop our clinical candidates.’