Icons of Change International Awards 2026
Johanna Grames
Health Economist and Policy Advocate
Team Lead for International Governmental Affairs and Patient Advocacy, AOP Health
Former Researcher in Mathematical Economics and Socio-Hydrology, Technische Universität Wien
President, Club Alpbach Niederösterreich
Former Scientific Advisory Board Member, European Forum Alpbach
SDG Focus: Sustainable Development Goal 3 – Good Health and Well-Being
Young Changemaker for Rare Disease Advocacy, Equitable Healthcare Access, Evidence-Based Policy, and Patient-Centered Innovation (Austria)
Johanna Grames is a leading advocate and strategist at the forefront of rare disease policy and patient advocacy in Europe. As Team Lead for International Governmental Affairs and Patient Advocacy at AOP Health, a Vienna-based pioneer in integrated therapies for rare diseases and critical care, she works tirelessly to translate scientific innovation into equitable access to life-changing treatments for patients facing unmet medical needs.
Holding a PhD in mathematical economics from Technische Universität Wien, Johanna combines rigorous analytical expertise with deep stakeholder engagement. Her career spans interdisciplinary research collaborations across institutions in Austria, Canada, and the Netherlands, where she applied economic modeling to complex systems. Today, she bridges industry, policymakers, researchers, and patient communities to advocate for predictable, supportive ecosystems that enable small and mid-sized biotech innovators to thrive while prioritizing rare disease therapies.
A passionate champion of #Research and #Development (#R&D), Johanna drives evidence-based policy dialogues, scientific communication, and cross-border collaborations to ensure that advancements in healthcare directly enhance quality of life and reduce inequalities for those living with rare and critical conditions. Her efforts focus on influencing European health policy, including contributions to discussions around the EU Biotech Act and pharmaceutical legislation, to place rare diseases firmly on the innovation agenda and safeguard patient voices in decision-making.
Committed to promoting inclusive European communities, Johanna extends her impact through leadership in the European Forum Alpbach ecosystem. As President of Club Alpbach Niederösterreich, she empowers young talents with scholarships and programs that sustain interdisciplinary dialogue on Europe's future. Her previous roles on the Scientific Advisory Board and Forum Alpbach Network reflect a lifelong dedication to democratic values, knowledge exchange, and nurturing the next generation of leaders.
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