AusBiotech welcomes Michelle McMurry-Heath, immunologist and former FDA official, who will succeed Jim Greenwood as new CEO of Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) on 1 June 2020.
Selected for her global leadership and commitment to innovation and patients, she will lead BIO, the world’s largest biotechnology advocacy association and AusBiotech’s US-based sister organisation.
McMurry-Heath has served in numerous senior leadership roles at Johnson & Johnson since 2014. Most recently, as Vice President of External Innovation and Global Leader for Regulatory Science, she led a team of 900 employees charting the evidence generation and regulatory strategy across J&J’s medical device companies, specialising in using cutting-edge tools and innovative methods to bring new breakthroughs to patients.
McMurry-Heath, a Harvard-educated former senior FDA official, is a physician and a molecular immunologist who became the first African-American to graduate from the Duke Medical Scientist Training Program. She served as the founding director of the Aspen Institute’s Health Biomedical Science and Society Policy Program focused on broadening access to personalised medicine and bolstering international preparedness for pandemic disease threats.
Lorraine Chiroiu, CEO, AusBiotech, says, “Wholehearted congratulations on your appointment Michelle. Jim leaves us an incredible legacy, and we are excited to stand with you as you take the next steps to facilitate the growth of our sector in the US and globally.”
Jim Greenwood has been leading BIO since 2005, growing the organisation and championing the biotech industry. His unwavering commitment and pragmatic leadership has been inspirational. After handing the reins to McMurry-Heath, Greenwood will stay on in a strategic advisory role.
AusBiotech works closely with BIO – through our International Council of Biotechnology Associations to address and advance global advocacy opportunities, and through BIO’s annual congress, where we facilitate connections and consistently remain one of the top ten delegations in size. We look forward to continuing this essential and prosperous work together.