Board Officers

Chairman: Francois Nader, M.D.

NPS Pharmaceuticals, Inc., President and Chief Executive Officer

Dr. Francois Nader has been appointed President, Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of NPS Pharmaceuticals since 2008. During his tenure, Dr. Nader transformed NPS into a leading biotechnology company focused on treatments for patients with rare disorders in gastroenterology and endocrinology. NPS’ lead product, Gattex for Short Bowel Syndrome, was approved in Europe and the US in 2012. NPS plans to file its second product, Natpara for Hypoparathyroidism, in the US in 2013.

Immediate Past Chair: Sol J. Barer, Ph.D.

Celgene Corporation, Former Chairman

Dr. Barer is a Senior Advisor and Former Chairman of Celgene. He was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer from May 1, 2006 until June 16, 2010 and Executive Chairman subsequently until January 1, 2011 when he transitioned to his current position. Previously he was appointed President in 1993 and Chief Operating Officer in 1994 before assuming the CEO position. He also served as Senior Vice President, Science and Technology, and Vice President/ General Manager, Chiral Products, from October 1990 to October 1993, and Vice President, Technology, from September 1987 to October 1990.

President and CEO: Debbie Hart, CAE, APR

BioNJ, President and CEO

Debbie Hart, President and CEO of BioNJ, worked alongside New Jersey’s biotechnology industry leaders to establish BioNJ in 1994. BioNJ seeks to promote a business and public policy environment in New Jersey, Washington, D.C. and beyond that advances the growth and prosperity of New Jersey’s biotechnology companies. Read more »

Vice Chairman: Christopher J. Schaber, Ph.D.

Soligenix, Inc., President and Chief Executive Officer

Christopher J. Schaber, PhD has over 24 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry. Dr. Schaber has been Soligenix’s President and Chief Executive Officer and a director since August 2006. Read more »

Secretary: Richard Kender

Merck & Co., Inc., Senior Vice President, Business Development & Corporate Licensing

Rich Kender is responsible for Corporate Licensing, Corporate Business Development, US Human Health Business Development, Merck Vaccines & Infectious Diseases Business Development, Merck BioVentures Business Development, Global Competitive Intelligence, Financial Evaluation & Analysis, and Merck Capital Ventures. He is a member of the Finance Senior Leadership Team.

Treasurer: Elizabeth Posillico, Ph.D.

Elusys Therapeutics, Inc., President and Chief Executive Officer

Elizabeth has 20 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry and has held senior positions in general management, business development, marketing and operations. She joined Elusys in 2002 as Vice President of Business Development and since then was promoted to Sr. Vice President of Operations and then President and CEO in January, 2005. Read more »