She joins us from Johnson & Johnson, where she held numerous senior leadership roles since 2014—most recently, Vice President of External Innovation and Global Leader for Regulatory Science.
She has a passion for bringing innovation to patients. At J&J, she led 900 employees charting evidence generation and regulatory strategy across J&J’s medical device companies, specializing in using cutting-edge tools and innovative methods to bring new breakthroughs to patients.
She also worked at FDA. From 2010-2014, she held a scientific leadership role at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health, where she devised strategies to incorporate the patient perspective into the decision-making process and identified opportunities for patients to collaborate with innovators.
And she knows Washington. She served on the Obama administration’s Science Transition Team, and previously, led health and science policy on Capitol Hill for Sen. Joe Lieberman, where she drafted legislation to protect the country from biological attacks.
And she’s going to fight for science and the industry: “I want scientists, clinicians, and innovators to hold their heads high knowing they are addressing the most important issues we face today. BIO represents these everyday heroes and sheroes, and I couldn’t be prouder for this opportunity to support their work and shout their message from the rooftop,” she says. (Watch her welcome message here!)
What they’re saying: “The biotechnology industry is humanity’s great hope to speed medical breakthroughs to patients in record time to treat and prevent COVID-19 disease. With her exemplary scientific background, proven federal health policy leadership and track record of driving scientific progress to benefit patients, Michelle is the right person at the right time to lead BIO and the biotech sector into a new future,” said BIO Chairman Dr. Jeremy Levin, CEO of Ovid Therapeutics.
Last but certainly not least, we want to give a shoutout to former U.S. Rep. Jim Greenwood, who has led our organization since 2005. Under his leadership, BIO tripled in size, and in recent months, launched the Coronavirus Collaboration Initiative, the industry’s unprecedented effort to share resources and capabilities to speed the development and delivery of COVID-19 diagnostics, therapeutics, and, ultimately, a vaccine. After June 1, he is committed to work with Michelle in a strategic advisory role.
Visit www.bio.org/DrMichelle to learn more and submit any suggestions you might have for Dr. McMurry-Heath.
Read more about her in this profile in STAT.
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