Jeffrey Leiden, M.D., Ph.D. is an award-winning physician-scientist, entrepreneur, advisor and academic, who serves as Executive Chairman at Vertex Pharmaceuticals.
He spent eight years as Chairman, President and CEO of Vertex and helped pioneer the first medicines in history to treat the underlying cause of cystic fibrosis. Dr. Leiden has been involved with Vertex for over a decade, having first served as a board member. His leadership has been defined by innovation and a commitment to developing transformative medicines. He is passionate about giving back to the community and making STEM education accessible to underrepresented students and has initiated many programs through Vertex and public-private partnerships to support this.
Previously, Dr. Leiden was a Managing Director of Clarus Ventures, a venture capital firm focused on life sciences investments. He also served as President, COO and CSO at Abbott Laboratories, where he oversaw the company’s pharmaceutical business globally. Consistently committed to achieving life-changing strides in medicine, Dr. Leiden led the development...Jeffrey Leiden, M.D., Ph.D. is an award-winning physician-scientist, entrepreneur, advisor and academic, who serves as Executive Chairman at Vertex Pharmaceuticals.
He spent eight years as Chairman, President and CEO of Vertex and helped pioneer the first medicines in history to treat the underlying cause of cystic fibrosis. Dr. Leiden has been involved with Vertex for over a decade, having first served as a board member. His leadership has been defined by innovation and a commitment to developing transformative medicines. He is passionate about giving back to the community and making STEM education accessible to underrepresented students and has initiated many programs through Vertex and public-private partnerships to support this.
Previously, Dr. Leiden was a Managing Director of Clarus Ventures, a venture capital firm focused on life sciences investments. He also served as President, COO and CSO at Abbott Laboratories, where he oversaw the company’s pharmaceutical business globally. Consistently committed to achieving life-changing strides in medicine, Dr. Leiden led the development of numerous medicines at Abbott.
Earlier in his career, Dr. Leiden was appointed as Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Elkin R. Blout Professor of Biological Sciences at the Harvard School of Public Health. In addition to his academic appointments, he worked as a physician, having been appointed as Chief of Cardiology at The University of Chicago Medical Center, where he was also the Rawson Professor of Medicine and Pathology and an Attending Physician. During this time, he co-founded several biotechnology companies including Vical and Cardiogene.
Dr. Leiden has held many board positions throughout his career and currently serves as Chairman at Casana, a health monitoring platform, as well as Tmunity Therapeutics, a biotherapeutics company.
Dr. Leiden has been presented with numerous awards, including the Forbes Lifetime Achievement Award.READ MOREVIEW LESS
Vertex is a leading biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation to create transformative medicines. Jeffrey Leiden has served as the Chairman since 2012.
Founded in 1861, The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is one of the most prestigious and highly ranked academic institutions in the world. MIT has been at the forefront of the development of modern technology and science and has spurred innovation and advancement on a global scale.
Before his appointment as Executive Chairman, Dr. Leiden led as Chairman, President and CEO.
Clarus Funds
Managing Director
2006
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2011
Boston, MA, USA
Clarus Funds is a venture capital and private equity firm dedicated to making investments into life sciences, including biotechnology, medical device and diagnostic spaces.
President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Scientific Officer
2000
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2006
Illinois City, IL, USA
Abbott is an international healthcare company committed to helping people all around the world enjoy life at every stage through innovative, ground-breaking technologies. Dr. Leiden pioneered the development of HUMIRA and KALETRA during his time at the company.
During his time as Professor of Medicine at the Harvard Medical School, Dr. Leiden was also appointed the Elkin R. Blout Professor of Biological Sciences at the Harvard School of Public Health.
Jeffrey Leiden led as Chief of Cardiology and served as Rawson Professor of Medicine and Pathology. He was also an Attending Physician at the University of Chicago Medical Center where over 40 cardiologists and 50 scientists reported to him as Director of the Cardiovascular Research Institute.
Assistant/Associate Investigator and Attending Physician
1987
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1992
Ann Arbor, MI, USA
While working as Assistant/Associate Investigator and Attending Physician at Howard Hughes Medical Institute at the University of Michigan, Dr. Leiden was responsible for overseeing a research lab that focused on exploring the molecular genetics of heart and blood development as well as investigating gene therapy.
Odyssey Therapeutics is a biotech company advancing precision medicines for inflammatory diseases and cancer. Leveraging cutting-edge drug discovery, they target tough challenges in immunology and oncology, combining expert knowledge to accelerate therapies that meet urgent medical needs and transform patient care.
Tmunity Therapeutics Incorporated is a distinguished biotherapeutics company that is committed to delivering the best in innovation and development of next-generation T cell immunotherapy.
The Massachusetts Competitive Partnership serves as a leading public policy group . As a nonprofit and non-partisan organization, MACP encourages job growth and competition across the region. The group is led by executives and some of Massachusetts' largest businesses.
The Massachusetts Digital Healthcare Council was established by Governor Charlie Baker as a platform for industry experts to consult him on the digital health industry as part of a three-year plan to achieve growth in the digital health space in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts Governor's STEM Advisory Council
Co-Chair
Boston, MA, USA
Massachusetts Governor's STEM Advisory Council was created to increase the availability of STEM education. Its members include industry experts from government, businesses and nonprofits, among others.
The Boston Symphony Orchestra was established in 1881 making it second-oldest orchestra in the US. Most concerts are performed at Boston's Symphony Hall and at Tanglewood.
Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, known as MassMutual, offers life insurance and protection products, retirement and investment services to help individuals and families meet their financial goals.
Before his appointment as Chairman, President, CEO and eventually Executive Chairman of Vertex, Jeffrey Leiden served on the board of the company from 2009 to 2012.
Takeda Oncology, a subsidiary of Takeda Pharmaceutical, is a biopharmaceutical company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts that focuses on research in oncology.
In addition to his responsibility as President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Scientific Officer at Abbott Laboratories, Dr. Leiden also served on the board.
TAP Pharmaceuticals
Director
Deerfield, IL, USA
TAP Pharmaceuticals was established 1977 as a joint venture between Abbott Laboratories and Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. and was eventually dissolved in 2008.
Dr. Leiden is honored with the Lifetime Achievement in BioPharma Award for his exceptional contribution and lifetime achievements in biopharma during the Forbes Healthcare Summit. He talks to Steve Forbes, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of the publication, who presents him with the award.
Dr. Leiden accepts his Henri A. Termeer Innovative Leadership Award in recognition of his major contribution to the growth and success of biotechnology in Massachusetts.
Jeffrey Leiden talks about the company's commitment to research, patients and improving the lives of those facing serious illnesses.
Dr. Jeffrey Leiden and Melodie Knowlton Discuss Vertex’s Commitment to STEM Education and Its Partnership with the Museum of Science
Featured
Apr 2019
Boston, MA, USA
Jeffrey Leiden and Melodie Knowlton talk about inspiring the youth in their community to learn more about science and the importance of encouraging them to explore and expand their STEM education.
As a leader in the field, Dr. Leiden joined the Forbes 2018 Healthcare Summit to discuss breakthroughs discoveries in biotech and finding underlying causes of childhood diseases such as cystic fibrosis.
A leader in the region and beyond, Dr. Leiden was recognized for his achievements at Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Meeting by being named a member of the Academy of Distinguished Bostonians in 2018.
In an article for the Milken Institute, Jeffrey Leiden discusses Vertex's response to COVID-19 as a company and how the company has come together to aid the greater global community during the crisis.
The National Academy of Medicine is a private, nonprofit institution that provides objective advice on issues related to science, technology, and health.
The American Society for Clinical Investigation supports the actions and efforts of scientists and physicians to innovate the medicine and improve the population's health.
The Association of American Physicians consists of America’s leading physician-scientists who contribute significantly to the medial field through pioneering research and innovative approaches in medicine and health.
Steve Forbes, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of Forbes, honored Dr. Leiden with the Lifetime Achievement in BioPharma Award for his exceptional contribution and lifetime achievements in biopharma.
In recognition of his leadership and innovative work, Dr. Leiden was listed as one of the 100 Most Influential People in Boston by Boston Magazine in 2018 and 2020.
Jeffrey Leiden was named one of America’s Most Innovative Leaders by Forbes for his leadership in 2019. At the time, he was serving as Chairman, President and CEO of the company.
Vertex was named a Star of STEM by the Museum of Science in Boston to acknowledge the company's work in equipping the youth to become the next generation of scientific leaders.
In recognition of his major contribution to the growth and success of biotechnology in Massachusetts, Jeffrey Leiden was awarded the Henri A. Termeer Innovative Leadership Award by the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council.
Jeffrey Leiden was recognized by the Biomedical Science Careers Program and presented with the Hope Award for his leadership in expanding STEM opportunities to more students in the community.
In 2018 Jeffrey Leiden was honored with the prestigious New Englander of the Year award for his excellent contribution in the medical field and his positive impact on the economy and quality of life in the New England region.
Dr. Leiden was presented with the STEM Leader of the Year Award for his leadership and the company’s exceptional commitment to promoting education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Service to Science Pharmaceutical Industry Leadership Award
2018
Philadelphia, PA, USA
NDRI has recognized Dr. Leiden with their Service to Science Pharmaceutical Industry Leadership Award for Vertex’s pioneering work to discover the first medicines to treat the underlying cause of cystic fibrosis.
Dr. Leiden was honored with the IMPACT Award by the New England Venture Capital Association in 2017 for his significant contributions to healthcare and the innovation ecosystem.
Jeffrey Leiden was awarded the Uncork the Cure Award by the Massachusetts Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for his dedication and commitment to research into a cure for cystic fibrosis.
Dr. Leiden was presented with The Most Valuable Player Award to acknowledge his great contribution to the Boomer Esiason Foundation and the cystic fibrosis community.
Cardiogene was a gene therapy company that Dr. Leiden established along with Drs Elizabeth and Gary Nabel. It has subsequently been acquired by Boston Scientific.
Vical
Co-Founder
San Diego, CA, USA
Vical is a biopharmaceutical company that is dedicated to the developing innovative products that work towards the prevention of chronic and life-threatening diseases.
The Board of Fellows at Harvard Medical School advise the Dean and administration and support the institution with its vision to alleviate human suffering caused by disease.
The American Academy of Arts and Sciences is an independent, multi-disciplinary, non-partisan research center which develops and promotes knowledge through projects and publications.
