CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Illinois Biotechnology Industry Organization (iBIO) today announced the election of new additions to its Board of Directors. The new Board members, who include senior executives and specialists from highly-recognized organizations, add depth and prestige to an already-strong lineup of medical, agricultural, and industrial biotech representation.
Joining iBIO’s Board are Walt Johnston and David Flowers.
Walt Johnston is Vice President, US Marketing and Strategic New Product Planning for Astellas Pharma US, Inc., a global research-based pharmaceutical company committed to serving unmet medical needs in Oncology, Cardiology, Immunology, Infectious Diseases, Urology and Neuroscience.
Walt has over 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry. He leads marketing activities and programs across several therapeutic areas of the Astellas US business to ensure superior commercial performance, with primary responsibility for Urology, Immunology, Cardiovascular and Anti-Infective markets. Walt also serves as a member of the Astellas Portfolio Strategic Executive Committee.
“I am excited to join iBIO’s board during a period of unprecedented innovation and opportunity across the life sciences,” said Johnston. “I am looking forward to working with iBIO’s board members and staff to contribute to the future progress of the organization and the industry.”
“iBIO is fortunate to have members of Walt Johnston and David Flowers caliber join our board,” said Warren Ribley, iBIO President & CEO, “The leadership and experience that Walt and David bring to our board will be a great benefit to our organization and community.”
David Flowers is a Director, Life Sciences Industry, for Deloitte Services LP. The subsidiaries of Deloitte LLP provide industry-leading audit, consulting, tax and advisory services to many of the world’s most admired brands, including 80 percent of the Fortune 500.
Flowers has more than 26 years of experience serving multi-national and global companies, including 16 years dedicated to the Life Sciences sector. Additionally, he is on the leadership team contributing to the development of Deloitte’s long-range global and Chicago marketplace strategies for the Life Science sector.
“Deloitte and iBIO have a strong collaborative history,” said Flowers. “Joining iBIO’s board provides me with the opportunity to continue to expand Deloitte’s contribution to the Illinois life sciences community.”
About the Illinois Biotechnology Industry Organization
iBIO’s mission is to make Illinois and the surrounding Midwest one of the world’s top life sciences centers: a great place to do business and a great place to grow technology ventures.
iBIO, working on its own and through valued partners
- Promotes sound public policy at the local, state and federal levels;
- Improves our region’s ability to create, attract and retain businesses
- Orchestrates industry involvement to help solve America’s math and science education crisis
- Builds community by providing opportunities to connect and engage with the industry
We thereby contribute to the well-being of people worldwide while creating new jobs, attracting firms to the region and generating prosperity.
iBIO’s Leadership Sponsors are AbbVie, Astellas US, Baxalta, Horizon Pharma and Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America.
