William Blair Accelerates Investment in Biotech Equity Research and Equities Platform

CHICAGO & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--William Blair today announced a strategic investment in its equities platform, expanding resources across biotech equity research and institutional sales and trading to support long-term client demand driven by sustained innovation and increasingly complex institutional strategies.

Alethia Young Joins Biotech Equity Research, Expanding Biotech Coverage

Alethia Young has joined William Blair’s Biotech Equity Research team, reflecting the firm’s strategic investment in biotech research as a core area of focus.

Alethia brings 25 years of experience across the biotechnology and healthcare industry, including roles as a sell-side analyst, chief financial officer, and independent board member. Before joining William Blair, she served as chief financial officer of Bicycle Therapeutics. Earlier in her career, Alethia was a sell-side equity research analyst at Cantor Fitzgerald, Credit Suisse, and Deutsche Bank. She holds a B.A. in economics from Duke University.

“Biotech represents a significant and growing area of investment for our equity research platform,” said John Kreger, director of equity research at William Blair. “Alethia’s depth of industry experience and analytical perspective is a deliberate step as we continue to scale our coverage and invest behind areas where our clients value rigorous, differentiated analysis.”

Continued Investment in Equities Through Senior Sales and Trading Leadership

William Blair also announced the addition of Cody McGrath as managing director and head of multi‑strategy sales. Cody’s hire reflects the firm’s continued investment in its equities platform, supporting increasingly sophisticated institutional client strategies across sales and trading.

Cody joins William Blair from Seaport Research Partners, where he played a key role in expanding and scaling the firm’s multi‑strategy client business. Before Seaport, he spent nearly 14 years at Stephens and has also held roles at SMBC Nikko and J.P. Morgan.

“Across equities, we continue to invest intentionally in areas where our clients value depth, experience, and long‑term partnership,” said Scott McLaughlin, head of equities at William Blair. “Strengthening our biotech research platform while adding senior leadership in multi‑strategy sales reflects our broader commitment to building a fully resourced equities franchise.”

About William Blair

William Blair is the premier global partnership with expertise in investment banking, investment management, and private wealth management. We provide advisory services, strategies, and solutions to meet our clients’ evolving needs. As an independent and employee-owned firm, together with our strategic partners, we operate in more than 30 offices worldwide.*

*Includes strategic partnerships with Allier Capital, BDA Partners, and Poalim Equity.