William Blair Adds Senior Scientific Affairs Banker to Biopharma Team

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--William Blair announced today the continued expansion of the firm’s Biopharma investment banking team with the addition of Emanuela Branchetti, Ph.D., as managing director, head of scientific affairs. Based in New York, Dr. Branchetti will leverage her deep expertise and connections in the investing and science communities to support the execution of sophisticated advisory services for all-stage companies and financial sponsors focused on the complex biopharma sector.

“Emanuela broadens our ability to offer best-in-class advice, expands our connection to sector-specific financial sponsors, and significantly deepens our scientific knowledge base,” said Michael Allwin, managing director and head of Biopharma investment banking at William Blair. “With deep scientific expertise in such areas as academic, clinical, and translational research, as well as drug development, intellectual property rights, and regulatory filings, Emanuela is a respected, innovative advisor with a strong and strategic presence across the biopharma landscape.”

Dr. Branchetti joins from Truist Securities, where she was managing director and head of scientific affairs. She brings more than 20 years of experience in biopharma and has partnered with public and private biopharma companies, advising on capital raises, deal formation and execution, market positioning, M&A transactions, IPOs, and equity and equity-linked transactions. She previously served in research and faculty roles at the University of Pennsylvania and as an equity research analyst at H.C. Wainwright. She received her M.S. in medical biotechnology and Ph.D. in molecular medicine from the University of Milan.

“William Blair’s Biopharma investment banking team offers a holistic suite of capital solutions, differentiated by globally recognized technical expertise and a deep understanding of the industry,” Dr. Branchetti said. “I am excited to build on the firm’s existing relationships, technical knowledge, and unwavering commitment to client service to accelerate our momentum and support biopharma companies and investors around the globe.”

Dr. Branchetti continues the 2026 hiring push for William Blair’s investment banking team, with senior bankers added across sectors, products, and geographies, including the acquisition of Inner Circle Sports to launch a sports, media, and entertainment capability.

About William Blair Investment Banking

William Blair’s investment banking group enables corporations, financial sponsors, and owner/entrepreneurs around the world to achieve their growth, liquidity, and financing objectives. Drawing on the collective intellectual capital and deep sector expertise of a global team that reaches over 30 cities on four continents, the investment banking group brings a rigorous and innovative approach to corporate board advisory projects, mergers and acquisitions, and equity and debt financing. From July 2021 through June 2026, the team advised on more than $880 billion in completed transaction volume.

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 alliances with Allier Capital, BDA Partners, and Poalim Equity Ltd.