John C. Reed, M.D., Ph.D.
Board of Governors
Executive Vice President, Pharmaceuticals, R&D, Johnson & Johnson
As Executive Vice President, Pharmaceuticals, R&D and Johnson & Johnson (J&J) Executive Committee member, John believes there is no limit to what science can do to advance medicine and restore health. His mission is to focus the best research and development teams in the world at the intersection of unmet medical need and innovation to change the trajectory of human health. With a focus on reimagining how life-saving medicines and vaccines are discovered, developed and delivered, his team works across a wide range of biological pathways and therapeutic areas, including: oncology, immunology, neuroscience, cardiovascular diseases, pulmonary hypertension, and retinal disorders.
A biomedical research leader with a distinguished career across nonprofit, academia, and industry, John is strongly committed to advancing transformational medicines. He has a passion for patient care, deep scientific expertise, and success in leading large organizations to great results. He is most proud of championing many medicines that have brought significant relief to patients and their families. Prior to joining Johnson & Johnson in April 2023, John held executive leadership positions at Sanofi and Roche, serving on their respective executive committees. He created a culture that responded to the urgent needs of patients with a strong record of talent development and building high performing teams. In 10 years of combined industry leadership, John led global R&D organizations that invented and/or developed 16 new medicines, including the world’s first advanced therapeutics for six diseases. Under his leadership, teams also delivered innovative drug mechanisms, including the world’s first oral mRNA-splicing regulator (approved for Spinal Muscular Atrophy) and several innovative biological medicines, including the first bispecific antibody approved for ophthalmology.
Previously, John served as CEO of Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute (now Sanford Burnham Prebys) where he established multiple therapeutic area-aligned research centers and platform technology centers. He began his career as a faculty member at the University of Pennsylvania and has since served on the editorial boards of multiple research journals, co-founded five biotechnology companies, and served on the board of directors for five public companies.
John has authored more than 900 research publications and holds more than 130 patents. He was recognized among the top 10 most cited researchers in life sciences and medicine and still ranks among the world’s top 100 most highly cited scientists. He is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the recipient of many honors and awards.
John holds a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from the University of Virginia, Charlottesville and an M.D. and Ph.D. (Immunology) from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. He trained in Molecular Biology at the Wistar Institute and in Clinical Pathology & Laboratory Medicine at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, where he also co-directed the hospital’s molecular diagnostics laboratory.