Charles Wells

Charles Wells is currently the Head of Therapeutics Development at the Bill & Melinda Gates Medical Research Institute, where they lead the development of a diverse portfolio of small molecules and biologics for the treatment and prevention of diseases primarily affecting low-and-middle-income countries. Charles manages multiple cross-functional teams, as well as partnerships with industry, academia, non-profit, and government organizations. Charles also works to build organizational capacity and guides clinical and translational research strategies.

Prior to their current role, Charles was the Executive Vice President and Head of Development - Infectious Diseases at Evotec. In this position, they led a global team focused on transitioning anti-infective assets from pre-clinical to early clinical development for the treatment of bacterial, viral, and parasitic diseases. Charles also formed strategic partnerships to support the development of infectious diseases assets for unmet medical needs in global health.

Before joining Evotec, Charles served as the Associate Vice President and Head of Development, Infectious Diseases Therapeutic Area at Sanofi. Charles led the development of therapies for infectious diseases for three years.

In addition, Charles has held positions at the AMR Industry Alliance, The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Companies (U.S.), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, PathoGenesis Corporation, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

At the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Charles worked as the Chief of the International Research and Programs Branch in the Division of Tuberculosis Elimination. Charles supervised a large team and managed funding for diverse research projects.

Charles began their career at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as an Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer, where they focused on investigating drug-resistant tuberculosis and the impact of HIV and global migration on the tuberculosis pandemic.

Charles Wells started their education in 1983 at North Carolina State University, where they obtained a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Chemical Engineering in 1987. Following that, they attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill from 1987 to 1992, where they earned a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree in Medicine. After completing their medical education, they pursued further training at Emory University from 1992 to 1998. During this time, they completed an Internal Medicine Residency and an Infectious Diseases Clinical Fellowship.