Frank Watanabe

Frank Watanabe serves as the Vice Chair and a member of the Board of Directors at the Biotechnology Innovation Organization since November 2021. Frank is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc. since November 2016, and has been the Chief Investment Officer at Watanabe Ventures LLC since 2010. Watanabe's previous roles include Board Member at Amunix Pharmaceuticals and Intelligent Delivery Systems, Inc., Chief Operating Officer at Kanan Therapeutics, and various leadership positions at KYTHERA Biopharmaceuticals and Amgen, Inc. Watanabe has extensive experience in corporate strategy and commercial development in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors, supported by an academic background with a Master’s degree in National Security Studies and a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Georgetown University.