William M. Burns

William M. Burns has been a member of HCRx’s SAB since 2020. HCRx utilizes Mr. Burns’ extensive international commercial, business development, and operational experience in the pharmaceutical industry to evaluate potential investment opportunities, particularly in Europe. Mr. Burns has more than 40 years of industry experience, including 23 years at Roche Pharmaceuticals, culminating in his tenure as a chief executive officer from 2001 to 2009. During his time with Roche, Mr. Burns had significant involvement in the privatization of Genentech, the integration of Boehringer Mannheim, and the negotiations that resulted in Roche becoming a majority owner of Chugai in Japan. Over the past decade, Mr. Burns has held numerous non-executive board positions including F. Hoffmann La Roche, Chugai Pharmaceuticals, Genentech, Shire PLC, and Biotie. Mr. Burns retired from the board of Wellcome Trust in 2020 and continues as a trustee of the Institute of Cancer Research, London. Mr. Burns currently serves as the non-executive chairman of the board of directors for both Molecular Partners and Vestergaard Holding, and the non-executive vice chairman of Mesoblast. Mr. Burns is a member of the Novo Holdings Advisory Group and a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Center for Integrated Oncology of the University of Cologne/Bonn. Mr. Burns holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow.