Jane Wasman

Ms. Wasman is a strategic leader with 20+ years in the biopharma industry and extensive U.S. and international experience. An adaptable executive, she has achieved success in a range of settings, from large, public multinational companies to privately held start-up companies. Her expertise includes M&A, strategic development, corporate governance, international, litigation, commercial, compliance and government affairs, as well as operational implementation. As President, International, General Counsel and Chief, Strategic Development at Acorda Therapeutics, Ms. Wasman leads long-range planning and development in addition to international expansion. In this role, she collaborates with senior leadership on commercialization, licensing/M&A strategy and implementation, investor relations, product pipeline development and government affairs activities. She also built and manages Acorda’s legal, compliance, IP and quality functions. Her department was recognized as one of four “Best Legal Departments” nationally by Corporate Counsel in 2013. Ms. Wasman played a central role in Acorda’s IPO and transition from a private, development stage entity to a public, commercial company. Additionally, she led the legal process for two key acquisitions – the $525M acquisition of Civitas Therapeutics and the first-ever acquisition of a dual stock exchange-listed Finnish company, Biotie Therapies, in a $400M transaction. She also helped build Acorda’s corporate governance/board infrastructure and works closely with the board of directors on strategic, operational and governance matters. Prior to her 13 years at Acorda, Ms. Wasman spent over eight years at Schering-Plough Corporation in various leadership positions – including Staff Vice President and Associate General Counsel as well as Staff Vice President, European Operations – Legal and litigation & regulatory roles – that supported commercial, international, regulatory, licensing/M&A and global R&D activities. She was based in Europe for three years, establishing and running the company’s European legal office.