Azmi Nabulsi, M.D., M.P.H

Dr. Azmi Nabulsi, a physician and public health professional, is a seasoned global corporate executive with a successful track record in pharmaceutical research and development. He is currently Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) at Frazier Healthcare Partners in Palo Alto. This followed a 14-year career at Takeda Pharmaceuticals, marked by industry-leading innovations and transformational accomplishments.

At Takeda, Azmi served as both the deputy chief medical and scientific officer of Company Limited, one of the 20 largest pharmaceutical companies in the world, and R&D head of strategic and professional affairs. In these roles, he oversaw a $3 billion global portfolio and managed more than 1,000 people and a budget of $450 million.

He was responsible for bringing the majority of Takeda’s 21 new drugs in multiple therapeutic areas and countries to market from 2005 to 2015, and led the creation of the first global Biotechnology Innovation Park in Japan.

Azmi has led or directed partnerships and alliances in oncology, immunology, and cardiovascular medicine and metabolism. His impact extends to investor relations, regulatory affairs, crisis management, and stakeholder relations, including patient advocacy.

From 2009 to 2013, he played a key role in transforming Takeda’s organization and culture following the acquisitions of Millenium, Nycomed, and TAP. From 2006 to 2009, he worked in Japan as the company’s general manager of strategic development, where he oversaw global development and regulatory strategy for all Takeda products, as well as portfolio strategy and R&D alliance management. He was also instrumental in the globalization efforts of Takeda R&D. From 2004 to 2006, he held leadership positions in R&D Operations.

Azmi currently sits on the board of the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research. He previously served as a board member for the Illinois Science and Technology Coalition, iBio Institute, and the Rosalind Franklin School of Medicine and Science College of Pharmacy. He has also held academic appointments in epidemiology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of Minnesota.

Azmi received his M.D. from Ain-Shams University, Cairo, Egypt, and an M.P.H. from the University of Minnesota. His professional affiliations include the Chief Medical Officers Executive Summit & Roundtable; International Society of Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR); American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO); and the American Heart Association (AHA). He is the author of, or cited in, more than 25 scientific publications.