Jeffrey Leiden

Dr. Leiden is the Executive Chairman of Vertex Pharmaceuticals. He received his B.A., M.D. and Ph.D. degrees with honors from the University of Chicago. He is a physician and scientist who, for the last 40 years, has dedicated his career to improving the lives of people with serious diseases. His experience spans all aspects of the biotech and pharmaceutical industries.

He began his career in academia as a molecular biologist and practicing cardiologist. From 1987 to 2000, Dr. Leiden held several academic and hospital appointments, including roles as Chief of Cardiology, the Rawson Professor of Medicine and Pathology, and an Attending Physician at the University of Chicago; the Elkan R. Blout Professor of Biological Sciences at the Harvard School of Public Health; and Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Leiden was named a Crain’s Chicago Business 40 Under 40 in 1994, and served as a member of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Board of Scientific Counselors from 1994 to 1999. During his academic career, he was also involved in starting several biotechnology companies including Vical and Cardiogene.