Douglas Williams will this week leave Biogen for a new role as CEO of an as-yet unnamed biotech start-up that will focus on cancer diagnostics and therapies.
Williams had led Biogen‘s R&D since 2011 as executive vice president of research and development, prior to which his industry roles included a six year stint at Seattle-based biotech Zymogenetics (now part of BMS), where he rose to be its CEO.
He said: “While I am sad to leave Biogen I am excited about the opportunity to follow a real passion of mine. I am proud of the progress of the company’s R&D organisation and am pleased that it will be in very capable hands.”
Williams will be replaced by chief medical officer Alfred Sandrock and chief scientific officer Spyros Artavanis-Tsakonas, who will be handed joint responsibility for Biogen Research and Development.
Biogen’s CEO George Scangos said: “All of us at Biogen appreciate Doug’s contributions to the rapid development of our Research and Development organisation.
“We are fortunate to have Al Sandrock and Spyros Artavanis-Tsakonas to lead the work to which Biogen is dedicated.”