The Hamner Institutes For Health Sciences Names Chief Business Officer

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – The Hamner Institutes for Health Sciences (www.thehamner.org), an independent, nonprofit organization that offers an open, collaborative and cross-disciplinary approach to translational biomedical research, announced that Rick Williams has joined the organization as chief business officer. As a member of the executive team, Williams will support The Hamner’s mission to collaborate with academia, the private sector and government to conduct translational research and new educational programs, both of which are designed to improve human health assessments and the development of safer medical treatments.

As chief business officer, Williams will also pilot and launch a translational medicine accelerator to create additional opportunities for universities, The Hamner, and other research institutions to transfer technologies and spin out new companies, thereby providing greater benefit to society. Working in conjunction with the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, the Council for Entrepreneurial Development, and university business schools and entrepreneurial programs, Williams will provide guidance to emerging companies as they develop their initial technology, commercialization, and funding plans.

Williams has over 25 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, holding senior-level positions at companies such Merck in West Point, Pa., Genentech in South San Francisco, Calif., Amerisource Bergen in Valley Forge, Pa. and CellzDirect in Pittsboro, N.C. Prior to joining The Hamner, he served as both volunteer and director at the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, where he helped to develop a business acceleration and technology out-licensing network to support the creation of new life-science companies from university technology-transfer programs throughout the state. Williams earned a B.A. in Speech and Hearing Science at the University of Pittsburgh in 1977, graduating summa cum laude. A University Scholar and member of Phi Beta Kappa, he also completed graduate courses at Temple University and Carnegie Mellon University.

www.thehamner.org
www.biotech.org
www.amerisourcebergen.com
www.merck.com
www.gene.com
www.cellzdirect.com

News Facts:

• Rick Williams has joined The Hamner Institutes for Health Sciences as chief business officer.
• As a member of the executive team, Williams will support The Hamner’s mission to collaborate with academia, the private sector, and government to conduct translational research and new educational programs, both of which are designed to improve human health assessments and the development of safer medical treatments.
• As chief business officer, Williams will also pilot and launch a translational medicine accelerator to create additional opportunities for universities, The Hamner, and other research institutions to transfer technologies and spin out new companies, thereby providing greater benefit to society.
• Working in conjunction with the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, the Council for Entrepreneurial Development, and university business schools and entrepreneurial programs, Williams will provide guidance to emerging companies as they develop their initial technology, commercialization, and funding plans.
• Williams has over 25 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, holding senior-level positions at companies such Merck in West Point, Pa., Genentech in South San Francisco, Calif., Amerisource Bergen in Valley Forge, Pa., and CellzDirect in Pittsboro, N.C.
• Prior to joining The Hamner, he served as both volunteer and director at the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, where he helped to develop a business acceleration and technology out-licensing network to support the creation of new life-science companies from university technology-transfer programs throughout the state.
• Williams earned a B.A. in Speech and Hearing Science at the University of Pittsburgh in 1977, graduating summa cum laude.
• A University Scholar and member of Phi Beta Kappa, he also completed graduate courses at Temple University and Carnegie Mellon University.

Quotes:
“We are proud to announce Rick Williams as the chief business officer at The Hamner,” said Dr. William F. Greenlee, president and CEO of The Hamner Institutes for Health Sciences. “His extensive background in the biopharmaceutical industry is a natural fit for our organization as it continues to grow through collaboration with academia, the private sector, and government in the ongoing pursuit of improved public heath.”

About The Hamner Institutes for Health Sciences:
Located on a 56-acre campus in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, The Hamner Institutes for Health Sciences is an independent, nonprofit organization that unites academia, the private sector and government to conduct translational research to improve public health and expedite the development of new medicines. With the ultimate goal of preventing and curing disease, The Hamner offers an open, collaborative and cross-disciplinary approach to strengthen the research investment in biomedical sciences. CIIT, the flagship institute for The Hamner, has been recognized for more than 30 years as a leader in research in environmental risk assessment and health sciences. For more information, please visit www.thehamner.org or call 919-558-1200.

Keywords:
The Hamner for Health Sciences, Nonprofit, Biomedical, Biotechnology, Dr. William F. Greenlee, Dr. Charles E. Hamner, Environmental Risk Assessment , Research Triangle Park, RPT, Pharmaceutical Drug Development, Translational Biomedical Sciences, Public Health, Rick Williams, North Carolina Biotechnology Center, CellzDirect, AmeriSource Bergen, Merck, Genentech

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