Jeffrey Leiden

Dr. Jeff Leiden is the Executive Chairman of Vertex Pharmaceuticals since April 2020. Previously he served as CEO and President since February 2012, and has served as a member of Vertex's board of directors since 2009. Jeff Leiden brings to Vertex more than 30 years of scientific, commercial and financial experience in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries and clinical experience in academia as a practicing cardiologist and molecular biologist. Previously, Jeff Leiden served as a Managing Director for Clarus Ventures, a life sciences venture capital firm he joined in 2006. In 2000, he joined Abbott Laboratories as President and Chief Operating Officer where he had responsibility for running Abbott’s global pharmaceuticals business. While at Abbott, Jeff Leiden helped launch multiple breakthrough medicines, including Humira for rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases and Kaletra for HIV infection, among others. He also served as a member of the Board of Directors of Abbott Laboratories from 2001 to 2006. Jeff Leiden began his career in academia as a practicing cardiologist and molecular biologist. From 1987 to 2000, Dr. Leiden held several academic appointments, including roles as Chief of Cardiology at the University of Chicago and Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. During his academic career, Dr. Leiden was also involved in starting several biotechnology companies including Vical and Cardiogene. Jeff Leiden held a number of board positions for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, including the role of non-executive Vice Chairman for Shire Pharmaceuticals plc. He was also a member of the Board of Directors of Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. He is an elected member of both the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences. Jeff Leiden received his M.D., Ph.D. and B.A. degrees from the University of Chicago.