Chandra Ramanathan is a biopharmaceutical executive with extensive experience translating scientific ideas into treatment options & access for patients with high medical needs. He's led several initiatives across pharma, biotech, startups, & academia from early stage discovery programs to launching new products. Chandra has deep subject matter expertise across various therapeutic areas & experience in different modalities from small molecules to complex biologics including cell & gene therapy. Currently, he is the Head of External Innovation, Life Sciences Innovation Group, at Danaher Corporation. He is responsible for building and executing on external innovation strategies, including the Danaher Beacons. Previously, Chandra held various leadership positions over 12 years at Bayer. Most recently, he was the Global Head of Pharma R&D Open Innovation, where he led Open Innovation Centers (OICs) around the world (US, Europe, Japan, China, & Singapore), which focus on early access to breakthrough technologies, management of strategic alliances, & public-private partnerships. Key accomplishments include the establishment of a new innovation center & approval of a Cell & Gene Therapy Incubator in Cambridge (Investment value: $200+ Million). Chandra’s past roles at Bayer include Head of Open Innovation Center North America-East, Global Program Lead for External Innovation/Life Sciences, Global Launch Team Leader (Aliqopa), & Head of Global Oncology Pipeline Marketing. Previously, he worked at Wyeth (Pfizer) & BMS in various roles in Drug Discovery, Applied Genomics, & Business Development & Licensing. Chandra earned an MBA from Columbia Business School, a PhD in Genomics/ Bioinformatics, an MS in Medicinal Chemistry, & a BS in Pharmacy. He's an adjunct assistant professor at Tufts School of Medicine, is on the Board of Directors of MassBio, & is an Innovation, Development & Entrepreneurial Advisory Board Member at John Hopkins University.