Welcome to my first blog post as the new Chief Operating Officer of BIO Ventures for Global Health! I’m very excited to be on board. A few introductory comments. . .  

My commitment to global health comes first from my industry experience and the desire for an evolving career path. I left law firm life more than 15 years ago to join a small biotech company, to become involved in life sciences and help make a difference in the way people live.  Since then I’ve been very fortunate to be with cutting-edge companies, technologies, and products, always with the goal of meeting unmet medical needs for the developed world.  Over time I realized that I wanted to take my industry knowledge and apply it to the unmet needs of the developing world—needs that are of course far more basic, yet are being left behind as the technological advances of the developed world continue. This gap results from many factors, including hugely disproportionate resources, inadequate incentives, the requirements of business models, and limits on access and distribution of current treatments.

I have been energized by the advent of “venture philanthropy” and a novel, results-driven approach to philanthropic effort.  This has created a new impetus for addressing not just global health but any number of social issues which are critical for the future of the planet:  education, literacy, and environmental conservation are just a few of what are now perceived as solvable rather than intractable, inevitable challenges.  The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has taken a giant leadership role in this regard (full disclosure:  they are a significant funder of BVGH’s activities).

So BVGH offered me a unique opportunity:  to use my industry background and training to help bring biotechnology innovations to the unmet needs of the developing world.  We address some of the “gap” factors described above in ways that are consistent with the business models, missions, and priorities not only of the biopharma community, but of global health organizations, PDPs, and funders. We intend to connect, communicate, and create information, ideas, and incentives to bridge the innovation gap.

I also joined BVGH through inspiration from my kids, whose world view is shaping my own.  They see the world without limits, without borders or boundaries, in their friendships; their communities; and their responsibilities.  I hope to live up to that ideal too.  More soon!

Don Joseph is the COO of BIO Ventures for Global Health