Christine Ward (Chris) is a purpose-driven pharmaceutical Research & Development leader with 20+ years of experience developing small molecule, biologic, and cell therapy therapeutics in roles spanning Drug Discovery, Precision & Translational Medicine, and Global Medical Affairs in multiple therapeuticareas (Oncology, Respiratory, Autoimmunity, Inflammation, and Infectious Diseases) – 9 years at Johnson & Johnson, 5 years at MedImmune/AstraZeneca, 5 years at Bristol Myers Squibb, and almost 2 years at Takeda. Chris has spent the last 15+ years honing her passion and skills in Precision and Translational Medicine to enhance drug development decisions through driving a better understanding about how drugs work, in identifying patient sub-groups where drugs work best, and in developing and launching companion diagnostics.

Chris has contributed to the development, approval, and/or post-marketing medical support of 8 marketed drugs (Opdivo^®, Yervoy^®, Sprycel^®, Empliciti^® and Orencia®at Bristol Myers Squibb; FASENRA^®and TEZSPIRE^® at AstraZeneca; and Exkivity^® at Takeda), and 20+ programs in various stages of discovery and development. Chris is currentlyVice President and Head of Oncology and Cell Therapy Precision & Translational Medicine at Takeda Pharmaceutical Company in Cambridge, Massachusetts since June 2020 where she is currently building an end-to-end Precision & Translational Medicine function in theOncology Therapeutic Area Unit.

Chris received her PhD in Immunology and Infectious Diseases from Virginia Tech and completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas TX.