BioNJ Hosts 33rd Annual Dinner Meeting, Elects New Board Officers and Trustees
On February 5, BioNJ celebrated its 33rd Annual Dinner Meeting at the Hilton in East Brunswick, New Jersey. The event showcased the dynamic progress of the state's life sciences sector, featuring a keynote address from New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill. The ceremony brought together a multitude of industry professionals to commemorate achievements, acknowledge notable contributions in the field, and facilitate networking opportunities among peers.
During the gala, BioNJ announced its newly elected officers for 2026. Christopher Cozic, who is the Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer at Genmab, was elected unanimously as the new Chair. He succeeds Emer Leahy, Ph.D., MBA, who has held the position over the past two years. Leahy now transitions to the role of Immediate Past Chair. This election reflects BioNJ's commitment to strong leadership and continuity as it navigates the evolving landscape of life sciences.
In his acceptance speech, Cozic expressed gratitude for Leahy’s contributions, stating, "We are deeply grateful for Dr. Leahy's stewardship and unwavering commitment to BioNJ over these past two years. During her chairpersonship, she strengthened our voice, expanded our reach, and championed innovation that drove tangible policy and legislative progress across New Jersey." His focus will be on uniting industry stakeholders around common goals, ensuring that New Jersey remains a leader in life sciences innovation.
Additional officers elected include Michael Schoen from BeOne Medicines as Vice Chair, Christopher Mortko as Treasurer from Merck Corporate Licensing, and Susan L. Levinson from BioAegis Therapeutics as Secretary. Each officer brings a wealth of experience and a vision to further enhance the innovative ecosystem in New Jersey.
The meeting also saw the election of several new Board members, including Mary Elizabeth Blake from Amicus Therapeutics, Kevin Hamill from Johnson & Johnson, Christine Kingsbury from Ascendis Pharma, Allyson McMillan-Youngblood from Acadia Pharmaceuticals, and Martin Whalen from Bristol Myers Squibb. These individuals will contribute their diverse expertise and insights into the BioNJ agenda, which aims to support members in delivering life-saving medicines to patients worldwide.
In her remarks, Debbie Hart, President and CEO of BioNJ, emphasized the importance of the newly elected leaders during a pivotal time for the industry. She stated, "We look forward to working with incoming Chair Chris Cozic to support our Members during this pivotal time for the industry — one that demands unity, resilience, and bold leadership to advance progress for Patients." Hart’s acknowledgment of Cozic’s talents highlights an optimistic trajectory for the organization in the coming years.
BioNJ continues to be a central figure in advocating for patient needs, promoting innovation, and leading collaborative efforts across various sectors in the life sciences community. With a robust agenda aimed at ensuring patients have access to innovative therapies, BioNJ seeks to foster a vibrant community that drives advancements in healthcare.
As the evening progressed, attendees engaged in spirited discussions and networking opportunities, reflecting the community's collective dedication to improving patient outcomes and the life sciences industry as a whole. The successful event not only celebrated past achievements but also inspired a renewed commitment to future collaboration and innovation. BioNJ remains steadfast in its mission to be the voice of the life sciences sector in New Jersey, ensuring that patients receive prompt access to groundbreaking treatments and care.
The cohesive energy at this event highlighted the importance of unity among stakeholders in the life sciences field, propelling efforts to nurture innovation and foster partnerships that can bring forth significant advancements. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation for what lies ahead in BioNJ's journey as they strive to bridge gaps between innovation, industry, and patient care, reinforcing New Jersey's stature on the global stage of life sciences.
During the gala, BioNJ announced its newly elected officers for 2026. Christopher Cozic, who is the Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer at Genmab, was elected unanimously as the new Chair. He succeeds Emer Leahy, Ph.D., MBA, who has held the position over the past two years. Leahy now transitions to the role of Immediate Past Chair. This election reflects BioNJ's commitment to strong leadership and continuity as it navigates the evolving landscape of life sciences.
In his acceptance speech, Cozic expressed gratitude for Leahy’s contributions, stating, "We are deeply grateful for Dr. Leahy's stewardship and unwavering commitment to BioNJ over these past two years. During her chairpersonship, she strengthened our voice, expanded our reach, and championed innovation that drove tangible policy and legislative progress across New Jersey." His focus will be on uniting industry stakeholders around common goals, ensuring that New Jersey remains a leader in life sciences innovation.
Additional officers elected include Michael Schoen from BeOne Medicines as Vice Chair, Christopher Mortko as Treasurer from Merck Corporate Licensing, and Susan L. Levinson from BioAegis Therapeutics as Secretary. Each officer brings a wealth of experience and a vision to further enhance the innovative ecosystem in New Jersey.
The meeting also saw the election of several new Board members, including Mary Elizabeth Blake from Amicus Therapeutics, Kevin Hamill from Johnson & Johnson, Christine Kingsbury from Ascendis Pharma, Allyson McMillan-Youngblood from Acadia Pharmaceuticals, and Martin Whalen from Bristol Myers Squibb. These individuals will contribute their diverse expertise and insights into the BioNJ agenda, which aims to support members in delivering life-saving medicines to patients worldwide.
In her remarks, Debbie Hart, President and CEO of BioNJ, emphasized the importance of the newly elected leaders during a pivotal time for the industry. She stated, "We look forward to working with incoming Chair Chris Cozic to support our Members during this pivotal time for the industry — one that demands unity, resilience, and bold leadership to advance progress for Patients." Hart’s acknowledgment of Cozic’s talents highlights an optimistic trajectory for the organization in the coming years.
BioNJ continues to be a central figure in advocating for patient needs, promoting innovation, and leading collaborative efforts across various sectors in the life sciences community. With a robust agenda aimed at ensuring patients have access to innovative therapies, BioNJ seeks to foster a vibrant community that drives advancements in healthcare.
As the evening progressed, attendees engaged in spirited discussions and networking opportunities, reflecting the community's collective dedication to improving patient outcomes and the life sciences industry as a whole. The successful event not only celebrated past achievements but also inspired a renewed commitment to future collaboration and innovation. BioNJ remains steadfast in its mission to be the voice of the life sciences sector in New Jersey, ensuring that patients receive prompt access to groundbreaking treatments and care.
The cohesive energy at this event highlighted the importance of unity among stakeholders in the life sciences field, propelling efforts to nurture innovation and foster partnerships that can bring forth significant advancements. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation for what lies ahead in BioNJ's journey as they strive to bridge gaps between innovation, industry, and patient care, reinforcing New Jersey's stature on the global stage of life sciences.
Topics Health）
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